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Book and Lyrics by Timothy Mason Music by Mel Marvin Original Production Conceived and Directed by Jack O'Brien Directed by James Vásquez
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for its 15th incredible year, the family favorite features the songs "This Time of Year," "Santa for a Day" and "Fah Who Doraze," the delightful carol from the popular animated version of How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Celebrate the holidays as the Old Globe Theatre is once again transformed into the snow-covered Whoville, right down to the last can of Who-hash.
Click here to download the Grinch performance calendar (with children cast schedule).
11 a.m. matinee performances are open to ALL AGES.
Everyone must have a ticket. Children under age 3 will not be
admitted except during 11 a.m. performances.
This year, the Globe offered an autism-friendly performance of The Grinch. To learn more, click here.
Special thanks to Theatre Development Fund's Autism Theatre Initiative for serving as an advisor, www.tdf.org/autism.
Dr. Seuss Properties TM & © 1957 and 2012. Dr. Seuss Enterprises, L.P. All Rights Reserved.
Aaron Acosta (Danny Who, Pink Group) has previously appeared at The Old Globe in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! ('09-'11). His other recent theatre credits include the world premiere of Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin (a.k.a. Chaplin) (La Jolla Playhouse) and Peter Pan and My Son Pinocchio (San Diego Junior Theatre). Mr. Acosta received the 2009 National Youth Theatre Award (13 and under) for his performance in the role of Gavroche in Les Misérables (California Youth Conservatory Theatre). His film credits include lead roles in Never Give Up (short, 2012) and Slingers (2013).
is thrilled to be back in Whoville for a fourth year after performing in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! from 2011 to 2013. He was most recently seen as Evan Goldman in California Youth Conservatory's production of 13. His other recent credits include Kurt von Trapp in San Diego Musical Theatre's award-winning production of The Sound of Music and The Artful Dodger in Peter Pan Junior Theater's production of Oliver! Mr. Babbitt is 14 and an eighth grader at the La Mesa Arts Academy where he is a member of the Boy's Ensemble. He would like to thank his family and friends for believing in him and the production team for once again giving him the opportunity to be a part of this wonderful San Diego holiday tradition. Enjoy the show!
is thrilled to be back as part of the Grinch family. He recently appeared at the Globe as Mamillius in William Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale and previously played Boo Who in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! He recently played Gavroche in both the Lamb's Players Theatre and the California Youth Conservatory productions of Les Misérables, winner of the 2013 Bravo San Diego Award for Best Musical. Mr. Bertran's other theatre credits include William in the West Coast premiere production of Frankenstein The Musical (Art In Relation in Long Beach) and Archie in 13 and Young Shrek and Peter Pan in Shrek The Musical (California Youth Conservatory). He recently finished production of the feature film Ruta Madre, playing the part of Young Daniel, to be released in 2015, and previously played the lead role in Cinequest's inspirational short film Birdboy. Mr. Bertran is fluent in English and Spanish and has played the piano since he was four. When he is not on stage performing, he enjoys cooking, reading, and writing short stories.
Steve Blanchard reprises his role as The Grinch from the 2011 and 2012 productions of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Mr. Blanchard has appeared on Broadway in Beauty and the Beast, Camelot, The Three Musketeers and A Christmas Carol. His National Tours include Little House on the Prairie, Camelot, The Phantom of the Opera, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Hans Christian Andersen. His Off Broadway credits include Orphan Train, Johnny Guitar, Frankenstein, Treasure Island, Moby Dick and An Oak Tree. He has appeared regionally in Little House on the Prairie (Guthrie Theater), Tarzan (Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma) and Esmeralda (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis). Blanchard's television credits include "Law & Order," "Third Watch," "Cupid," "Ed," "Sunset Beat," "Police Story," "Guiding Light," "One Life to Live" and "Another World." He has appeared in the films Those Who Wander, Dark Vengeance, Savva and Rap Master Ronnie: A Report Card for HBO. He can be heard on the original recordings of Johnny Guitar, Sundown, Frankenstein and Northbound Train.
