‘The Grinch’ sets out to steal Christmas and our hearts
We can’t get enough of the Grinch.
The Dr. Seuss character who starts with a heart “two sizes too small” and then has his heart melted by the joyful citizens of Whoville, started on the page, moved to TV in a beloved animated special and to the big screen, with Jim Carrey doing the live-action honors. It is scheduled to return to theaters next year as an animated film, with Benedict Cumberbatch voicing the green meanie.
It was inevitable that “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” would become a work of musical theater. The stage show first made its way from the Great White Way to the PNC Broadway in Pittsburgh series at the Benedum Center in 2011. “The Grinch” has a return engagement in the Cultural District, at Heinz Hall Dec. 20-24.
The production offers eye-popping costumes and sets, a flying dog and indoor snow showers. Songs from the original animated special — “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” — are included in the expansive song list by Mel Marvin and Timothy Mason.
“The Grinch” was the first Broadway musical to offer 12 performances a week, and in December 2006 it ended “Wicked’s” 100week streak as the top grossing show on Broadway. Patrick Page, who starred in the show when it was at the St. James Theatre in 2007, is the voice of the green guy on the cast album. Mr. Page can be seen through Dec. 23 in another Grinchy role — as Scrooge in Pittsburgh CLO’s “A Musical Christmas Carol.”
At Heinz Hall, Downtown, Dec. 20-24, 7 p.m. Wednesday-Friday; 2, 5 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $30-$96 at trustarts.org or 412-456-6666.