Burke Moses Stars as 'THE GRINCH', Opening Tonight at The Old Globe

The Old Globe presents its 17th annual production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The holiday musical will run on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre,part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, now through December 27. Opening night is tonight, November 20 at 7:00 p.m.

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' 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.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for its 17th 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.

Burke Moses makes his Old Globe debut as The Grinch. He made his Broadway debut as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls and then went on to create the role of Gaston in the New York, Los Angeles, and West End productions of Disney's mega-hit Beauty and the Beast. He also starred on Broadway in Kiss Me, Kate and Sondheim's Frogs and Off Broadway in The Most Happy Fella, Li'l Abner, and The Fantasticks.

Returning to alternate in the role of Cindy-Lou Who are Taylor Coleman of Carmel Valley and Gabriella Dimmick of La Mesa. Coleman recently played Minnie in Annie Get Your Gun at San Diego Musical Theatre and also performs with the Royal Academy of Performing Arts, seen numerous times at Mandeville Auditorium. Dimmick was most recently seen as Molly in Annie Jr. at Actors' Conservatory Theatre - San Diego and Gretl in The Sound of Music at San Diego Musical Theatre. She has danced with California Ballet Company for several years, appearing in their productions of The Nutcracker (2010-2012), Dracula, and Alice in Wonderland.

Three-time San Diego Critics Circle Award winner Steve Gunderson returns as Old Max and marks his 12th appearance in The Grinch at the Globe. His Off Broadway credits include Suds: The Rocking '60s Musical Soap Opera, Forever Plaid, Back to Bacharach and David, Butley,and Street Scene. Returning as Young Max is Jeffrey Schecter, who previously appeared at the Globe in the world premiere musical Robin and the 7 Hoods. His extensive Broadway credits include Nice Work If You Can Get It, Anything Goes, A Chorus Line, and The Pajama Game, among others.

Rounding out the cast of The Grinch are Robert J. Townsend (Papa Who), Bets Malone (Mama Who), Geno Carr(Grandpa Who), Nancy Snow Carr (Grandma Who), Katelyn Katz and Alexis Rae Tenney (Annie Who), Brooke Henderson and Mikaela Celeste Villalpando(Betty-Lou Who), Noah Baird and Elliot Weaver (Boo Who), and Jordi Bertran and Imahni King-Murillo (Danny Who) with Ensemble members Luke Babbitt, Josh Bradford, Nathan Conlan,Sophia Dimmick, Savannah Rae Farmer, David Kirk Grant, Kyrsten Hafso-Koppman, Jacob Haren, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Hourie Klijian, Cady Mariano, Dylan Nalbandian, Nathan Andrew Riley, Lexy Sakrekoff, Jill Townsend, andKelsey Venter, as well as James Vásquez (Swing).

This season's production features Musical Direction by Elan McMahan, 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),Caparelliotis Casting (Casting), and Leila Knox (Stage Manager).

Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office.

Photo Credit: Jim Cox

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