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"It could be his head wasn’t screwed on just right. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. But I think the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small." -Old Max, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas 
For Immediate Release: October 25, 2001
Minneapolis, MN - The Children's Theatre Company presents Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, music by Mel Marvin, orchestration by Anita Ruth, with direction and choreography by Matthew Howe, music direction by Kyle Clausen, scenic design by Tom Butsch, costume design by David Kay Mickelsen, lighting design by Rebecca Fuller, and sound design by Chris Heagle. The production is sponsored by KidCom, a kid marketing division of Campbell Mithun.
The Grinch made his debut on the CTC stage in November of 1994, after special arrangements had been made with the Dr. Seuss estate to exclusively adapt and perform the book. The original production was an enormous success and was remounted in again in 1995 and 1998 playing to sold-out houses every time. Tickets sales so far for this season’s Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas indicate that this production will be just as popular as ever.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas, in book, animated film, live-action film, and theatrical form, has been delighting audiences of every age for many years. The Whos down in Whoville are happily preparing for their winter holiday. But, the green, grumbly, grouchy Grinch whose heart is two sizes too small seems immune to the joy of the season. He tries to stop Christmas from coming by stealing all the trimmings - stockings, trees, presents, and food - only to discover that the things that matter most - friends, family, love, and acceptance - can’t be wrapped in a box or hung from a tree. It is a delightful story about the power of the holidays to bring people together to celebrate what is truly important.
Director and choreographer Matthew Howe (last season’s Pippi Longstocking and Lyle the Crocodile), says "We’re trying to emulate what Dr. Seuss gave us in his book, to capture the true spirit of his story." Howe has been working with the actors to develop a rich understanding of the characters. "This script allows for a very full exploration of the Whos, the Grinch, Max and their relationships.
There’s a high level of responsibility for the company to present fully-rounded characters that are more than just cartoons; characters that are multi-dimensional beings with a lot of heart and an important story to tell."
Timothy Mason and Mel Marvin previously collaborated for CTC’s production of Mr. Popper’s Penguins but have also made individual creative contributions to the Theatre. Mason has adapted a dozen books for CTC’s mainstage, and Marvin has composed music for shows such as Madeline’s Rescue. Orchestration was composed by Anita Ruth who has composed music for several CTC productions as well as over 80 productions at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre. During the past 16 years, director and choreographer Matthew Howe has held positions as director, theatre educator, musical director, performer, designer, choreographer, and theatre administrator in Canada, the United States and abroad. He is currently the Theatre Arts Training Coordinator at CTC. In addition to numerous regional credits, Howe’s CTC directing/production credits include Pippi Longstocking, Lyle the Crocodile, Afternoon of the Elves, Cinderella, Don Quixote, and various studio/education production projects. Music director Kyle Clausen has provided music for numerous metro area theaters including CTC productions of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
In addition to designing sets for CTC, Chanhassen Theatre, and other local theaters, scenic designer Tom Butsch has served as Disneyland Entertainment’s Senior Art Director for over a decade. David Kay Mickelsen’s costumes have been seen in several shows at CTC, Arizona Theatre Company, and Denver Center Theatre Company. CTC’s resident lighting and video coordinator Rebecca Fuller has created lighting and scenic designs for many Minneapolis-based theatre companies including 3-Legged Race, Skewed Visions, Intermedia Arts and The Walker Arts Center. CTC’s resident sound supervisor Chris Heagle has created the soundscapes for productions at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, Interlochen Center for the Performing Arts, Times Theatre Company, and Illinois Repertory Theatre.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas is performed by a 25-member cast including CTC Resident Company Members, Performing Apprentices, guest artists, and student actors. CTC resident company member David Cabot will jump back into his furry green suit to play The Grinch once more. In eight seasons as a CTC Resident Company Member he has been in many productions, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Pippi Longstocking, Mississippi Panorama, and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Fresh from his energetic portrayal of Mike Teevee in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, skilled character actor and nimble resident company member Dean Holt will play Young Max. Last season Holt was a cop and a crook (Pippi Longstocking), a spellbound alligator (Mississippi Panorama), and an evil dwarf (The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe). Old Max will be played by Reed Sigmund, an associate company member whose CTC credits include Pippi Longstocking, Mississippi Panorama and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. And the simply sweet Cindy-Lou Who will be played by Kimber Lee, a second grader who has appeared in community theatre productions of The Wizard of Oz, Annie and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.
Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas opens November 16, 2001, and runs through January 5, 2002. Preview performances are Wednesday, November 14, and Thursday, November 15. Ticket prices are $14-25 for children, seniors, and students, and $19-31 for adults. Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more. For more information, call the CTC Ticket Office at (612) 874-0400 or check out our website at www.childrenstheatre.org. The Children’s Theatre Company is located at 2400 Third Avenue South in Minneapolis.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and CTC will host the PAY WHAT YOU CAN performance of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas on Tuesday, November 20 at 7:30PM. Tickets go on-sale Tuesday, November 13, one week prior to the performance.
Photos are available for press representatives at www.ctcpix.org.
The Children’s Theatre Company is nationally and internationally acclaimed as America’s flagship theatre for young people and families. Each year, CTC’s public performances, school matinees, regional tour, and Theatre Arts Training programs serve over 340,000 people.
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