J. Bernard Calloway Stars in DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, Opening Tonight at The Old Globe

The Old Globe's 18th annual production of DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, starring J. Bernard Calloway in the title role, opens tonight, November 12, 2015 and will run through December 26th.

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 18th 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 makes his Old Globe debut 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 third year is Taylor Coleman of Carmel Valley, alternating in the role of Cindy-Lou Who with Mikee Castillo of Serra Mesa, making her Globe debut. Coleman most recently played 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). Castillo's recent credits include CATS: A New Day 2015 (California Youth Conservatory) and the independent film Driving While Black (Anthem Films).

Three-time San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award winner Steve Gunderson returns as Old Max and marks his lucky 13th 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. Blake Segal will scale Mt. Crumpit as Young Max. He recently appeared at the Globe in Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery. His extensive stage credits also include the recent national tour of Mary Poppins and the Off Broadway production of Bones in the Basket.

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), Emily Sade Bautista and Breanna Laureti (Annie Who), Hourie Klijian and Gabriela Marin (Betty-Lou Who), Giovanni Cozic and Levi Laddon (Boo Who), and Brandon Saldivar and Elliot Weaver (Danny Who); ensemble members Scotty Atienza, Jacob Caltrider, David Kirk Grant, Elisa Guerra, Kyrsten Hafso-Koppman, Ava Harris, Katrina Heil, Brooke Henderson, Kennedy Nibbe, Clay Stefanki, Hannah Tasto, Jill Townsend, Kelsey Venter, Max Wieczorek, Braelyn Willis, and Catalina Jewel Zelles; 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 12 at 10:30 a.m. Following very successful performances the past three 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 10th annual Globe Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 15 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. 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 the 2013 Shakespeare Festival production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. 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 West Side Story and Cats (San Diego Musical Theatre), Clybourne Park (Old Globe/USD M.F.A. Program), Pippin 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, Vásquez 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 most recent feature film, That's What She Said, made its world premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

Ticket prices start at $37 for adults and $24 for children (17 years and under). Children under age 3 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.

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 80 years. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Michael G. Murphy, 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 education and community programs. Numerous world premieres such as the 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, 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.

CAST BIOGRAPHIES:

Scotty Atienza (Little Who Ensemble, Red Team) is making his Globe debut in DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! He is an Associate Artist with Lamb's Players Theatre, where he portrayed Gavroche for 100 performances in LES MISERABLES, which won seven San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Awards, including Outstanding Resident Musical and Outstanding Ensemble. Also with Lamb's, Atienza played Buzz in Festival of Christmas: Northern Lights, participated in the celebration portion of 100 Hours of Stories, and will play Thor in The Nerd in January. He also sang with the San Diego Symphony as the boy soprano in Green Eggs and Ham. He has performed in numerous Christian Youth Theater productions, including Seussical, for which he won the Director's Choice Award for Best Actor 12 & Under as General Schmitz.

Emily Sade Bautista (Annie Who, Pink Team) is a 10-year-old who is excited to make her debut at The Old Globe in DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! She most recently played a Mouse in A Year with Frog and Toad (Coronado Playhouse/Pickwick Players). Some of her favorite credits include Mini Lucy/Ginger Blanket in You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown as well as School House Rock, Shrek The Musical, and The Little Mermaid (Christian Youth Theater).

J. Bernard Calloway (THE GRINCH) appeared 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, to name a few. His film credits include The Breaks (coming in December 2015 on VH1), The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Man on a Ledge, The Girl Is in Trouble, Big Words, and Anesthesia. His television credits include "The Good Wife," "Blue Bloods," "Elementary," "White Collar," "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

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 Violet (San Diego Repertory Theatre), West Side Story (San Diego Musical Theatre), 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).

