‘Grinch’ Entertains Without Stealing Heart

When Globe Theatres director Jack O’Brien referred to “our Green Friend” in his program notes for “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” he was no doubt aware that green means more than one thing. Now in its fourth profitable go-round at San Diego’s Globe Theatres, this musical version of the Dr. Seuss classic means green, as in cash. Which is fine; who doesn’t need cash?

Amazingly, the famous Boris Karloff-narrated TV version came very close to being just as wonderful and slyly funny as Seuss’ book. The Globe’s musical version, with a libretto and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin, may be better than the recent 70-ton Jim Carrey film (though Carrey himself certainly had his moments). But you want more. And in another way, less.

Guy Paul’s Grinch isn’t much to write Whoville about. Paul has played this role both in San Diego and, in Minneapolis, at the Children’s Theatre Company, where the Mason/Marvin adaptation originated. Maybe he has put on the green fur once too often. But Paul, a strong actor in the right role, hasn’t much of a voice for these songs; his physical comedy is adequate at best; and he goes in for some obvious and sluggishly timed (or else weirdly rushed) line readings, heavy on the sarcasm and anachronisms. (Anyone who does De Niro’s “You talkin’ to me?” at this point should probably be fined by Actors’ Equity.)

This “Grinch” is narrated by Old Max (Julian Gamble, very good), the dog who long ago was forced to don those antlers and play a reindeer in his master’s nefarious scheme. According to the Marvin/Mason score the Grinch’s cold, cold heart is melted by a ballad, “Santa for a Day,” sung by Cindy-Lou Who (Arianna Ayesha Afsar at the performance I saw). The song is very much in the “Tomorrow” vein, a vein that may or may not make you want to open one of your own.

On some level, any “Grinch” is failure-proof, and this 75-minute edition delivers the mail. O’Brien’s traffic is very nicely stage-managed. But there’s a grating quality to the shtick here, not much in the way of actual charm. And Marvin’s melodies lack distinction. (He keeps changing tempos and whole styles mid-tune.) I liked the four-part vocal harmony on “Last Minute Shopping,” led handily by Melinda Gilb as Mama Who, but even this ditty fits the story somewhat oddly: It’s all about consumerist madness and commercialism, which to some degree all the Whos down in Whoville should transcend, even before the Grinch steals everybody’s presents.

As a family holiday diversion, this one’s OK. And “OK” does not apply to anything Seuss himself wrote.

*

“How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” The Globe Theatres, Balboa Park, San Diego. Tuesdays-Fridays, 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2 and 7:30 p.m.; 10:30 a.m. matinees, Wednesdays-Thursdays (limited availability). Call for Christmas/New Year’s week schedule. Ends Dec. 31. $15-$50. (619) 239-2255. Running time: 1 hour, 15 minutes.

Guy Paul ... The Grinch

Julian Gamble ... Old Max

Rusty Ross ... Young Max

Mary Frances McClay/

Arianna Ayesha Afsar ... Cindy Lou Who

Eileen Bowman ... Grandma Who

Melinda Gilb... Mama Who

Book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, based on Dr. Seuss. Music by Mel Marvin. Directed by Jack O’Brien. Scenic design by John Lee Beatty. Lighting by Pat Collins. Costumes by Robert Morgan. Sound by Paul Peterson (based on Jeff Ladman’s design). Stage manager Joel Rosen.