Complete Cast Announced for DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS at the Old Globe

The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for the Globe's 15th 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, Nov. 17 – Dec. 29. Previews run from Nov. 17 – Nov. 23. Opening night is Nov. 23 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. Ticket prices start at $37 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.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for its 15th 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.

"No Old Globe tradition is more beloved than our annual production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" said Managing Director Michael G. Murphy. "This season's 15th Anniversary production is a milestone that would not have been possible without the support of Audrey Geisel, a champion of the arts in San Diego. Thanks to Theodor Geisel's creativity and Audrey's vision and friendship, tens of thousands of children have been introduced to the magic of live theatre through The Grinch."

As previously announced, Steve Blanchard reprises his role as The Grinch, which he played last year in his Globe debut. Blanchard has appeared on Broadway in Beauty and the Beast, Camelot, The Three Musketeers and A Christmas Carol and can be heard on the original recordings of Johnny Guitar, Sundown, Frankenstein and Northbound Train.

Alternating in the role of Cindy-Lou Who are Caitlin McAuliffe of Poway and Lilith Freund of University City. McAuliffe played Cindy-Lou Who in last year's production, and she has performed locally at Moonlight Amphitheatre, Starlight Musical Theatre and Birch North Park Theatre. Freund has appeared in numerous productions of The Nutcracker in San Diego and on the television show "I Kid with Brad Garrett."

Local favorite Steve Gunderson returns as Old Max and marks his 10th 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. Jason Edward Cook plays Young Max, following his recent appearances in With Glee Off Broadway, Big River at PlayMakers Repertory Company and Academy at the New York Musical Theatre Festival.

Rounding out the cast of The Grinch are Geno Carr (Papa Who), Kelsey Venter (Mama Who), Phil Johnson (Grandpa Who), Amanda Naughton (Grandma Who), Annie Buckley and Kaitlyn O'Leary (Annie Who), Sydney Rose Horowitz and Madison Pyle (Betty-Lou Who), Dylan Nalbandian and Jordi Bertran (Boo Who) and Aaron Acosta and Liam James Brandt (Danny Who) with Luke Babbitt, Ava Marie Bunn, Jacob Caltrider, Nancy Snow Carr, Kevin Davison, Sophia Dimmick, Randall Dodge, Katrina Heil, Brooke Henderson, Kyle J. Johnson, Gabi Leibowitz, Alison Grace Norwood, Carly Nykanen, Allison Spratt Pearce, Avalon Robbins and Maxine Sutton (Ensemble).

This season's production features Musical Direction by Charlie Reuter, 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 Old Globe will offer an autism-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on Saturday, Dec. 15 at 10:30 a.m. Following in the footsteps of successful autism-friendly performances of The Lion King and Mary Poppins on Broadway, The Grinch will be performed in a friendly and supportive environment for children on the autism spectrum and their families. Slight adjustments will be made to the production including fewer loud noises and flashing lights that may be challenging for some audience members. Additional features will also help make the experience safer and more enjoyable for children with autism and other sensitivity issues, including a pre-show visit to the Globe to familiarize children with the theatre; 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. Theatre Development Fund's (TDF) Autism Theatre Initiative serves as an advisor for The Old Globe's autism-friendly Grinch performance (www.tdf.org/autism).

The seventh annual Globe Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Sunday, Nov. 18 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 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. Although the event is free, reservations are required. Reservations will be available exclusively to Globe subscribers through Nov. 10, and remaining reservations will be available to the public on Nov. 11. Reservations can be made by contacting the Box Office at (619) 23-GLOBE or Tickets@TheOldGlobe.org.

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is supported in part through gifts from Production Sponsors Audrey Geisel, SDG&E, Bank of America, Gloria and Dick Rasmussen and Random House Children's Books. Additional support is provided by KPMG.

Steve Blanchard returns to The Old Globe as the title character in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, which he played last year in his Globe debut. He 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 of 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 Pippin, the world premiere of Harmony, Kansas, Next Fall and the West Coast premieres of [title of show], Fair Use and Twist (Diversionary Theatre), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Cygnet) and Into the Woods (New Village Arts). He also served as choreographer for the Cygnet productions of Little Shop of Horrors and A Little Night Music. 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's latest feature, That's What She Said starring Anne Heche, made its world premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival and opened in theaters this past October.

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. 17 and continue through Dec. 29. Ticket prices start at $37 for adults and $24 for children (17 years and under). Performance times: Previews: Saturday, Nov. 17 at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 18 at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 7:00 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 23 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: Wednesday, Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. (there is no 7:00 p.m. performance that day), Monday, Dec. 24 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 26 at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 27 at 5:00 p.m. (there is no 7:00 p.m. performance that day) and Friday, Dec. 28 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. 29. There are no performances on Thanksgiving (Nov. 22), Nov. 27, Nov. 30, Dec. 7 and Christmas (Dec. 25).

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