Geno Carr (Grandpa Who) previously appeared at the Globe in DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! (2011-2014) and Allegiance - A New American Musical. His other San Diego credits include Come from Away (La Jolla Playhouse), miXtape, The Servant of Two Masters, The Foreigner, and The Music Man (Lamb's Players Theatre, Associate Artist), Assassins, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, and Sweeney Todd (Cygnet Theatre Company, Resident Artist), I Love You Because and A Christmas Carol (2008-2009) (North Coast Repertory Theatre), A Waltz Dream (Lyric Opera San Diego), Next to Normal (San Diego Musical Theatre), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Intrepid Theatre Company). Carr, a BroadwayWorld and San Diego Critics Circle Award nominee, has appeared Off Broadway in Bush Wars and on the national tours of Phantom, The Buddy Holly Story, and Grease.

Nancy Snow Carr (Grandma Who) returns to THE GRINCH for her fifth year. She was also seen at the Globe as Lady Montague in The Last Goodbye. 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).

Mikee Castillo (Cindy-Lou Who, Pink Team) is an eight-year-old third grader from Good Shepherd Catholic School who is spending her first holiday season in Whoville. Castillo was previously seen as a Chorus Cat in CATS: A New Day 2015 (California Youth Conservatory) and as Sara Borty-Lio's Sister in the independent film Driving While Black (Anthem Films).

Taylor Coleman (Cindy-Lou Who, Red Team) is thrilled to be returning to Whoville after playing Cindy-Lou Who the past two years. She is nine years old and is a fourth grader at Sage Canyon Elementary School. Most recently she played 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). Coleman dances with Royal Academy of Performing Arts, studies voice at NC Studios, and is a competitive gymnast for So Cal TTC.

Giovanni Cozic (Boo Who, Red Team) is making his Globe debut. He recently appeared on stage in the world premiere musical Up Here (La Jolla Playhouse). Cozic has been a student at San Diego Junior Theatre for over six years, where he has been a part of 10 productions.

David Kirk Grant (Grown-Up Who Ensemble) made his Globe debut last year in THE GRINCH. Grant's touring credits include Julian Marsh in 42nd Street, Charlie Cowell and Harold Hill in The Music Man, Dick Deadeye in H.M.S. Pinafore, and The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance. His regional credits include Thug #1 in Kiss Me, Kate starring Wayne Brady (Pasadena Playhouse), Side Show directed by Academy Award winner Bill Condon (La Jolla Playhouse), Hugh Dorsey in Parade, Governor and Innkeeper in Man of La Mancha (San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award nomination), Larry in Company (Cygnet Theatre Company), Norbert in The Great American Trailer Park Musical (San Diego Repertory Theatre), Zoser in Aida (Tuacahn Center for the Arts), Jim in Pump Boys and Dinettes, Burl Sanders in Smoke on the Mountain (Lamb's Players Theatre), Michael in I Do! I Do!, Walter Anderson in Chess, Juan Perón in Evita, and Rev. Shaw Moore in Footloose (Moonlight Stage Productions), Man #1 in Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash and Amos Calloway in Big Fish. He can occasionally be spotted as Jafar in Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular (Disney California Adventure Park). He was a co-star on NBC's "The Office" and recently finished the upcoming feature film The Thin Line.

Elisa Guerra (Little Who Ensemble, Red Team) makes her Globe debut in DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! She is 10 years old and attends La Mesa Arts Academy. Guerra discovered her love of theatre in first grade as part of the ensemble in Annie Get Your Gun at Mt. Helix Academy. Since then she has enjoyed her roles in The Little Mermaid (Mt. Helix Academy), Babes in Toyland (Kroc Kids Junior Theatre Company), Annie, playing the role of July (Mt. Helix Academy), and Fiddler on the Roof (Young Actors' Theatre). Her favorite role so far has been JoJo in Seussical (Mt. Helix Academy).

Steve Gunderson (Old Max) has previously appeared at the Globe in DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! (1999-2000, 2003, 2005, 2007-2014), 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 Off Broadway in Butley, Street Scene, Suds, 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. Gunderson and Javier Velasco created Everybody's Talkin': The Music of Harry Nilsson, which had its world premiere this 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 (2013-2014). Her local credits include Cats (San Diego Musical Theatre), A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Musical (Intrepid Shakespeare Company), 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). She recently performed the role of Mary in Respighi's oratorio Laud to the Nativity in Spokane and Seattle.

