Five Reasons To See The Grinch Musical

This time of year people gather for various holiday traditions with family and friends. Some families go to the Pops others the ballet, and some dare to face the Grinch in all his Grinchy yet ultimately heartwarming glory.

In 1957, The Grinch was introduced to the world in Dr. Seuss’ story and illustrations of this utopian (perhaps? although to me maybe more slightly disturbing) Whoville World and a very green curmudgeonly character who simply can’t tolerate this overly festive season. The Grinch then became a movie in 1966 and newer versions in 2000 and 2018. The musical hit Broadway in 2006 and has been touring ever since. Here are just 5 of the reasons Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical keeps coming back and it isn’t just to steal Christmas.

One Reason

The People of Whoville and all their cute Whoville costumes. The children especially were so good at bringing their characters to life The little Whoville child with a mohawk was so talented and of course Trinity Vittoria Devito as Cindy Lou Who was the sweetest thing.

When children in the audience see children on stage there is a spark that ignites. That connection whether the child dreams of one day being on stage or just relates to the character in the show rarely happens outside the theatre.

Two Reasons

Illustrations come to life on stage with the sets that have that classic Dr. Seuss style. The props, the lighting and the sets all come together making the storybook come to life in front of our eyes.

Three Reasons

The pit fall of Christmas is when the holiday skews towards consumerism. It is a trap we can all easily get sucked into. If any show opens the floor for teachable moments about consumerism and the holidays, The Grinch does. One of my favourite characters in the show is the grandfather who has a lot to say about shopping and gifts.

Four Reasons

Let it snow. Any show that has snow is magic to me and usually most of the audience. I love the scene in the Nutcracker when the snow begins to fall over the corps de ballet. Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical opens to a snowy scene created by lights across the stage, but that is just the beginning of the audience’s experience with snow in the show (and I’ll leave it at that.)

Five Reasons

The Grinch himself is my fifth reason to see the show, and probably the main draw. I may have even developed a slight crush on the guy. The Grinch has sass, and a grumpy kind of attitude that we all feel sometimes and I could definitely relate to. He is funny and a little mean. He would have been way too scary for my very sensitive children, so I recommend bring kids no younger than five or six years old, but know your child. If you chose to bring a young child who ends up struggling a bit, do your child and your fellow audience members a favour by bringing the child to the back of the theatre to regroup or the lobby if need be. It is just good theatre etiquette and will allow them to have a good experience rather than a stressed out one.

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is playing at the Boch Center Wang Theatre through December 23rd.