The final feast that the Grinch prepares for the residents of Whoville also made me smile: The tabletop is intentionally aslant, re-creating the perspective of a child viewing the illustration in a book.
And, at the very end, it "snows" over the audience sitting in the first several rows of the theater. The effect is magical.
The problem with Geisel's story from a theatrical perspective is that there isn't enough of it. The book itself has less than 1,400 words. The television program lasts 26 minutes. But, to justify the costly special effects - not to mention $70 ticket prices - the producers apparently felt they had to expand the stage show to 80 minutes, the current running time.
That's a lot of bread crumbs and chopped apple.
Some of Timothy Mason's added dialogue captures Geisel's rhythms and enhances the themes. Unfortunately, the narrative tension gets lost amid all the garnishes.
For instance, do we really need to see the adult Whos on a pre-Christmas shopping spree, singing the eminently forgettable It's the Thought That Counts?
The show does contain the two most memorable numbers from the television show, You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch (and the sing-along segment is a nice touch) and Welcome Christmas.
The strongest of the new numbers is the Grinch's soft-shoe solo, One of a Kind, delivered with comic panache by Karl. The performer, star of the Nickelodeon show LazyTown, has been called "the Icelandic Jim Carrey." It's easy to forget that physical comics are skilled athletes, but one segment serves as a welcome reminder. As the Grinch steals the Whos' gifts, Karl soccer-kicks each wrapped package across the room, and Andrew Keenan-Bolger (Young Max) catches each parcel in a bag before it hits the ground.
It's the best duet of the evening, a masterly display of timing and teamwork.
Walter Charles displays a hard-won dignity and stentorian baritone as Old Max. Aaron Galligan-Stierle (Papa Who) and Jacquelyn Piro Donovan (Mama Who) have especially lovely voices; it's a shame they don't get more of an opportunity to showcase them.
Finally, young Lexie DeBlasio (Cindy Lou in the red cast) possesses a set of startlingly big pipes for such a small child - though they unfortunately are put to the service of the treacly Santa for a Day.
But, perhaps I'd better quit while I'm ahead. My talons are growing, and they're making it hard to type.
If you go
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas runs through Nov. 23 at the France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, 12 N. Eutaw St. Show times: 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays; 5 p.m., 8 p.m. Fridays; 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m., 8 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. Sundays. $25-$70. 410-547-7328 or france-merrickpac.com.
