It’s hard for “How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” to feel repetitive at the very theater company it was commissioned at.
Children’s Theater Company commissioned the show from Mel Marvin and Timothy Mason in 1994. It has since enjoyed a Broadway transfer, a Broadway revival, and multiple national tours. This marks the Children’s Theater’s 12th time performing “Grinch” and star Reed Sigmund’s sixth go as the titular character.
The show is based on Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” and is narrated by an older version of Max, the Grinch’s dubious sidekick/dog. The rest of the plot is the same as you probably remember it, plus multiple “Wicked”-esque grand musical numbers.
It’s no wonder that the show held such Broadway staying power, as it’s probably as close to a Broadway-caliber show in Minneapolis you can get outside of national tour stops.
While the kid cast shines here — come to see Audrey Mojica’s turn as Young Max — the awe-inspiring technical elements here are adjacent to Broadway sets you might see at the Orpheum- and maybe even better.
Scenic Designer Tom Butsch’s immense sets take you beyond the 2D illustrations of the original book from the colorful Whoville to the very top of Mount Crumpit, the Grinch’s lair.
It all feels very tangible, especially with the help of Costume Designer David Kay Mickelson’s body-altering costumes that make you forget you’re watching real humans on the stage and not actual Whovians.
The technical elements really bring the fantasy to life with head-scratching technical elements. Characters are seen magically flying through the air and objects magically fly off walls in ways that I still haven’t figured out.
That’s not to say that Reed Sigmund’s performance isn’t also impressive. Sigmund’s characterization is completely separate from Jim Carrey’s turn as the character in 2000’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” Which isn’t surprising- CTC, after all, did it first.
Sigmund is obviously very comfortable in the role, and shines especially in moments where he breaks the fourth wall with jilted modern jokes with older members of the audience.
If the numerous sold-out shows of the performance (it’s still November, people!) are any indicator, “Grinch” is surely a holiday tradition that many families want to hold on to.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” plays at the Children’s Theater Company through Jan. 7.
Anya Capistrant-Kinney can be reached at capi2087@stthomas.edu.