Reed Sigmund and Adelyn Frost Photo by Glen Stubbe photography

The children's book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas!" by Theodor S. Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, was published in 1957 and became an instant classic. Its tale of a malevolent being who is unpleasant and unkind in every way, until his heart is warmed by the innocence and inborn goodness of a child, is a common literary motif. That doesn't keep the Grinch from being beloved, especially given Seuss' fanciful renderings of the characters and the witty rhyming schemes in his text. Both of these elements are intact in this stage production, thanks to David Kay Mickelsen's endlessly inventive costume design and Tom Butsch's delightful scenic design that feels like it lifts the pages of the book directly to the stage, as well as Timothy Mason's book.

Mason's book retains the original text and adds to it, seamlessly enough that unless you know the book by heart (e.g., through countless bedtime readings to children), you would be hard-pressed to say where Seuss leaves off and Mason takes over. The musical uses the two indelible songs from the televised animated version first broadcast in 1966, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas,"–one a comically menacing ode to the detestable villain, the other a joyous salutation to the spirt of Christmas–both by Geisel and Albert Hague. The show has eight additional songs with music by Mel Marvin and lyrics by Mason. The best of these are "Who Likes Christmas?," a spirited opening number; "One of a Kind," which gives Reed Sigmund, returning once again as the Grinch, a chance to have a song-and-dance field day; and "Santa for a Day," sung by Cindy-Lou Who (the youngest and most intuitive Who), primed to melt hearts of both the Grinch and the audience.

The story is spare: The Whos are joyfully preparing for Christmas Eve. The Grinch and his put-upon dog, Young Max (the entire show is narrated in flashbacks by Old Max, who has returned to see the Grinch's cave and Whoville one last time), watch from their perch on Mt. Crumpet, with the Grinch getting more and more irate as the Whos revel in decorating and shopping for the holiday. He plots to steal Christmas, disguised as Santa Claus. The show has an added sequence in which the Grinch descends down to Whoville, terrifying the local citizenry, to buy the materials needed to construct a Santa suit and to make Max into a far-fetched facsimile of a reindeer.

I doubt anyone needs a spoiler alert, but here it is. Cindy Lou, the youngest, purist and kindest of the Whos (early on, she suggests giving Mr. Grinch a gift, an idea quickly shot down by the rest of the Who community) wakes up and catches the Grinch in Santa guise in the act of stealing their Christmas tree. Her good nature and her genuine sadness when he tells her he will be spending Christmas alone, begin to chip away at the Grinch's stony heart. But he carries on with his plot, only to be shocked the next morning when he hears the entire Who village singing "Welcome Christmas" arm in arm. He realizes, then, what Cindy Lou tried to make him understand–that Christmas is not about the things that come from a store, but what comes from the heart.

Reed Sigmund is in his eighth go-round as the Grinch, and if practice makes perfect, he has reached the pinnacle. His portrayal could be called hammy, but that is more than appropriate for this out-sized character. His Grinch is unwaveringly mean (until his epiphany), but played to entertain, not to frighten. He revels in his villainy, in harassing faithful Young Max, and in putting over a song. He is disarming as he seizes an opportunity to plow through the audience and draw a couple of young attendees into the fray. It's hard to imagine a better Grinch than Sigmund's.

Director Dean Holt, with years of experience appearing in The Grinch, maintains the balance between children's story and a bona fide entertainment for adults and kids alike, with a tone of silliness that does not diminish the story's enduring message. As in years past, Holt is perfect as the endearing, sentimental narrator Old Max, while Young Max is shared at alternating performances by Adelyn Frost and Harriet Spencer. We had the pleasure of seeing Miss Frost in the role, and she is terrific–expressive in the range of emotions that wash over the young pup's life, giving in, despite the Grinch's protestations, to the holiday spirit–and handles the physical requirements of the role with aplomb.