Ava Harris (Little Who Ensemble, Pink Team) is a fourth grader at Nazareth School San Diego and is thrilled to be cast in her first production at The Old Globe. Her past performances include Annie Jr. (California Youth Conservatory), Summer Sessions Cabaret (Karyn Overstreet Vocal Studio), Beauty and the Beast (Christian Youth Theater Central), The Wizard of Oz (Nazareth School), and December Nights (Balboa Park).

Katrina Heil (Little Who Ensemble, Red Team) last appeared at The Old Globe in DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! (2012). Her other theatre credits include Festival of Christmas: Catch a Falling Star (Lamb's Players Theatre), Fancy Nancy, Dinosaurs Before Dark, The Addams Family, Snoopy, and The Little Mermaid (San Diego Junior Theatre), and The Nutcracker (San Diego Civic Youth Ballet). She has trained at San Diego Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Neisha's Dance & Music Academy, and, for voice, with Cris O'Bryon and Karyn Overstreet.

Brooke Henderson (Teen Who, Pink Team) returns to Whoville for a fourth year. She is an eighth grader at The Language Academy and is fluent in French. She is a member of the Links to STEM program; impACT on Stage's anti-bullying troupe, and the JT on Tour choir. Henderson's first love is musical theatre; some of her credits include Annie and The Music Man (Moonlight Stage Productions), Little Inez in Hairspray (Southwestern College), Big River (California Youth Conservatory), Tarzan (Moonlight Youth Theatre), supporting roles in several independent films, and many productions at San Diego Junior Theatre.

Hourie Klijian (Betty-Lou Who, Pink Team) is delighted to return to The Old Globe to perform in another season of THE GRINCH. She has appeared in LES MISERABLES and Christmas on my Mind (Lamb's Players Theatre), The Sound of Music (San Diego Musical Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof, The Wizard of Oz, The Music Man, and Shrek The Musical (Moonlight Stage Productions), Annie and Peter Pan Jr. (San Diego Junior Theatre), A Gala Musical Review (Kroc Kids Junior Theatre Company), and Celebrity Sonnets. She has also made solo vocal performances at a number of venues in San Diego, including Coronado Playhouse's Strike Up the Band cabaret and Lamb's Players Theatre's An Evening of Hits.

Levi Laddon (Boo Who, Pink Team) is excited to join the cast of DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! He is in fifth grade and is 10 years old. He enjoys performing with Young Actors' Theatre in Spring Valley and in Purim shpiels at Temple Emanu-El. He also enjoys putting on plays and singing at home for family and friends. Laddon's favorite roles include the title role in Peter Pan, Winthrop in The Music Man, and Sebastian in The Little Mermaid. He has been nominated twice for the National Youth Arts Award for his performances as Chi-Fu in Mulan and Iago in Aladdin.

Breanna Laureti (Annie Who, Red Team) makes her Globe debut as Annie Who in DR. SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! In addition to her previous Peter Pan role in Peter Pan, she played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Ursula in Bye Bye Birdie, Marley in Bah Humbug, and Pirate Ensemble in Jingle ARRGH! the Way, for which she was awarded the Mint Award (San Diego Junior Theatre).

Bets Malone (Mama Who) was seen as Mama Who the past two seasons. She was most recently seen as Sandra Bloom in Big Fish at Moonlight Stage Production and as Jane in the premiere of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Her favorite regional credits include Mary Poppins, Next to Normal, Sweeney Todd, 1776, Once Upon a Mattress, Evita, Ragtime, Into the Woods, Annie Get Your Gun, All Shook Up, and Children of Eden. Malone originated the role of Suzy in the Off Broadway production of The Marvelous Wonderettes and can be heard on three Wonderette albums. She is featured as Tallulah the monkey in Barbie as the Island Princess as well as the singing voice of Velma in Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire.