Liam James Brandt (Danny Who, Red Group) is pleased to return to Whoville and The Old Globe in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! ('10 and '11). His other theatre credits include Peter Pan (Carlsbad Performing Arts Academy), The Comedy of Errors and The Jungle Book (North Coast Repertory Theatre), The Wizard of Oz (Actors Alliance of San Diego), The Music Man, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Princess and the Pea, Beauty and the Beast, Annie and The Wizard of Oz (Coast Kids Theater) and The Little Red Hen (San Diego Junior Theatre). His film credits include The Overwhelming Possibility directed by T. Ryder Smith. Mr. Brandt had a voice-over role in Somewhere (The Old Globe). He studies dance at Carlsbad Dance Centre and is a student at The Children's School in La Jolla.
Annie Buckley (Annie Who, Pink Group) is a 13-year-old seventh-grade student at Parkway Middle School in La Mesa. This is her second year of playing Annie Who in The Grinch. Her other credits include Duffy in Annie (Moonlight Stage Productions) and Lily in An American Christmas (Lamb's Players Theatre). She has also performed at Peter Pan Junior Theatre in The Music Man and Peter Pan. She enjoys playing soccer, creating art, singing and dancing. Ms. Buckley is honored and excited to be performing at The Old Globe again this holiday. She would like to thank her family, friends and recent directors for always believing in her, and she wishes everyone a warm holiday.
Ava Marie Bunn (Little Who Ensemble, Pink Group) is thrilled to be making her Globe debut in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The show has been a favorite of hers for years. Ms. Bunn is an honor student in the sixth grade. She has appeared in multiple shows with San Diego Junior Theatre. Some of her favorites to perform in have been The Fantastic Mr. Fox, Rippledink's Repertory, Annie and Peter Pan. She has also done work in numerous voice-overs, print ads and television commercials. She is a competitive gymnast and also loves unicycling and various forms of dance.
Jacob Caltrider previously appeared at the Globe with Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! ('11 and '12) and Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show. His local credits include Assassins, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Sweeney Todd and The History Boys (Cygnet Theatre Company), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (North Coast Repertory Theatre) and Marry Me a Little, Twist, Yank! and the original casts of Harmony, Kansas and The Daddy Machine (Diversionary Theatre).
has previously appeared at The Old Globe in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (2011-2013) and Allegiance – A New American Musical. His other San Diego credits include The Servant of Two Masters (Craig Noel Award nomination), The Foreigner, miXtape, and The Music Man (Lamb's Players Theatre, Associate Artist), Assassins, Parade, Little Shop of Horrors, and Sweeney Todd (Cygnet Theatre Company, Resident Artist), I Love You Because and A Christmas Carol (2008-2009) (North Coast Repertory Theatre), A Waltz Dream (Lyric Opera San Diego), and Next to Normal (San Diego Musical Theatre). Mr. Carr has appeared Off Broadway in Bush Wars and on the national tours of Phantom, The Buddy Holly Story, and Grease. His favorite regional credits include Leo Bloom in The Producers, Harold Nichols in The Full Monty, Sparky in Forever Plaid, the title role in Bat Boy, Smee in Peter Pan, Feste in Twelfth Night, Buddy Fidler in City of Angels, Luther Billis in South Pacific, Man #2 in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, and Gus Esmond Jr. in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (BroadwayWorld Award nomination). He holds an M.F.A. in Acting and Directing from Sarah Lawrence College and a dual B.A. in Music and Theatre Arts from Hartwick College. GenoCarr.com.
is thrilled to return to The Grinch for her fourth year. She was recently seen at The Old Globe as Lady Montague in The Last Goodbye. Some of her favorite credits include Lina Lamont in Singin' in the Rain (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse in New York), the national tours of Phantom and The Buddy Holly Story, Dorothy in the Washington, D.C., premiere of Summer of '42 (Round House Theatre), and The Foreigner (Lamb's Players Theatre). Ms. Carr received her B.F.A. in Musical Theatre from Elon University and her M.F.A. from San Diego State University. She is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Ms. Carr operates a private studio in San Diego where she offers voice lessons and audition preparation. She is grateful to perform with several of her students, tons of her friends, and her marvelous husband, Geno Carr. nancysnowcarr.com.
