Arts

A few gifts from the Grinch

by Jules Becker
Wednesday Dec 5, 2018

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, tour at Boch Center Wang Theatre, Boston, through December 9. 800-982-2787 or bochcenter.org

Have you ever thought of the Grinch as a green-faced variation on Ebenezer Scrooge? After all, both characters initially hate Christmas but eventually embrace its basic values of human kindness and caring. If the transformed Grinch cuts roast beef at the table of the warm-hearted Whos, the redeemed Scrooge of course surprises hard-working employee Bob Crachit and his family with a prize goose.

Most importantly, both Dickens and Dr. Seuss champion festivity essentially free from commercialization—something regrettably missing in the Timothy Mason (book and lyrics)-Mel Marvin (music) 1994 version (2007 Broadway) of "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical."

Dr. Seuss' 1957 picture book classic should have served as a clear guide to the author's anti-materialistic bent. Quite simply the prolific children's book writer turned the Grinch into a 53 year old grump (the author's own age at the time) living in a cave on Mount Crumpit north of Whoville.

A hermit described by narrating loyal though unloved dog Old Max as possessing a heart "two sizes too small'' finds the good-natured noisiness of the Christmas-loving Whos insufferable. Wisely, the Broadway production includes the telling song "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," a snappy trio —Old Max. Young Max and the Grinch—with music by Albert Hague and vivid lyrics by Dr. Seuss himself.

The Grinch makes his opening position unequivocal in the busy though un-extraordinary Mason-Marvin number "I Hate Christmas Eve." By contrast, the citizens of Whoville affirm their feeling for the holiday both early on and much later in the affectionate Hague-Dr. Seuss winner "Welcome, Christmas."

The Grinch show does take its title character from villain—the first focal one in a Dr. Seuss book—to offbeat hero as he restores tree, food and gift that he stole and gets to know the Whos.

Admittedly children in the Boch Center Wang Theatre audience did not seem to mind the no-intermission 90-minute time frame. There are moments when a snow falling effect and details in John Lee Beatty's Dr. Seuss story-influenced set design may help keep young theatergoers involved. Adults may tire of fairly conventional moves for the Whos' in the original choreography of John DeLuca and co-choreography of Bob Richard. They may also be wary of the show's lack of real comment about the loss of holiday spirit when gifts take center stage.

Still, "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" has some occasional treasures under Matt August's somewhat unsubtle direction. Gavin Lee as the Grinch is eye-catching throughout whether capturing the seemingly formidable creature in deep vocal moments with Paul Lynde-recalling attitude or sharply phrased put downs of the holiday. His stage right slide is a vivid highlight. Mackenzie Mercer (who alternates with Avery Sell) displays remarkable stage presence and a strong voice as Cindy-Lou Who, the family member who seems to have a striking influence on the Grinch—most notably in a duo with Lee on "Santa for a Day." Ken Land has some touching stretches as Old Max, while Aleksa Kurbalija captures Young Max's energy and gusto in the reflective dog's memories. The Whos are more Whats than real characters.

Is this musical as one of a kind as the Grinch? Dr. Seuss would likely say 'No!'