This year, The Old Globe invites fans to curl up next to the radio and turn on their imaginations.
San Diegans flock to The Old Globe every year to watch their annual production of Dr. Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas! It’s become a holiday tradition for many families, but due to this year’s circumstances, the theater is unable to put on their usual production. Instead, The Old Globe has teamed up with KPBS radio for an old-fashioned remix of the fan favorite.
The theater hopes the audio-only production will offer fans a different perspective of the classic play. In an interview with the San Diego Union-Tribune, James Vásquez, director of this year’s production, talked about how the lack of visuals will steer the audience towards other sometimes less noticed elements of the production.
Aspects like the music and quieter moments with only dialogue are highlighted, allowing fans to see (or rather, hear) the story from a new angle. “When we’re having to paint the picture with our words rather than dancing across the stage, it forced us to go, ‘oh, there’s a little more there,’ ” Vásquez said.
The Grinch is back! Our stages may be dark, but it just wouldn't be the holidays in San Diego without that big green meanie. We are teaming up with @KPBS to present an audio-only presentation of the musical favorite. Four broadcastings, available for FREE! Details w/ @sdut here: https://t.co/jbEk7ySP91
— The Old Globe (@TheOldGlobe) October 29, 2020
This year’s audio-only Grinch production has been made available for San Diegans to revisit the famed whimsical tale four times through Christmas Eve. The Old Globe has broadcast two shows already, and the next one will air at noon this Sunday, December 20. On Christmas Eve (December 24), the production will air for the last time this season at 6 pm. The show is broadcast for free on KPBS Radio 89.5 FM, on the KPBS website and app, as well as on smart speakers.
So dust off your radios and mark your calendars, San Diego! It’s time to curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket, and sing along to those family favorites like “Santa for a Day,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and “Welcome, Christmas (Fah Who Doraze)!”
[Featured image: The Old Globe]