J. Bernard Calloway to Return in Title Role of 'THE GRINCH' at The Old Globe; Cast, Creatives Set!

The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for the Globe's 19th 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, November 5 - December 26. Previews run November 5 - November 9. Opening night is November 10 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.

Tickets start at $37 for adults and $24 for children (17 years and under). Children under the age of three will be admitted to 11:00 a.m. performances only, which are open to all ages. At the 11:00 a.m. performances only, children under the age of two are free, but must occupy the same seat and sit on the lap of a parent or guardian in attendance. Regardless of age, each audience member, including babes in arms, must have a ticket to be admitted into the theatre. 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 19th 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.

J. Bernard Calloway returns after making his Globe debut in 2015 as The Grinch. Calloway was an original cast member of two Tony Award-winning shows: Memphis (2010 Best Musical) and All the Way (2014 Best Play). His many Off Broadway and regional credits include The Good Negro (The Public Theater), Dreamgirls (Fox Theatre), The Cider House Rules (Trinity Repertory Company), and the world premiere of Memphis (La Jolla Playhouse).

Returning for her second year is Mikee Castillo, alternating in the role of Cindy-Lou Who with Mia Davila, making her Globe debut. Castillo's recent credits include CATS: A New Day 2015 (California Youth Conservatory) and the independent film Driving While Black (Anthem Films). Davila was recent seen in The Jungle Book (Theatre Arts School of San Diego), Aladdin Jr. (North Coast Repertory Theatre), and Seussical, The Little Mermaid, and Cinderella (STAR Repertory Theatre).

Two-time San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award winner Steve Gunderson returns as Old Max and marks his 14th appearance in The Grinch at the Globe. The local favorite has also been seen Off Broadway in Suds: The Rocking '60s Musical Soap Opera, Forever Plaid, Back to Bacharach and David, Butley, and Street Scene. Tyrone Davis, Jr., making his Globe debut, will scale Mt. Crumpit as Young Max. His extensive Off Broadway credits include Invisible Thread, King Lear, and Coriolanus, and he toured with Shrek The Musical and The Mystery of King Tut.

Rounding out the cast of The Grinch are Robert J. Townsend (Papa Who), Bets Malone (Mama Who), Larry Raben (Grandpa Who), Nancy Snow Carr (Grandma Who), Ava Harris and Hannah Lee (Annie Who), Taylor Coleman and Viviana Peji (Betty-Lou Who), Levi Laddon and John Perry Wishchuk (Boo Who), and Mackernan Jarman and Max Wieczorek (Danny Who); ensemble members Emily Sade Bautista, Jacob Caltrider, Bobby Chiu, Sadie Tess Coleman, Kyrsten Hafso-Koppman, Katrina Heil, Tristan Heil, Brooke Henderson, Selah Howard, Katelyn Katz, Gerry McIntyre, Kennedy Nibbe, Bethany Slomka, Clay Stefanki, Hannah Tasto, and Kelsey Venter; and 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 (Production Stage Manager).

The Old Globe will once again offer a sensory-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on Saturday, December 10 at 10:30 a.m. Following very successful performances the past four years, The Grinch will be performed for children on the autism spectrum and their families, as well as other families with special needs that may appreciate the welcoming and supportive environment this performance provides. 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 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.

The 11th annual Globe Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 13 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 can be made by contacting the Box Office at (619) 23-GLOBE. The Grinch production performances that day will be at 11:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Previously at The Old Globe, James Vásquez directed Rich Girl, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show and provided musical staging for The Comedy of Errors directed by Scott Ellis, Boeing-Boeing, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. With The Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program, he has directed Clybourne Park and last year's world premiere of Acquainted with the Night. He received Craig Noel Award nominations for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for the world premiere of Harmony, Kansas and the West Coast premiere of [title of show] (Diversionary Theatre) and won the award in 2010 for Sweeney Todd (Cygnet Theatre Company). His other recent directing/choreography credits include The Addams Family (Moonlight Stage Productions), West Side Story and Cats (San Diego Musical Theatre), Tell Me on a Sunday (Vista's Broadway Theater), Pippin, the West Coast premiere of Birds of a Feather, and Next Fall (Diversionary), and Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Pageant (Cygnet), as well as developmental workshops at La Jolla Playhouse and Goodspeed Musicals. In 2004, he founded Daisy 3 Pictures with Mark Holmes and Carrie Preston. Their first two feature films, 29th and Gay and Ready? OK!, played national and international film festivals, with Ready? OK! winning Best Feature Film awards in Seattle, North Carolina, and San Diego. Their latest feature film, That's What She Said, made its world premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

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 November 5 and continue through December 26. Ticket prices start at $37 for adults and $24 for children (17 years and under). Children under the age of three will be admitted to 11:00 a.m. performances only, which are open to all ages. At the 11:00 a.m. performances only, children under the age of two are free, but must occupy the same seat and sit on the lap of a parent or guardian in attendance. Regardless of age, each audience member, including babes in arms, must have a ticket to be admitted into the theatre.

