Sixth Annual Sensory-Friendly Performance of DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! Announced

Hundreds of San Diego families who can enjoy the family-friendly and supportive environment for children and adults on the autism spectrum and with other special needs, along with local San Diego support organizations. Globe spokespersons will include Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Timothy J. Shields, and the Globe's advisor for these performances, UCSD professor Lisa Porter.

They will be happy to discuss the Globe's efforts to once again share the magic of theatre with all families in San Diego with sensory-friendly performances. Through this performance, families can experience art and entertainment together in a safe and fun way, an experience that isn't always easy to come by. Longtime theatre-lovers and those new to the arts can share their passion with their children, with some returning for their sixth year in a new family tradition. The Globe wants to make theatre matter to all of San Diego!

What: A sensory-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Slight adjustments to the production include fewer loud noises and flashing lights that may be challenging for some audience members, and additional features that help make the experience safer and more enjoyable for children with sensitivity issues, including an online social story available to view and print at home that will outline in words and pictures the experience of a visit to the Globe; a quiet area in the lobby of the theatre; and on-site volunteers to assist families as needed.

Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, Copley Plaza; for families arriving and post-show responses, and the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, for brief b-roll and audience reaction. Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way Directions: http://bit.ly/1bjQ9qP

Saturday, December 9; 10:30 a.m. performance; 10:00 am families arrive; all cameras interested in going into the theatre for footage must be on the Plaza by 10:15 a.m. Perf ends at 12:00 noon.

Back for its 20th incredible year, the family favorite features the songs "Santa for a Day," "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," and "Welcome, Christmas (Fah Who Doraze)," the delightful carol from the popular animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash.

In August 2014 the Globe was delighted to offer an autism-friendly Into the Woods as well, and we will be adding a sensory-friendly performance of the upcoming Dr. Seuss's The Lorax in the summer of 2018!

The Old Globe's 20th annual production of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! runs on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, through December 24. The Grinch is directed by James Vásquez with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin. The original production of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! was conceived and directed by Jack O'Brien with Additional Lyrics by Theodor S. Geisel, Additional Music by Albert Hague, and original choreography by John DeLuca.

Edward Watts makes his Globe debut as The Grinch (Broadway's Scandalous and Finian's Rainbow, national tours of The Book of Mormon, Les Misérables, and The Little Mermaid. Abigail Estrella alternates in the role of Cindy-Lou Who with Reese McCulloch, with both making their Globe debuts. Two-time San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award winner Steve Gunderson returns as Old Max and marks his 15th appearance in The Grinch at the Globe. Dan DeLuca, making his Globe debut, scales Mt. Crumpit as Young Max (first national tour of Newsies).

Rounding out the cast of The Grinch are Robert J. Townsend (Papa Who), Bets Malone (Mama Who), Larry Raben (Grandpa Who), Nancy Snow Carr (Grandma Who), Josette Candelaria and Viviana Peji (Annie Who), Taylor Coleman and Faith Nibbe (Betty-Lou Who), Charlie Garton and John Perry Wishchuk (Boo Who), and Giovanni Cozic and Levi Laddon (Danny Who). The ensemble comprises Gavin August, Emily Sade Bautista, Jacob Caltrider, Sadie Tess Coleman, Elisa Guerra, Kyrsten Hafso Koppman, Hayden Hartpence, Corey Jones, Breanna Laureti, Lindsay Mains, Lauen Livia Muehl, Kayla Pak, Daebreon Poiema, Claire Scheper, Edred Utomi, and Kelsey Venter, as well as James Vásquez (Swing).

This season's production features Additional Choreography by Bob Richard, Musical Direction by Elan McMahan, and Restaged Choreography by James Vásquez. The Grinch creative team also includes John Lee Beatty (Scenic Design), Robert Morgan (Costume Design), Pat Collins (Lighting Design), Paul Peterson (Sound Design), Anita Ruth (Orchestrator), Joshua Rosenblum (Vocal Arrangements and Incidental Music), David Krane (Dance Music Arranger), Caparelliotis Casting (Casting), and Leila Knox (Production Stage Manager).

Tickets to the sensory-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas are available by phone or in person only. Ticket prices for this performance only start at $37 for adults and $24 for children (17 years and under); but availability at this time is extremely limited. Children under age 3 will be admitted to 11:00 a.m. performances only, which are open to all ages. At the 11:00 a.m. performances only, children under the age of two are free, but must occupy the same seat and sit on the lap of a parent or guardian in attendance. Regardless of age, each audience member, including babies in arms, must have a ticket to be admitted into the theatre. Tickets for all other performances can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park.

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