Skowron Returns as the Grinch at Old Globe, 11/26-12/26

Jeff Skowron will return as the Grinch in the Globe's 13th annual production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!  Skowron made his Globe debut as the Grinch in last season's production.  The annual holiday musical, directed by James Vasquez with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, will run in the Old Globe Theatre Nov. 20 - Dec. 26.  Previews run from Nov. 20 - Nov. 26.  Opening night is Nov. 26 at 7:00 p.m.   

Performances are restricted to children three years and up except for the 11:00 a.m. performances for which tickets can be purchased for children of all ages.  Ticket prices range from $39 to $77 for adults and from $20 to $57 for children and 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 13th 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.
 
The original production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! was conceived and directed by Jack O'Brien with original choreography by John DeLuca.  This season's production features Musical Direction by Ron Colvard, Additional Choreography by Bob Richard and Restaged Choreography by James Vasquez.  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 complete cast will be announced at a later date.
 
Jeff Skowron is no stranger to Grinch, having performed in both the 2007 and 2008 Broadway productions.  He is co-creator and co-star with Matt Yeager of the popular web series "Greg and Donny," which recently won the top honor at the 2010 New York Television Festival: a development deal with the Independent Film Channel (www.greganddonny.com).  His Broadway credits include Enron (Trader), The Lion King (Ed, Timon, Zazu), Beauty and the Beast (Lefou), High Society (Stanley) and the workshop of The Boy From Oz (playing Chris Bell opposite Hugh Jackman).  Skowron has appeared Off Broadway in Debbie Does Dallas and Zombie Prom.  His regional credits include Hysterium in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Luther in the world premiere of Leap, both at Cincinnati Playhouse, and Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Contemporary American Theatre Company.  Film and television credits include New York City Serenade, The Narrows, How to Seduce Difficult Women, The Good Shepherd, A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Premium, Chapter 27, all "Law & Order" series and "Mary and Rhoda."  Skowron plays Ryan on the hit web series "The Burg" (www.theburg.tv), directed by Peter Sollett, and Pippin on "All's Faire" (www.allsfaire.tv).

James Vasquez has been re-creating the original musical staging for Grinch since 2003.  His recent directing credits include the West Coast premieres of [title of show] and Twist (Diversionary Theatre), Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music (choreographer) and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (Cygnet Theatre Company) and Into the Woods (New Village Arts).  Along with his partners Mark Holmes and Carrie Preston, Vasquez 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 is currently in production on its latest feature, That's What She Said, starring Anne Heche.  As an actor, Vasquez has appeared on film, television, Off Broadway, regional and local stages.  He is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Drama.
 
The fifth annual Globe Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Sunday, Nov. 21 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 Globe 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.  Tickets to this free event are limited but may be obtained by subscribers and are included with the tickets to the Nov. 21 performance at 4:30 p.m.
 
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. 20 and continue through Dec. 26.  Ticket prices range from $39 to $77 for adults and from $20 to $57 for children (17 years and under).  Performance times:  Previews:  Saturday, Nov. 20 at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 21 at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 24 at 7:00 p.m. and Friday, Nov. 26 at 2:00 p.m.  Regular Performances:  Tuesday - Friday at 7:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.  Additional performances: Tuesday, Dec. 21 at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 23 at 2:00 p.m. and Friday, Dec. 24 at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (there is no 7:00 p.m. performance that day).  There are no performances on Thanksgiving, Nov. 25, Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 3, 8 or 9 and Christmas, Dec. 25. 
 
LOCATION:  The Old Globe is located in San Diego's Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way.  There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park.  Valet parking is also available ($10).  For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org.
 
CALENDAR:  Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound (9/14-11/7), Welcome to Arroyo's (9/25-10/31), The Winter's Tale (11/7-11/14), Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (11/20-12/26), Jane Austen's Emma - A Musical Romantic Comedy (1/15-2/27), Death of a Salesman (1/22-2/27).
  
The Tony Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country's leading professional regional theaters and has stood as San Diego's flagship arts institution for 75 years.  Under the direction of Executive Producer Louis G. Spisto, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 productions of classic, contemporary and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre, the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre and the 612-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 theater's education and community programs.  Numerous world premieres such as The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, A Catered Affair 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 theaters across the country.

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