Jason Edward Cook (Young Max) is wagging his tail with excitement to make his Globe debut in The Grinch. Mr. Cook earned his degree in Musical Theatre at the University of Southern Maine. His recent theatre credits include With Glee (Off Broadway, Prospect Theater Company), Huck in Big River (PlayMakers Repertory Company), Academy (New York Musical Theatre Festival, Maltz Jupiter Theatre), Disney's High School Musical 2 (North Carolina Theatre), Hello, Dolly! (Arkansas Repertory Theatre), Oliver! (White Plains Performing Arts Center), Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them (B Street Theatre), A Little Night Music, Beauty and the Beast and Grand Hotel (Maine State Music Theatre) and Stephen Schwartz' Captain Louie (National Tour). He can be seen on Instant Netflix, Starz and The Movie Channel (if you're lucky) as Petey in Rising Stars. Mr. Cook also stars in his production company BadKid Productions' first web series, "Laid Off," with Shirley Jones as his nana. www.BadKidProductions.com.
Kevin Davison is thrilled to be returning to The Old Globe for a third season and thanks the artistic team for an amazing experience. He was most recently seen as Randolph in Bye Bye Birdie. Some of his other favorite roles have been Jojo in Seussical (Pickwick Players), King Louie in Disney's The Jungle Book (Young Actors' Theatre) and The Mayor of Munchkinland in The Wizard of Oz and Michael Darling in Peter Pan (Christian Youth Theater). Mr. Davison, who is 13 years old, loves singing, dancing and writing music. When he isn't on stage he likes texting his friends, hanging out with his awesome sister Randi and taking golf lessons. He likes all kinds of movies ranging from Matilda to The Avengers. Mr. Davison hopes to be on Broadway someday but knows that wherever life takes him he will always have a song in his heart.
is so excited to be returning to The Old Globe for her third year in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! She is an accomplished harpist and dancer who is enjoying the challenge of her first year of both transitioning to the pedal harp and dancing en pointe. Her favorite theatre roles include Janee in South Pacific (Welk Resort Theatre) and ensemble roles in Once Upon a Mattress (Pickwick Players) and Honk! (San Diego Junior Theatre). Ms. Dimmick has also been seen on stage with The California Ballet Company in The Nutcracker (2009-2011), Dracula (2012-2013), Alice in Wonderland, and this year's San Diego International Fringe Festival. Ms. Dimmick treasures sharing the stage once more with her sister, Gabriella, and is happiest when lost in a good book.
Randall Dodge previously appeared at the Globe in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! ('06-'07, '10-'12). His regional credits include Emile in South Pacific, Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Signor Naccarelli in The Light in the Piazza, Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Captain von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Carl Magnus in A Little Night Music, Prince/Wolf in Into the Woods, Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun, Dr. Neville Craven in The Secret Garden, Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance, El Gallo in The Fantasticks, Father in Children of Eden, Joe in The Most Happy Fella, Bounder in The Scarlet Pimpernel, Chuck Baxter in Promises, Promises and Mr. Bratt in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, as well as Kit in No Way to Treat a Lady and Pete 'n' Keely, both West Coast premieres. Mr. Dodge is a proud graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. RandallDodge.net.
Lilith Freund (Cindy-Lou Who, Pink Group) is thrilled to be making her professional stage debut at The Old Globe. She appeared on Ryan Seacrest's "I Kid with Brad Garrett" for TLC and played Gretel in a staged reading of The Sound of Music with San Diego Community Actors Theatre. Now an eight-year-old third grader at Marie Curie Elementary School in San Diego, Ms. Freund has performed in the annual Curie School plays, including the lead role of Willie in last year's production of The Castaways. Dancing ballet since she was three, she has appeared in numerous productions of The Nutcracker around San Diego and now studies at Ballet Arte in Solana Beach. Ms. Freund would like to thank her amazingly supportive Freund/Haskel family, her twin brother Oliver, teachers, coaches and everyone who has helped and encouraged her on the way to the stage.