Performance times: Previews: Saturday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 9 at 7:00 p.m. Opening Night is Thursday, November 10 at 7:00 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. The sensory-friendly performance is on Saturday, December 10 at 10:30 a.m. (there is no 11:00 a.m. performance that day).

Additional performances: Sunday, Nov. 13 at 4:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 21 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., Friday, Dec. 23 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., and Monday, Dec. 26 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. There is no 2:00 p.m. or 5:00 p.m. performance on Sunday, Nov. 13. There are no 7:00 p.m. performances on Wednesday, Nov. 16, Thursday, Nov. 17, Friday, Nov. 25, Friday, Dec. 2, Wednesday, Dec. 21, and Friday, Dec. 23. There are no performances on Thanksgiving (Nov. 24) or Christmas (Dec. 25). For a complete playing schedule, go to www.theoldglobe.org/pdp/16---17-season/grinch-2016.

KIDS BY CITY:

SAN DIEGO

Black Mountain Ranch (92127) - Mia Davila

Carmel Valley (92130) - Sadie Tess Coleman, Taylor Coleman, Katelyn Katz

Clairemont (92117) - Hannah Tasto

Point Loma (92106) - Max Wieczorek

Scripps Ranch (92131) - John Perry Wishchuk

Serra Mesa (92123) - Mikee Castillo, Viviana Peji

4S Ranch (92127) - Hannah Lee

OTHER

Chula Vista (91913, 91914) - Emily Sade Bautista, Ava Harris

Del Mar (92014) - Bobby Chiu

El Cajon (92020) - Levi Laddon

Escondido (92026) - Selah Howard

La Mesa (91941, 91942) - Brooke Henderson, Mackernan Jarman

Lemon Grove (91945) - Katrina Heil, Tristan Heil

Poway (92064) - Kennedy Nibbe

ABOUT THE CAST/CREATIVE TEAM:

Emily Sade Bautista (Little Who Ensemble, Pink Team) is an 11-year-old sixth grader who is excited to be returning to Whoville after playing Annie Who in last year's production. Most recently she played Baby Louise in Gypsy (Cygnet Theatre Company). Ms. Bautista also had the opportunity to perform the national anthem for Chula Vista Mayor Mary Salas's State of the City address, and she gave solo vocal performances at several other community events. Some of Ms. Bautista's favorite credits include Mouse in A Year with Frog and Toad (Coronado Playhouse/Pickwick Players), Lamb in Charlotte's Web (Pickwick Players), and Mini Lucy/Ginger Blanket in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown as well as Schoolhouse Rock!, Shrek The Musical, and The Little Mermaid (Christian Youth Theater San Diego South County). She is also part of this year's JT on Tour group. She takes private tap, ballet, and jazz and studies voice in her free time. Ms. Bautista would like to thank God, her family, all her supporting friends, and the entire casting team at The Old Globe for this amazing opportunity. Merry Grinchmas!

J. Bernard Calloway (The Grinch) is elated to be spending his holiday season with The Old Globe as The Grinch! On Broadway, Mr. Calloway has been fortunate to be in the original cast of two Tony Award-winning shows: Memphis (2010 Best Musical) and All the Way (2014 Best Play). Regionally he has worked at La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Dallas Theater Center, Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Repertory Theater, Two River Theater, Fox Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, and North Shore Music Theatre as well as Off Broadway at The Public Theater and New York Theatre Workshop, to name a few. His film credits include The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Man on a Ledge, The Girl Is in Trouble, Big Words, and Anesthesia. His television credits include Netflix's "Luke Cage," VH1's The Breaks, "The Good Wife," "Blue Bloods," "Elementary," "White Collar," and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." Love to his wife Carmen Ruby and newborn baby boy Jacob Adam.

Jacob Caltrider (Grown-Up Who Ensemble) previously appeared at the Globe with Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (2011-2013) and Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show. His local credits include Manifest Destinitis and Violet (San Diego Repertory Theatre), West Side Story (San Diego Musical Theatre), The Rocky Horror Show, Spring Awakening, Assassins, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd, and The History Boys (Cygnet Theatre Company), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (North Coast Repertory Theatre), LES MISERABLES, Twelfth Night, Festival of Christmas, and An American Christmas (Lamb's Players Theatre), and Marry Me a Little, Twist, Yank!, and the original casts of Harmony, Kansas and The Daddy Machine (Diversionary Theatre).

