‘Grinch: The Musical’ On Broadway

This “Grinch” — to shorten things a bit — has been a regular crowd-pleaser for nine seasons at the Old Globe in San Diego and now a version has shown up in New York for the holidays, running through Jan. 7 at Broadway’s cavernous Hilton Theatre.

The production is brief, less than 90 minutes, and appetizing to look at since set designer John Lee Beatty’s wonderful Who-ville houses resemble gigantic ice-cream sundaes. But because of some ho-hum new songs, it’s also a bit bland except when the Grinch, a deliciously dyspeptic fellow with green fur, is front and center.

The Grinch is played by Patrick Page, who earned his villain stripes by portraying Scar in the Broadway production of “The Lion King.” Page has a robust voice, whether speaking and singing.

What’s more he seems to be enjoying himself and his enthusiasm and show-biz flash rub off on the production, whose color palette trends toward an excess of red and white. Just Christmasy or a nod perhaps to Target, its corporate sponsor?

The story, for those who somehow have never heard of Seuss, concerns a creature who hates Christmas, most likely because, as the good doctor’s classic children book says, the Grinch’s “heart was two sizes too small.”

So he decides to spoil the holiday for all the residents of Who-ville by stealing the children’s presents and just about everything else connected with the festivities. But darn, if he isn’t stopped in his tracks by little Cindy Lou Who. There’s more to Christmas than getting gifts.

This stage version by Timothy Mason has to compete with the memory of the delightful TV animated version, which had Boris Karloff as narrator and was first shown in 1966. We won’t talk about the 2000 Jim Carrey film adaptation.

Several musical numbers from television have been retained here — “Welcome, Christmas” and “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and they still are the best songs in the show. The stage score, music by Mel Marvin and lyrics by Mason, is efficiently cheerful if not exactly memorable.

The Grinch’s loyal canine companion, Max, is portrayed by Rusty Ross, who gets to perform the more athletic examples of John DeLuca’s spirited choreography. Some of the older Whos are impersonated by a group of reliable musical-theater performers including Kaitlin Hopkins, Michael McCormick and Jan Neuberger who are barely recognizable in their elaborate costumes and makeup.

And there is a narrator, too — an older version of Max played by the Tony-winning John Cullum, best known for his starring roles in such musicals as “Shenandoah” and “On the Twentieth Century.” The actor gives yeoman support to this venerable tale celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.

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