has previously appeared at the Globe in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1999-2000, 2003, 2005, 2007-2013), Suds: The Rocking '60s Musical Soap Opera (also co-writer/arranger), A Trip to Chinatown and Hadrian VII. His Off Broadway credits include Suds (original cast), Forever Plaid, Back to Bacharach and David (original cast, co-created with Kathy Najimy), Butley, and Street Scene. Mr. Gunderson and Richard Dreyfuss battled it out as opposing attorneys in Dustin Lance Black's 8 at The Birch North Park Theatre. His additional credits include His Girl Friday (San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award nomination), The Nightingale, and Memphis (La Jolla Playhouse), Dirty Blonde, Parade, and Sweeney Todd (Cygnet Theatre Company), Romance, Miss Witherspoon, and A Christmas Carol (San Diego Repertory Theatre), An Ideal Husband (Lamb's Players Theatre), 1776 (Cabrillo Music Theatre), Birds of a Feather (Diversionary Theatre), and major roles at Pasadena Playhouse, Laguna Playhouse, Alliance Theatre, North Coast Repertory Theatre, New Village Arts, and La Mirada Theatre. He played multiple roles in the national tour of The Grapes of Wrath with Ed Harris and in the popular revue The Melinda & Steve Show with Melinda Gilb. His television credits include various voices on "King of the Hill" and the new "Beavis and Butt-Head." In 2010, Mr. Gunderson won the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Craig Noel Award for Actor of the Year and for his performance as Wilbur in Hairspray (San Diego Repertory Theatre).
Katrina Heil (Little Who Ensemble, Pink Group) is in the second grade. Her ballet training includes Neisha's Dance Academy and San Diego Civic Youth Ballet. She appeared as a Baby Mouse in SDCYB's The Nutcracker. She has trained vocally with Karyn Overstreet and Cris O'Bryon. Her interests include reading, singing, writing, swimming and playing with her little brother Tristan.
sat in awe at the age of three and watched Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at The Old Globe. It was then that she said, "I want to do that!" This show inspired her to pursue musical theatre. She is honored and elated to be back in Whoville for a third year. She is a seventh grader at The Language Academy and is fluent in French. Her first love is musical theatre, and her credits include Annie (Moonlight Stage Productions), Little Inez in Hairspray (Southwestern College), Alice's Daughter in Big River (California Youth Conservatory),Once Upon a Mattress (Actors' Conservatory Theatre – San Diego), a supporting role in an independent film, and many productions at San Diego Junior Theatre. Merry Christmas!
Sydney Rose Horowitz (Betty-Lou Who, Pink Group) is thrilled and honored to be making her Globe debut. Recently she won the Outstanding Achievement Award for her portrayal of Elizabeth in New York with the Stagedoor Manor premiere of Whistle Down the Wind. Her other performances for Stagedoor Manor include Zebulun in Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat and Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Ms. Horowitz has performed at San Diego Junior Theatre for the past eight years, and her credits include Pepper in Annie and Young Sour Kangaroo in Seussical the Musical. Currently she attends the School of Creative and Performing Arts. Ms. Horowitz would like to thank God, her family and friends. A special shout goes out to Brian and David who sang showtunes to her since she was a little girl – love you all!
Kyle J. Jackson (Grown-Up Who Ensemble, u/s Papa Who) is thrilled to be back in Whoville for his third year of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at the Globe. He acquired a B.A. in Theatre Arts from California State University, Fullerton, and he classically trained in voice at California State University, Long Beach. He has previously worked as a principal singer for Celebrity Cruises. His theatre credits include the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, Roger in Grease, Young Fool in Big River, Horton in Seussical the Musical, Nanki-Poo in The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance (Performance Riverside), The Gondoliers directed by Richard Sheldon and La Fille du Régiment directed by Nicola Bowie. He attributes his successes to his supportive family, friends and loved ones. www.kylejonathanjackson.com.
Phil Johnson (Grandpa Who) returns to the Globe with this year's production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! He has appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables and in the National Tours of Sunset Boulevard and Miss Saigon. His San Diego credits include Mistakes Were Made and Little Shop of Horrors (Cygnet Theatre Company), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Don't Dress for Dinner, Leading Ladies and Pageant (North Coast Repertory Theatre), The Man Who Came to Dinner (Coronado Playhouse), The New Century (Diversionary Theatre), A Christmas Carol (San Diego Repertory Theatre), Forever Plaid (Theatre in Old Town) and True West (Sledgehammer Theatre). His original comedies include a one-man Hound of the Baskervilles (San Diego Foundation Artist Grantee), Nemesis with Mike Sears, Say Cheese (San Diego, Los Angeles and Chicago) and Casa del HaHa, an original sketch show. His television credits include "Notes from the Underbelly" (ABC), and he is a member of Acme Comedy Theatre, L.A. www.philjohnson.net.
