The Grinch still rules at The Old Globe

During a recent performance of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, the green meanie himself was just about to recite a line when a little girl from the audience cried out “The Grinch!” Not missing a beat, Grinch Steve Blanchard improvised: “She knows whose name’s printed on the ticket.”

That young theatergoer’s exclamation makes a couple of salient points about this holiday musical, now in its 14th year at The Old Globe. First, the Grinch is unquestionably the star of the show, which lags (especially for squirmy kids) when he’s off stage. And second, Blanchard, making his debut as the Grinch, is an inspired choice for the title role. He’s benignly menacing, sufficiently athletic and funny in ways that will delight all ages. Everyone else—even Max the dog, both young and old versions—is a straight man in this production. Blanchard manages to be sincerely grinchy while at the same time letting us all know—well, at least the adults in the theater— that he’s in on the joke.

James Vasquez (last gig: Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, also at the Globe) directs this year’s Grinch, which has a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin. As always, it’s a festive cartoon-come-to-life, with imaginative sets by John Lee Beatty, Seussian costumes by Robert Morgan and very merry dancing and singing.

The show’s most famous song, of course, is “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” with “Welcome Christmas” (both are holdovers from the 1966 TV cartoon) a close second. That said, Blanchard earns laughs with “I Hate Christmas Eve” and “One of a Kind.” The numbers set in Whoville, sans Grinch, feel routine. Even at her cutest, Cindy-Lou Who is no match for the Grinch when it comes to stage presence, and a child, be she ever so talented, is not going to hold us spellbound with her singing.

The challenges of this show from the beginning had to be how to get 90 minutes of story out of a 69-page children’s book and how to honor the beloved TV cartoon without merely reproducing it. The Globe must be doing something right—14 years speaks for itself. It helps to have the right guy in the green suit. This Grinch absolutely does.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! runs through Dec. 31 at The Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park. $24-$57. oldglobe.org

Write to davidc@sdcitybeat.com and editor@sdcitybeat.com.

Opening

Kick the Dickens Out of the Holidays: Six original one-act comedies, presented by Celebrationworks Theatre, are designed to ease the stress of the season. Opens Dec. 23 at Seaside Center in Encinitas. $7. celebrationworks@gmail.com

Now Playing

Emilia’s Sugarplum Nightmare: The Three Kings encounter St. Nick in a musical comedy produced by Talent to aMuse Theatre Co. Through Dec. 22 at Liberty Hall Theatre in National City. $12-$18. talenttoamuse.com

An American Christmas: The Hotel del Coronado’s ballroom is the setting for an evening of holiday music, dance, comedy and food, presented by Lamb’s Players Theatre. Through Dec. 24. $115-$160. lambsplayers.org

La Pastorela de Valor: The account of the shepherds’ sojourn to Bethlehem for the birth of the Christ child, from Teatro Mascara Magica. Through Dec. 24 at Lyceum Theatre at Horton Plaza. $10-$15. lyceumevents.org

The Santaland Diaries: Joe Mantello reprises his adaptation of David Sedaris’ essay about an elf working at Macy’s during the holidays. Through Dec. 24 at New Village Arts, Carlsbad. $20. newvillagearts.org

Festival of Christmas: Lamb’s Players Theatre renews an annual family-friendly holiday tradition, with music. Through Dec. 31 at Lamb’s Players Theatre, Coronado. $28-$60. lambsplayers.org

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play: In true holiday tradition, Cygnet Theatre presents the timeless story of George Bailey, as recounted from Studio A of WCYG Radio. Through Dec. 31 at Old Town Theatre. $29-$54. cygnettheatre.com

Jesus Christ Superstar: La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Emeritus Des McAnuff aims to reinvigorate the 40-year-old rock opera, and to some extent (thanks to high-tech staging and a kinetic set) he succeeds. The key players (Jesus, Judas, Mary Magdalene) could use more charisma, but the Tim Rice / Andrew Lloyd Webber songs have lost none of their beauty or ferocity. Through Dec. 31 at La Jolla Playhouse. $58 and up. lajollaplayhouse.org

Jingle Bell Rock: The Alley Cats usher in the holidays with a cappella classics and comedy. Through Dec. 31 at Welk Resort Theatre in Escondido. $48-$73. welktheatresandiego.com

Some Lovers: “The Gift of the Magi” links two lovers, past and present, in this new musical collaboration between Burt Bacharach and Steven (Spring Awakening) Sater. It’s sweet, sentimental and melodious, if on the predictable side. Through Dec. 31 at Old Globe Theatre, Balboa Park. $35 and up. oldglobe.org

Shotgun Wedding Anniversary: How else can a miserable 25-year marriage end but in murder? Presented by Mystery Cafe, it’s ongoing at Imperial House restaurant in Bankers Hill. $59.50, including dinner. mysterycafe.net