Photo Flash: Steve Blanchard Leads The Old Globe's HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!

The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for the Globe's 14th annual production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The annual holiday musical, directed by James Vásquez with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, will run in the Old Globe Theatre Nov. 19 - Dec. 31. Previews run from Nov. 19 - Nov. 25. Opening night is Nov. 25 at 7:00 p.m. Steve Blanchard will make his Globe debut as the cantankerous title character. Ticket prices start at $39 for adults and $24 for children (17 years and under). Performances are restricted to children 3 years and up except for the 11:00 a.m. performances for which tickets can be purchased for children of all ages. Everyone must have a ticket. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office.

See just released publicity photos below!

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for its 14th 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 addition to Blanchard, the cast features Logan Lipton (Young Max), Steve Gunderson (Old Max), Remy Margaret Corbin and Caitlin McAuliffe (Cindy-Lou Who), Geno Carr (Papa Who), Kelsey Venter (Mama Who), Phil Johnson (Grandpa Who), Amanda Naughton (Grandma Who), Annie Buckley and Madison Pyle (Annie Who), Gabriela Leibowitz and Natasha Partnoy (Betty-Lou Who), Luke Babbitt and Dylan Nalbandian (Boo Who), Aaron Acosta and Jonas McMullen (Danny Who) with Liam James Brandt, Jacob Caltrider, Nancy Snow Carr, Nikki Castillo, Kevin Davison, Danielle Dawson, Julia Dawson, Madi Rae DiPietro, Randall Dodge, A.J. Foggiano, Meredith Inglesby, Kyle J. Jackson, Dylan Mulvaney, Carly Nykanen, Emma Rasse and Blue Schroeder (Ensemble).

The original production of Dr. Seuss' 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. This season's production features Musical Direction by Ron Colvard, Additional Choreography by Bob Richard 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) and Leila Knox (Stage Manager).

The sixth annual Globe Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Sunday, Nov. 20 at 6:00 p.m. on the Globe's Copley Plaza. The ceremony will kick off the holiday season in conjunction with the presentation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Designed by Grinch scenic designer John Lee Beatty, the unique tree will be located in the center of the Globe Plaza and will remain for the run of the show. This fun family event will feature a special live performance by members of the Grinch cast and a delightful holiday snowfall on the Globe Plaza. Tickets to this free event are limited but may be obtained by subscribers and are included with the tickets to the Nov. 20 performance at 4:30 p.m.

Steve Blanchard has appeared on Broadway in Beauty and the Beast, Camelot, The Three Musketeers and A Christmas Carol. His National Tours include Little House on the Prairie, Camelot, The Phantom of the Opera, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Hans Christian Andersen. His Off Broadway credits include Johnny Guitar, Frankenstein, Treasure Island and Moby Dick. His television credits include "Law & Order," "Third Watch," "Cupid," "Ed," Sunset Beat, "Police Story," Rap Master Ronnie: A Report Card, "Guiding Light," "One Life to Live" and "Another World." He can be heard on the original recordings of Johnny Guitar, Sundown, Frankenstein and Northbound Train.

James Vásquez has recreated the original musical staging of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! since 2003. Recently at the Globe he directed Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show, served as Associate Director on Jane Austen's Emma - A Musical Romantic Comedy and provided musical staging for Boeing-Boeing. He won the 2010 Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Direction for Sweeney Todd (Cygnet Theatre Company). His recent directing credits include the West Coast Premieres of [title of show], Fair Use and Twist (Diversionary Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (choreographer), A Little Night Music (choreographer) and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Cygnet) and Into the Woods (New Village Arts). Along with his partners Mark Holmes and Carrie Preston, Vásquez is co-founder of Daisy 3 Pictures. Their first two feature films, 29th and Gay (TLA Releasing, Here TV) and Ready? OK! (Wolfe Video, LOGO) have played national and international film festivals, with Ready? OK! taking top honors in Seattle, North Carolina and San Diego. Daisy 3 recently completed its latest feature, That's What She Said starring Anne Heche. As an actor, Vásquez has appeared on film, television, Off Broadway and regional and local stages. He is a graduate of The Juilliard School.

Tickets to Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! 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. Performances begin on Nov. 19 and continue through Dec. 31. Ticket prices start at $39 for adults and $24 for children (17 years and under). Performance times: Previews: Saturday, Nov. 19 at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 20 at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 23 at 7:00 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 25 at 2:00 p.m. Regular Performances: Tuesday - Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Additional performances: Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 22 at 2:00 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23 at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (there is no 7:00 p.m. performance that day), Monday, Dec. 26 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 29 at 5:00 p.m. (there is no 7:00 p.m. performance that day) and Friday, Dec. 30 at 5:00 p.m. (there is no 7:00 p.m. performance that day). There is no 5:00 p.m. performance on Saturday, Dec. 31. There are no performances on Thanksgiving (Nov. 24), Nov. 29, Dec. 2, and Christmas (Dec. 25).

Photo Credit: Henry DiRocco

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