Gabi Leibowitz is proud and excited to be returning to The Old Globe for her third year. She has been performing in dance, musical theatre and film since the age of four and has been fortunate to work with professional and community theatre companies including Lyric Opera San Diego, San Diego Junior Theatre, J*Company Youth Theatre and Actors' Conservatory Theatre – San Diego. She recently played Emma in LEGO Friends LIVE and Hazel the Witchette in the Brick-or-Treat musical at LEGOLAND California. Some of her favorite roles include Betty-Lou Who in Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! ('11), the principal role of Ti Moune in Once on This Island (Francis Parker School), Shprintze in Fiddler on the Roof (Lyric Opera San Diego) and most recently Minnie Fae in Hello, Dolly! (J*Company). Ms. Leibowitz studies ballet, jazz and tap at The Dance Academy and has performed locally in The Nutcracker for eight years. Highlights of her achievements this year include San Diego Superstars Finalist, San Diego's Got Talent finalist, Carlsbad Community Talent winner and National Youth Theatre Award nominee. Ms. Leibowitz has been blessed with a wonderful community of family, friends, coaches and mentors and appreciates all of their love, guidance and inspiration.
Caitlin McAuliffe is so thankful to return for her third season in this year's production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! She is so happy to be back performing with all of her friends from Whoville! Her first two years with The Grinch were as Cindy-Lou Who, and this year, she is very excited to play Cindy-Lou's big sister, Betty-Lou Who. Most recently, Ms. McAuliffe played Young Cosette in Les Misérables (California Youth Conservatory). She is beginning to branch out into film, recently completing a commercial for Nikken Sleep Systems and an anti-bullying video for college students studying psychology. Ms. McAuliffe is 10 years old and loves to sing and dance. She danced competitively for four years and is part of Leigh Scarritt Productions where she has performed at various San Diego venues. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her friends from school. She also cherishes her time with her three big brothers: Corey, Chris and Brad; and her three dogs: Coco, Faith and Sweets. She feels very blessed to be a part of this magical production and hopes that it brings joy to everyone's holiday season. Merry Grinchmas!
is thrilled to return to Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! for his sixth consecutive year after playing Danny Who last year and Boo Who 2009-2012. Most recently he played the role of Jem Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird (New Village Arts) and Macduff's Son in Macbeth (Intrepid Shakespeare Company). Last year he performed the role of Simon in the staged reading of Displacement (Pasadena Playhouse) and the role of George Ewell in local staged readings of Death of a Midsummer Songbird (Cygnet Theatre Company, Intrepid Shakespeare, and Diversionary Theatre). Mr. Nalbandian will play the role of Henry in The Lord of the Flies at New Village Arts next spring, and he is awaiting the 2015 release of the movie Sex, Death and Bowling, in which he appears as a young Adrian Grenier. In addition to acting, he is an award-winning competitive dancer at Georgia's School of Dance in Escondido. Mr. Nalbandian is grateful to everyone at The Old Globe and is honored to return to Whoville with his Who family this holiday season.
Amanda Naughton has previously appeared at the Globe in A Doll's House, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Jane Austen's Emma – A Musical Romantic Comedy, Lost in Yonkers, The Women, The Constant Wife, Loves & Hours, and Paramour. Her Broadway credits include Into the Woods (2002 revival) and The Secret Garden (also the National Tour, Jefferson Award nominee). She has appeared Off Broadway in Romance in Hard Times, Hundreds of Hats, 3 Postcards, and Mr. President. Regionally she has been seen in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Chasing the Song (La Jolla Playhouse), A Little Night Music (Goodspeed Musicals, LA Opera, South Coast Repertory), Amour and O. Henry's Lovers (Goodspeed Musicals), On the Town (Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera), Gypsy, Tartuffe, The Waves, Misalliance, Bedroom Farce, and The Threepenny Opera (Hangar Theatre), Anything Goes, Hello, Dolly!, The Sound of Music, The Foreigner, Lend Me a Tenor, Steel Magnolias, and Barefoot in the Park (Forestburgh Playhouse), The Royal Family (Caldwell Theatre Company), The Betrayal of Nora Blake (Cuillo Centre For The Arts), Another Kind of Hero (Walnut Street Theatre), and Edith Stein (Geva Theatre). Her television credits include the role of Betty Roberts on AMC's original series "Remember WENN," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Payne" with John Larroquette, and "Chappelle's Show." Her film credits include Mexico City and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, which opened December 25, 2013.
