NBC’s D Se. Seuss’ The Grinch Musical! Stink, stink, stink

If musical theater is an acquired taste, then There is a children’s musical theater Really Limited to specific applause. America got that crash course, courtesy of NBC De Seis’ The Grinch Musical! Broadcast 2018 is Moore Network’s first post-2018 musical venture Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. While most of these live musicals are geared toward a family audience (give or take Fox) Rent: live), Grinch It is primarily aimed at people 12 and under. D Se. This musical adaptation of Cess’s Christmas Classic began in 1994 at the Children’s Theater Company in Minneapolis, where it was designed as a gorgeous, occasional 85-minute break for children. And while a successful seasonal run on Broadway as well as a program of many popular national tours and annual regional productions was going on, the holiday theater’s shared communal space is so magical it doesn’t translate into small screens. .

NBC’s biggest problem so far Grinch The musical source is the material itself. Mel Marvin’s pain makes a heartbreaking score Sisological Sounds like a masterpiece in comparison, with memorable songs from the show’s only 1966 and 2000 film adaptations. And a script unnecessarily confused by Timothy Mason is no better. This version of Grinch It is described by an older version of Grinch’s dog Max (Dennis O’Hare) as a small puppy (Bubu Stewart) reflecting his life at the mercy of his hairy green owner (Matthew Morrison). The show has seemed a bit unfocused in recent episodes, including Logic Character Arcs, Semantic Themes or Basic Plot. And between Siddhi-Lu Hu (Amelia Minto) and her multi-generation family poetry dialogue and a completely undeveloped subplot, one can hardly get into the storytelling trench before another commercial break to break the sporadic production flow.

Grinch No one favored himself with his casting. Although Ohre and Stuart are generally trustworthy charm factories, they both came here a little flat – not sure if it would make their acting suitable for stage or screen. Morris, meanwhile, made the surprising choice of not necessarily making a choice when it came to stamping his own on Cess’s big green sweet. East Enjoy Star type, Jim tried to split the difference between Carrie Manic 2000 live action movie And Benedict Cumberbatch’s oddly low-key approach Is of 2018 Animated adaptationSwing something vaguely on Elvis-Y and Ted Woodville. Mostly, though, it felt like someone had trapped Mr. Xue in the singer’s room for too long. Morrison’s singing voice was loud, however, Grinch’s shrill voice, the people close to breaking the fourth wall were full nightmare fuel.

Photo: David Cotter / NBC

There were some high points throughout the evening, including fun costumes, a committed angle, and a really fantastic set design that acknowledged the illustrated aesthetics of the original book. The production was filmed on stage at the Trubaudour Theater in London, and instead of mimicking the experience of a TV movie, one of these live musicals was refreshed by openly embracing theater conventions. Max Webster’s staging, directed by Julia Knowles’ Camera Mera, has been praised, not always with these musical broadcasts. This probably helped that this was pre-tapped instead of filming live during a day or two.

Despite all that, Grinch Never more than the sum of its eccentric parts. While I usually watch the bright side of these TV musicals (I also liked) Peter Pan Live!), Grinch Only I missed the short-lived magic of coming to the theater with live performers and fellow audience members. It’s not hard to imagine the show’s vulgar jokes and the fourth wall breaking down, when they’re met with a bowl of laughter from a cheerful young audience excited by enthusiastic performers.

Photo: David Cotter / NBC

Of course, epidemics have made this experience impossible this year, and hopefully the young audience has at least found Some It’s magical while watching this broadcast from the comfort of their own homes (especially when watching the show’s talented kid dance their butts to the fullest). But with so many other versions Grinch Out there, it’s hard to imagine anyone making it to the top of the Christmas list. As quickly forgotten Christmas Story Live! Musical from a few years ago, this is a little holiday ephemera that seems destined for the “oh yeah, it happened” pile.

Stray observation

• Grinch wasn’t the right role for him, but I think Matthew Morrison is a very talented musical theater artist (I’m a giant Light in the piazza Fan) and I don’t mind watching him return to another musical one day. Maybe as a dentist Less shop of horror?
• Many of these Grinch Adaptation uncomfortably “It’s nice to be nice to outsiders” and “Young girls are infinitely forgiving for villain men.”
• Arguably, Amelia Minto was a real light, especially as Angeles Cindy-Lou.
• I was devastated to see Cindy’s mom list her holiday discomfort.

• Well, I laughed at Grinch, saying, “I kept my social distance before it cooled down.”