Gabriela Marin (Betty-Lou Who, Red Team) is making her Globe debut. Her past musical theatre credits include General Genghis Khan Schmitz in Seussical (Visionary Youth Theatre) and Oompa Loompa in Willy Wonka and Molly's Gang in Annie (Christian Youth Theater) as well as Shepherd in La Pastorela under thedirection of William Virchis. Marin has also participated in nationwide television singing contests on "Sabado Gigante" (Univision), "La Voz Kids" (Telemundo), and "Lagrimita y Costel" (EstrellaTV). She also placed first inthe local singing contest "Despierta Tu Talento" (Univision San Diego).

Kennedy Nibbe (Little Who Ensemble, Pink Team) is making her Globe debut this year in Dr. Seuss' How theGrinch Stole Christmas! She is seven years old and in the second grade. She is the second-oldest of four singing and dancing siblings in her household. She was most recently cast as Babydoll in Traditions of Christmas with Christian Community Theater.

Brandon Saldivar (Danny Who, Pink Team) is a sixth-grade student at The Academy at Black Mountain Middle School. He previously played Boo Who in 2013. His recent theatre credits include Ensemble in It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman, Edmund in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and Ancestor in TheAddams Family (San Diego Junior Theatre). His film credit includes a video short produced by the San Diego Natural History Museum.

Blake Segal (Young Max) is a New York City-based actor, teacher, and dialect coach. He was featured at theGlobe in Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery earlier this year. He appeared in the national tour of Mary Poppins and Off Broadway in Bones in the Basket with The Araca Project. His regional credits include The Corn is Green and Wing It (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Nerds (Philadelphia Theatre Company, Barrymore Award nominee), Romeo and Juliet, POP!, and Rough Crossing (Yale Repertory Theatre), Carousel(Paper Mill Playhouse), Lysistrata (Connecticut Repertory Theatre), Amadeus, The Winter's Tale, and Arcadia(Chautauqua Theater Company), Good People (The Public Theatre, Maine), Les Enfants de Paris (New York Musical Theatre Festival), Aristophanes' The Frogs (Fault Line Theatre). He has performed in concerts at 54 Below, Irish Repertory Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse, and Boston Symphony Hall. He has been seen on television on "Blue Bloods."

Clay Stefanki (Grown-Up Who Ensemble) is making his debut at The Old Globe. His regional credits include42nd Street, Hairspray, Guys and Dolls, Anything Goes, and Life Could Be A Dream (Moonlight Stage Productions), Guys and Dolls (Lamb's Players Theatre), Spamalot and Hairspray (Musical Theatre West), Irving Berlin's White Christmas (Cabrillo Music Theatre), and Miss Saigon (McCoy Rigby Entertainment). Stefanki was also in the regional premiere of Mary Poppins as the Bert understudy at Tuacahn Center for the Arts. His other regional credits include Starlight Express and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tuacahn), Mary Poppins(Gateway Playhouse, Ogunquit Playhouse), and The Little Mermaid (Alabama Shakespeare Festival). He also performed internationally with Miss Saigon at the Macau International Music Festival in Macau, China.

Hannah Tasto (Little Who Ensemble, Pink Team) is a 10-year-old and a fifth grader at Explorer Elementary School. She has been in eight Christian Youth Theater Central productions, her favorite being The Sound of Music. Her other performance experiences include Spongerella (Lamb's Players Theatre) and The Nutcracker(City Ballet) as well as dance showcases and a vocal performance at December Nights.

Jill Townsend (Grown-Up Who Ensemble) last performed at the Globe in The Grinch (2014) and the world premiere of Allegiance - A New American Musical. Most recently, Townsend has been working behind thescenes for her family's theatre company, San Diego Musical Theatre, as the Associate Artistic Director and Casting Director. But her favorite role to date is being mother to sweet Chase Evan Townsend! Townsend's selected credits include Judy Haynes in Irving Berlin's White Christmas (San Diego Musical Theatre), Winnie Tate in Annie Get Your Gun and Patty Simcox in Grease (Music Circus), Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Eileen in the West Coast premiere of I Love a Piano (Musical Theatre West), Columbia in Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Tribute (Universal Studios Hollywood), The Mistress in Evita (Fullerton Civic Light Opera), and the national tours of A Chorus Line and Camelot.