Chloe Sorensen is wonderful as Cindy Lou Who, conveying the sweet child's faith and kindness, and raising her voice beautifully in song in "Santa for a Day." Autumn Ness, as Mama Who and Matthew Hall as JP Who share a lovely moment singing "Now's the Time," conveying the calm that parents can feel on Christmas Eve when the children are asleep, the presents are set for the morning, and the two finally have precious moments for one another. Adam Qualls and Suzie Juul, as Grandpa and Grandma Who, bring nice comedic touches to the show. The remainder of the cast and ensemble all perform with gusto and conviction.

Karla Grotting has fashioned delightful choreography for this Grinch, with the two biggest ensemble numbers, "Who Likes Christmas?" and "Last Minute Shopping," bringing high spirits to the occasion, while the Grinch's "One of a Kind" allows Sigmund to shine. Victor Zupanc, the conductor (through December 10, after which Jason Hansen takes the baton for the duration of the run), makes a giddy appearance to lead the audience in a sing-along, and draws terrific renditions of the show's score from the other eight musicians in the orchestra. Sound design by Sean Healy, lighting design by Nancy Schertler, and projection design by Craig Gottschalk are excellent, in particular creating the effect of the Grinch atop his sleigh, being pulled by hapless Young Max, leaping from mountaintop to mountaintop en route to stealing the Who's Christmas.

There are always Grinches in our lives, individuals, whether in our private worlds or the public sphere, who seem determined to cast gloom upon us and to derail any hope of joy and fulfillment. We need to find our own paths toward resilience and to follow our inner compass in the face of the Grinches of the world. This is a valuable lesson for children to learn. Many adults can also benefit from a refresher lesson, especially at times when Grinches seem to be holding sway.

Children's Theatre Company makes this annual renewal available for us, wrapped in a package of imagination-fueled entertainment. After innumerable readings of How the Grinch Stole Christmas, more viewings of the animated feature than I could count, and five (I believe) times attending the Children's Theatre Company production, this story continues to deliver an invaluable message to me, in trappings that never grow old.

Dr Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas runs through January 4, 2026, at the Children's Theatre Company, 2400 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis MN. For tickets and information, please call 612-874-0400 or visit childrenstheatre.org.

Book and Lyrics: Timothy Mason, based on the book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" by Dr. Seuss; Music: Mel Marvin; Director: Dean Holt; Choreographer: Karla Grotting; Music Direction: Jason Hansen and Victor Zupanc; Scenic Design: Tom Butsch; Costume Design: David Kay Mickelsen; Lighting Design: Nancy Schertler; Sound Design: Sean Healey; Projection Design: Craig Gottschalk; Additional Scenic Design: Joe Stanley; Conductor: Victor Zupanc through 12/10/2025 and Jason Hansen 12/10/2025 - closing; Associate Director: Stacy McIntosh; Stage Manager: Nate Stanger; Assistant Stage Manager: Shelby Reddig; Assistant Choreographer: Angela Steele; Assistant Lighting Designer: Ellie Simonett; Stage Management Fellow: Ashley Pupo.

Cast: Brody Breen (Danny Who), Adelyn Frost * (Young Max), Cortlan Gosa (Mini Grinch/ensemble), Matthew Hall (JP Who), Dean Holt (Old Max), Suzie Juul (Grandma Who), Luciana Erika Mayer (Annie Who), Autumn Ness (Mama Who), Adam Qualls (Grandpa Who), Janely Rodriguez (Betty-Lou Who), Eowyn Scullard (Mini-Max/ensemble), Reed Sigmund (The Grinch), Chloe Sorensen (Cindy-Lou Who), Harriet Spencer *(Young Max), Matea Córdova Stuart (Boo Who).

Ensemble: Maeve Finn, Ben Glisczinski, Brecken Lee, Grace Nelson, Ebony Ramquist, Tom Reed, Nicole Rush-Reese, Kaiden Schreiner, Elliot Schuster, Bastion Westerberg.