BWW Reviews: HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS Brings Joy to DFW

As the only true classic American Christmas book, Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" has been recreated in different variations from the animated 1966 TV short to the Jim Carey 2000 film, but in 1994 a 4-D version popped up on-stage in Minneapolis' Children's Theatre Company, before heading to Broadway. The show started a national tour in 2008, with Stefan Karl as the title role. 5 years later, Karl is still stealing Christmas: this time at Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.

"My favorite part about being in this show is the joy of the audience," said Karl. "Everybody knows the story, but seeing the kids' faces, I love that. To them it's an adventure; all they know is the iPhones and movies, the biggest experience they get in movies is 3-D, but this is 4-D. They can see everything for real, they can smell the smoke, and they think 'wow, this is amazing!' It's so important that we do a good job because this is their first theater experience, and if we give a good performance, then they're gonna come back to the theater and they're gonna love it, and it's gonna be apart of their lives to go to the theater. "

Entertaining an audience of kids has been a part of Karl's life since 2004 when he debuted the villainous 'Robbie Rotten' in "Lazy Town," and it shows. During the HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS kids ate his performance up. Looking around the audience there were little kids everywhere looking to their parents with excitement shinning in their eyes when the Grinch sang "One of a Kind" and cowering in fear anytime he yelled at Young Max (played by Andreas Wyder). Karl is the embodiment of a method actor, really using every part of his being to bring this character to life. At one point during the performance he even went off script to interact with a few kids that yelled out to him. "In theater, you are in direct contact with the people," he said. "If a child screams his lungs out at the Grinch, you can't ignore it, you have to react."

Bob Lauder gives a heartfelt performance as Old Max while he narrates the show recalling the memory of the time the Grinch's heart grew three sizes, before leaving Whoville forever. We are then introduced to the annoyingly cheerful Whos as they sing "Who Likes Christmas?" Papa Who, Mama Who, Grandpa Who, and Grandma Who (played by Vincent DiPeri, Tara Tagliaferro, David Thorton, and Katy Vaughn repectively) portray grown-up Whos as I came to know them through the book and animated version, cheerful souls who love the Christmas spirit, and want to make it a special day for the kids. While shopping they sing an old adage that is said a lot by parents this time of year; "It's not how much we spend, but the thought that counts."

The Who kids however, offer a dark undertone to the musical. An undertone that I only picked up on when Karl mentioned to me that he thinks the story is based off Dr. Seuss own views on how we ruined the meaning of Christmas. "It's not about the presents, or the roast beasts, it's about family, it's about the togetherness. But we've commercialized it into capitalism with the "Coca-Cola Santa" and that's what Dr. Seuss is trying to tell us when he says 'maybe Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe it means a little bit more'," Karl said even adding that the holiday isn't a big thing at his house.

While the little tots are obsessed with what toys they are going to get and the good food they are going to eat, little Cindy-Lou Who (played by Piper Birney that night, but alternating with Jenna Iacono) serves as a light into what the holiday should be about; spending time with the people who mean something to you. As Cindy starts to thaw out Grinch's col exterior, Birney proves that big talent can come in very small packages. My prediction is that in another 10-15 years, this little girl is going to be a big star.

With the stage looking as if it came straight out of the book and onto the stage, it felt like you were there in Whoville, especially when "snow" came down from the ceiling and onto the audience towards the end. The songs are very catchy and fun and at one point there's an audience sing-a-long with the iconic "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch." With the exception of the iconic songs "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas" written by Albert Hague, Timothy Mason writes the songs and book with music accompaniment by Mel Marvin.

I'm a big supporter of getting young kids to the theater, and this is a show they will love and grow up with for years to come, the show is also sure to put you in the holiday spirit. HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS is at Bass Hall until Sunday the 24th. You can get tickets either at www.basshall.com or call the box office at 817-212-4280. While you are at it, you can get a package of tickets for the other five shows for the Broadway at the Bass season.

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