Theater review: There's a lot to like about 'The Grinch' at the Chicago Theatre
“Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” - ★ ★ ★ ½
If your heart is two sizes too small, a trip to “Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” playing at The Chicago Theatre will expand it.
The holiday bonbon that expands on Dr. Seuss' classic tale of the green misanthrope's hatred of Christmas and Whos down in Whoville is propelled by an edgy and touching performance by Gavin Lee.
The two-time Tony Award nominee slinks around the stage with a smile most unpleasant when he's not doing a vaudeville dance number or terrorizing young Max the dog, athletically played by Aleksa Kurbalija.
As for the hard stuff - the impossible transition from villain to hero - Lee achieves an uncanny vulnerability that hits home for grown-ups who can relate to feeling lonely or isolated on what's supposed to be the happiest day of the year.
Avery Sell brought a lovely innocence to Cindy Lou Who and held her own onstage with Lee in their scenes together, delivering the ballad “Santa for a Day” with a powerful punch that avoided whimsy.
Meanwhile Kurbalija's antics drew guffaws from the kids in the crowd while his older self played by Ken Land delivered a bone-worthy version of “You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” the signature tune from the beloved television cartoon.
Also adding to the fun was a clever set with some showstoppers like the sleigh ride into Whoville and the overloaded sleigh on the top of Mount Crumpet that evoked Seuss' drawings.
Like Christmas, the Madison Square Garden Company version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” won't be around long as the musical runs only through Sunday, Nov. 25.
<b>Location:</b> The Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St., Chicago, msg.com/
<b>Showtimes:</b> 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 20-21; 1, 4 and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 23-24; and noon, 3 and 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 25
<b>Tickets:</b> $38-$125; (800) 745-3000 or ticketmaster.com/
<b>Rating:</b> For all audiences