Robert J. Townsend (Papa Who) recently played Father Alexandrios in Mamma Mia! (Broadway) and Georges in La Cage aux Folles (San Diego Musical Theatre). His touring credits include Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, Camelot, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Grease. His selected regional credits include Dan Goodman in Next to Normal (San Diego Musical Theatre, McCoy Rigby Entertainment, Ovation Award nomination), Tommy Albright in Brigadoon (Music Circus), the title role in Sweeney Todd (Moonlight Stage Productions, Craig Noel Award nomination), Thomas Weaver in The Story of My Life (Ovation Award and Craig Noel Award nomination), Billy Flynn in Chicago (San Diego Musical Theatre), Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard, Edward Rutledge in 1776 (BroadwayWorld Award nomination), Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie(Music Circus, Musical Theatre West), and the title role in Jekyll & Hyde (Ovation Award).

Kelsey Venter (Grown-Up Who Ensemble) returns to The Grinch for her fourth year in Whoville. Venter was last seen in the world premiere of Monstress (American Conservatory Theater). Her other regional credits include Mr. Burns, a Post-Electric Play (Guthrie Theater, ACT), LES MISERABLES, The 39 Steps, Trying, andGuys and Dolls (Lamb's Players Theatre), I Love You Because (North Coast Repertory Theatre), Timepiece(The Active Theater), Beehive: The 60's Musical and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Miracle Theatre Productions), Oliver! (Woodminster Amphitheater), She Loves Me and Boeing-Boeing (Center REP Theatre),The Threepenny Opera and A Seagull in the Hamptons (Shotgun Players), and Love and Information, 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, and A Christmas Carol (ACT).

Elliot Weaver (Danny Who, Red Team) is returning to Whoville for a third year. Most recently, Weaver played Winthrop in The Music Man and Young Will in Big Fish (Moonlight Stage Productions). His other credits include Vlad Vladikoff in Seussical (Encore Youth Theatre) and a lead role in Cinderella and If the Shoe Fits, Chicken Little, Beauty and the Beast, and Rapunzel (TheatreWest). Weaver is a 13-year-old eighth grader at TheClassical Academy in Vista.

Max Wieczorek (Little Who Ensemble, Pink Team) has appeared as Winthrop in The Music Man (Center Stage Children's Theater) and Seahorse in The Little Mermaid (Carlsbad Community Theatre), and he was especially proud to inaugurate the role of Young Danny Kellen in the world premiere production of Extraordinary: A New Contemporary Musical (Wallace Theatre). He has also appeared in The Wizard of Oz and various church and school productions.

Braelyn Willis (Teen Who, Red Team) attends Parkway Middle School, where she is in the eighth grade. Her favorite subjects are science and social studies. This is Willis's first professional acting performance. She has previously sung in the choir and performed praise dance at her church.

Catalina Jewel Zelles (Little Who Ensemble, Red Team), eight years old, is making her professional stage debut in The Old Globe's Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! She has performed in more than 20 theatrical productions throughout San Diego. Some of her favorite roles include Little Cosette in LES MISERABLES(AVO Playhouse), Molly in Annie (STAR Repertory Theatre), Winthrop in The Music Man (Carlsbad Community Theatre), and JoJo in Seussical (North Coast Repertory Theatre). Her other theatre credits include Alice in Wonderland, The Miracle Worker, and Aladdin (North Coast Rep), Willy Wonka and Peter Pan (STAR Rep),Fiddler on the Roof (Oceanside Theatre Company), Queen of Hearts (Theatre Arts School of San Diego), andTarzan (Moonlight Youth Theatre). She won best actress at the San Diego Student Shakespeare Festival (2014, 2015) and performed in Celebrity Sonnets (2014, 2015).

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