Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...So what maketh an excellent Grinch? Well, take one part Harvey Fierstein, add one part Christopher Walken, shake the whole with just a macabre splash of Richard Nixon and you've got a verdant critter capable of evoking nightmares, the intensity of which Cindy Lou and all the other Whos of Whoville could only dream of."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"..."Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas," the 90-minute musical version of the classic children's book, arrived at the Cadillac Palace Theatre Wednesday night. It's high-priced children's theater, with a story that is somewhere between "The Night Before Christmas" and a picture-book version of Scroogelike redemption. And while there are aspects of it that might easily get on one's nerves, there also are some quite delicious moments."
ShowBizChicago - Highly Recommended
"... Those young and old familiar with the story will find it this production a feast for the eyes and ears. The cast is first rate, the orchestra is vibrant and the design team (sets by John Lee Beatty, costumes by Robert Morgan and make-up designer Chad Jason) has created a storybook setting for the action to take place. Director Matt August keeps strikes the right balance between adult and child humor and the ensemble is clearly having as good of a time on stage as is the audience."
Chicago Theatre Addict - Somewhat Recommended
"...Aside from Karl and Iacono, this musical adaptation, directed by Matt August, is as stiff and one-dimensional as its sets (by John Lee Beatty). Yes, we gain some additional insight into the Grinch's Machiavellian motivations, and the telling of the tale by the Grinch's trusty hound Max (the appealing Bob Lauder) as a sort of memory play are smart and welcome additions, but, for a 90-minute one-act, there's a lot of fluff (not unlike the stuff pumped from the Caddy Palace's ceilings in the final moments to remind us that Christmas=snow)."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"... How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is only 90 minutes long—not much more time than it would take to watch the beloved animation and read the book by the late Dr. Seuss. Big League Productions’ touring production of a 2006 Broadway offering contains Jack O’Brien’s staging faithfully reprised by Matt August), resulting in a suitable stylization of the beloved holiday chestnut. Robert Morgan’s costumes for the relentlessly cheerful, ditheringly addlepated residents of Whoville could have stepped out of the storybook. The score, by book and lyricist Timothy Mason and composer Mel Marvin, is serviceable to a tale we want to remember rather than confront. (It also contains the original favorites, “Welcome Christmas” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” lyrics by Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, music by Albert Hague.)"
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...The original songs are fine, even though they all sound vaguely alike, but it's the two famous songs from the cartoon TV version, "Welcome Christmas" (written by Albert Hague and Dr. Seuss) and "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," sung by old Max, that really thrill, especially since the audience is encouraged to join in a sing-along. Much credit goes to John Lee Beatty and Robert Morgan's set and costume designs that pay tribute Dr. Seuss' illustrations, right down to the tiniest details. Their palate for everything is, like the book, all red, pink and white with black ink lining and cross-hatching, except for the Grinch's lime green fur and the evergreen tree and wreath."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Recommended
"... The only performance that matters comes from Stefan Karl, who hails from Iceland, as the Grinch. Karl starts off slowly and early on his Grinch lacks a bit of the lip smacking malevolence that would energize the story. But Karl picks up in gleeful nastiness as the narrative moves along and the Grinch’s redemption at the end is actually persuasive. Karl is a skilled physical actor with an expressive singing voice and it would be interesting to see him in a comic role that didn’t require a shaggy green costume and thick facial makeup"
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