By John Baggett
It’s just beginning, the holiday season. Allow me, please, to give you a reason, to check out a show filled with holiday cheer that will make you grin from ear to ear. (Okay, how did Dr. Suess make a living doing this?) Anyway, gather the family and head to Pollard Theater Center for their production of “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” (Seriously, rhyming is hard.)
Based on the classic book. “Grinch” is the story of the grumpy titular character, played here by Vincent Gregory, who hates Christmas with an absolute passion. His neighbors, the Citizens of Whoville, feel the exact opposite about the holiday, declaring it their favorite holiday ever. The dastardly Grinch, along with his dog, Max (Lilly Jane Boulden), comes up with a plan to ruin the holiday for all of the Whos in Whoville. However, his plan leads him to learn that Christmas is more than what he thinks it is.
The Pollard Production is a quick but delightful evening out. In an hour, they bring Seuss’s book to life as well as open with a lengthy melody of Christmas carols to get you in the holiday spirit. The production is directed by Arnold Sherman, who has brought to life such productions as “South Pacific” and the upcoming run of “The Music Man” in March.
Sherman assembled a wonderful cast of students from third through eighth grade to round out his cast. The show is narrated by Breezy Bishop, Zane Lee, Violet Schomerusm and Q’orianka Wvalle, all of who doing a fantastic job. Gregory hams it up nicely as The Grinch, along with Bolden who is adorable as Max. Evy Suberbielle does a wonderful job as Cindy-Lou Who, who helps bring heart to the show (and The Grinch).
The Citizens of Whoville are depicted by Chylar Whorton (Bill-Dru Who), Joshua Medcalf (Sammy-Joe Who), Conleigh Rose Burgess (Gracie-Mae Who), Zoe-Paige Lee (Lucy-Anne Who), MaKenzie Benton (Sallie-Bea Who), Aracely Perez (Sophie-Lea Who), Alyssa Caraway (Sadie-Rea Who), Juliette Orta (Suzie-Que Who), and last but not least, Zephan Lee as the Mayor of Whoville. All of them work together very well, making the show adorable and entertaining
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” is a great way to start the holiday season. With only a one week run of the production, I would advise acting fast and seeing the show. Otherwise, your heart might not grow two sizes this holiday season.
“How the Grinch Stole Christmas” opens on Thursday, December 5, and runs through Saturday, December 7 at Pollard Theater Center, 3030 Copeland Road in Tyler. For tickets go to showtix4u.com.