Nancy Snow Carr (Grandma Who) is grateful to return to The Grinch for her sixth year. She was also seen at the Globe as Lady Montague in The Last Goodbye directed by Alex Timbers. Her favorite credits include Lina Lamont in Singin' in the Rain (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, New York); the national tours of Phantom and The Buddy Holly Story; Dorothy in the Washington, DC, premiere of Summer of '42 (Round House Theatre); Rona in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Intrepid Theatre Company); and Catherine in The Foreigner (Lamb's Players Theatre). She received a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Elon University and M.F.A. from San Diego State University. She is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. She operates a private studio in San Diego where she offers voice lessons and audition preparation. She is delighted to perform with several of her students and tons of her friends.

Mikee Castillo (Cindy-Lou Who, Red Team) is a nine-year-old fourth grader from Good Shepherd Catholic School who is absolutely thrilled and ecstatic to once again spend her holiday season in Whoville. Ms. Castillo was previously seen as Cindy-Lou Who in last year's Grinch (The Old Globe), Chorus Cat in CATS: A New Day 2015 (California Youth Conservatory), and Sara Borty-Lio's Sister in the independent film Driving While Black (Anthem Films). When not on stage, she loves to spend time singing and dancing, doing all sorts of arts and crafts projects, perfecting her magic tricks, and exploring digital worlds on the computer with her brother Joey. Ms. Castillo feels excited and blessed to be part of this year's Grinch production and is grateful to God, to her family and her friends for their love and support, and especially to her big sister Nikki for her patience, guidance, and encouragement.

Bobby Chiu (Little Who Ensemble, Red Team) is thrilled to make his debut at The Old Globe as a member of the Little Who Ensemble. From a young age, he has enjoyed performing in musicals and ballets. Mr. Chiu has performed in several productions with San Diego's J*Company Youth Theatre, including his most recent roles as Baklava in Aladdin and an orphan in Annie Warbucks. In addition to acting and singing, he loves to dance and recently performed as Officer in Ballet Arte's Cinderella. When he's not performing, Mr. Chiu loves rollerblading and body surfing. He is eight years old and is in the third grade.

Sadie Tess Coleman (Little Who Ensemble, Pink Team) is making her professional theatrical debut at the Globe. She is eight years old and in the third grade at Ocean Air School. She studies tap, ballet, and jazz (Royal Academy of Performing Arts) and is a competitive gymnast (So Cal TTC). She loves playing the ukulele and feeding her sea monkeys. She has spent the past three years watching her sister Taylor in The Grinch and is beyond thrilled to be joining her on stage this season. Ms. Coleman has performed with Intrepid Theatre Company's Young Actors Theatre Camp and Crash Box Entertainment. She loves her older sister Sam, puppies, and hip-hop dancing. She would like to thank the entire production team at The Old Globe for this incredible opportunity. She wishes everyone a Merry Grinchmas!

Taylor Coleman (Betty-Lou Who, Pink Team), aka Tay Tay, is thrilled to be returning to Whoville after playing Cindy-Lou Who the past three years. Most recently she was seen flying as Jane in Peter Pan (Moonlight Stage Productions). Her other favorite roles include Young Fiona in Shrek The Musical and Gracie Shinn in The Music Man (Moonlight Stage Productions) and Minnie Oakley in Annie Get Your Gun (San Diego Musical Theatre). Ms. Coleman is 10 years old and is a fifth grader at Ocean Air School. She plays the piano and violin, studies ballet, tap dancing (Royal Academy of Performing Arts), and acting (Brooke Byler), and is a competitive gymnast (So Cal TTC), but her favorite activity is playing with puppies Newman and Piper. She is supported by her older sister Sam and is excited to be sharing the stage this year with her younger sister Sadie. She would like to thank the entire team at The Old Globe for this insanely awesome opportunity. She wishes everyone a very Happy Whoville Holiday!

Mia Davila (Cindy-Lou Who, Pink Team) is a seven-year-old second grader at Notre Dame Academy. She is blessed and honored to be part of the incredible production that inspired her to pursue musical theatre. Having the opportunity to spend Christmas in Whoville, while making her professional stage debut as Cindy-Lou Who, is a dream come true for her! She enjoys singing, dancing, cheerleading, gymnastics, and soccer, but most of all performing on stage. She has performed in several school productions as well as The Jungle Book (Theatre Arts School of San Diego), Aladdin Jr. (North Coast Repertory Theatre), and Cinderella (STAR Repertory Theatre). She also starred as Cindy-Lou Who in Seussical and as Ursula in training in The Little Mermaid, both at STAR Rep. Ms. Davila thanks Courtney Corey, Kaitlyn O'Leary, and Scott Kolod for always believing in her. She is so grateful to James Vásquez and the entire Grinch production team for this magical opportunity. She also appreciates the love, encouragement, and support from her family and friends to follow her dreams.

Tyrone Davis, Jr. (Young Max) has appeared Off Broadway in Invisible Thread directed by Diane Paulus (Second Stage Theatre), Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe and King Lear (Classical Theatre of Harlem), Coriolanus, The Rape of the Lock, The Loves of Mr. Lincoln, The Drunken City, and Life on the Mississippi. He also appeared in the first national tour of Shrek The Musical directed by Jason Moore and Rob Ashford and the national tour of The Mystery of King Tut. Mr. Davis's regional credits include Witness Uganda (American Repertory Theater), A Civil War Christmas (Center Stage in Baltimore), Amazing Grace (Goodspeed Musicals), Stagger Lee directed by Patricia McGregor (Dallas Theater Center), Lost Boy Found in Whole Foods (Portland Stage), Pure Confidence (Martha's Vineyard Playhouse), and Ain't Misbehavin' directed by André De Shields (Crossroads Theatre Company). His New York workshops and labs include Whorl Inside a Loop with Christina Hendricks, Shuffle Along, Witness Uganda, Amazing Grace, and Before Midnight. Mr. Davis received his B.F.A. from New World School of the Arts/University of Florida.

Steve Gunderson (Old Max) has previously appeared at the Globe in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1999-2000, 2003, 2005, 2007-2015), Suds: The Rocking '60s Musical Soap Opera (also co-writer/arranger), A Trip to Chinatown, and Hadrian VII. He appeared in the national tour of The Grapes of Wrath, and his Off Broadway credits include Butley, Street Scene, Suds, and Back to Bacharach and David. His regional credits include His Girl Friday, The Nightingale, and Memphis (La Jolla Playhouse), Dirty Blonde, Parade, and Sweeney Todd (Cygnet Theatre Company), Romance, Detroit, Miss Witherspoon, and Hairspray (San Diego Repertory Theatre), You Can't Take It with You and An Ideal Husband (Lamb's Players Theatre), Birds of a Feather (Diversionary Theatre), Into the Woods (New Village Arts), and roles at The Colony Theatre Company, Pasadena Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, ALLIANCE THEATRE, North Coast Repertory Theatre, Rubicon Theatre Company, and La Mirada Theatre as well as The Melinda & Steve Show with Melinda Gilb in New York, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Mr. Gunderson and Javier Velasco created Everybody's Talkin': The Music of Harry Nilsson, which had its world premiere last year at San Diego Rep starring Tony Award winners Gregory Jbara and Alice Ripley. For television, he has provided various voices on "King of the Hill" and the new "Beavis and Butt-Head."

Kyrsten Hafso-Koppman (Grown-Up Who Ensemble) previously appeared at The Old Globe in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Chirstmas (2013-2015). Her local credits include Cats (San Diego Musical Theatre), A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Musical (Intrepid Shakespeare Company), American Rhythm, LES MISERABLES, Fiddler on the Roof, Pete 'n' Keely, and Joe vs The Volcano (Lamb's Players Theatre), Sweeney Todd (Moonlight Stage Productions), King o' the Moon (North Coast Repertory Theatre), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Welk Resort Theatre). Ms. Hafso-Koppman recently performed the role of Mary in Respighi's oratorio Laud to the Nativity in Spokane and Seattle. She earned her B.A. in Vocal Performance from Whitworth University and her M.F.A. in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University.

Ava Harris (Annie Who, Red Team) is a fifth grader at Nazareth School San Diego and is delighted to be returning to the Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! cast at The Old Globe. Her past performances include Big River (New Village Arts), Charlotte's Web (Pickwick Players), Annie Jr. (California Youth Conservatory), Summer Sessions Cabaret (Karyn Overstreet Vocal Studio), Beauty and the Beast (Christian Youth Theater San Diego Central), The Wizard of Oz (Nazareth School), and December Nights (Balboa Park). She has been a student with Karyn Overstreet Vocal Studios for the past three years. Ms. Harris would like to thank director James Vásquez for the amazing opportunity to return to Whoville. Love and hugs go to her twin brother Miles, parents, family, and friends, who continue to support her. Last but not least, thank you to Roxy, her Goldendoodle, for all of the puppy love.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country's leading professional regional theatres and has stood as San Diego's flagship arts institution for over 80 years. Under the leadership of Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 productions of classic, contemporary, and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre and the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, both part of The Old Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, and the 605-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 250,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theatre's artistic and arts engagement programs. Numerous world premieres such as the 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Bright Star, Allegiance, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and the annual holiday musical Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theatres across the country.

Pictured: The cast of the 2015 production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The 19th annual production of the annual holiday musical, directed by James Vásquez, runs Nov. 5 - Dec. 26, 2016 at The Old Globe. Photo by Jim Cox.

To post a comment, you must register and login.