Alison Grace Norwood (Teen Who, Red Group) is thrilled to be returning back to The Grinch for her fifth year in Whoville. Her theatre credits include Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (San Diego Musical Theatre), Louella Soames in Our Town, Lois Lane in Kiss Me, Kate and Olive in The 25th Putnam County Spelling Bee (Canyon Crest Academy), Oklahoma! (Moonlight Stage Productions) and Tiny Tim in A Dickens' Christmas Carol (Branson, Missouri). Her voice-over work includes "It's a Small World" for Disney on Ice: Disneyland Adventures, Annie in Disney Playhouse Live: Little Einsteins, Disney on Ice: World of Fantasy. Her film credits include Ready? Okay! (Daisy 3 Pictures). Ms. Norwood is also an active member on the La Jolla Playhouse Student Board.
Carly Nykanen (Grown-Up Who Ensemble, u/s Mama Who) is excited to be back in Whoville where she was previously seen as a Who in 2011 and 2006. Her regional credits include Limelight: The Story of Charlie Chaplin and Bonnie & Clyde (La Jolla Playhouse), Harvey (Lamb's Players Theatre), Urinetown, Into the Woods, Oklahoma! and Sweeney Todd (Starlight Musical Theatre) and Fiddler on the Roof and Twice Upon a Time (Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities). Ms. Nykanen has been seen in several commercials and unexpectedly giving birth on TLC's medical reenactment show "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant." She received her B.A. from UC Irvine. Proud member of AEA.
Kaitlyn O'Leary is thrilled to be a part of The Grinch for a second year as Annie Who. This summer she won the title of Ultimate Triple Threat at the San Diego County Fair and had the honor of singing the national anthem for the Southern California Open at La Costa Resort, the San Diego Chargers Bolt to the Q 5K race and the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center. Ms. O'Leary's recent credits include performing with the Breakthrough Workshop Theatre at the Museum of Photographic Arts as well as a fundraising production for Kroc Kids Junior Theatre Company, A Gala Musical Revue, with Leigh Scarritt Productions. Ms. O'Leary's past credits include Ette in Legally Blonde, Youth Choir in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at San Diego Musical Theatre, Celebrity Sonnets and San Diego Shakespeare Society's Musicale. She wishes all of you a very Merry Who Christmas!
Allison Spratt Pearce (Grown-Up Who Ensemble, u/s Grandma Who) was recently seen at The Old Globe as Phoebe in As You Like It, Ceres in The Tempest, Katherina in Amadeus and Jane in Jane Austen's Emma – A Musical Romantic Comedy. She also appeared in Globe/USD M.F.A. productions as Anna in Fathers and Sons and Viola in Twelfth Night. She was in the original Broadway and Off Broadway productions of Cry-Baby, Curtains and Good Vibrations and originated the role of Miss B. in Enter Laughing. Her favorite leading roles include My Fair Lady (Capital Repertory Theater), The Girl in the Frame (Goodspeed Musicals and Manhattan Theatre Club), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Flat Rock Playhouse), Cabaret (National Tour) and Grease! (European Tour). In film and television, she has appeared in The Smurfs, He Got Game, "NY-70" (NBC pilot), hosting on HSN and numerous national commercials. Mrs. Pearce can be seen in the national Lee Riders Jeans ads and Empire City Casino commercials. She received her B.F.A. in Music Theatre from Elon University and M.F.A from The Old Globe/USD in Drama. Mrs. Pearce is a coach for Musical Theatre College Auditions, which provides college audition preparation for musical theatre and acting programs. www.allisonsprattpearce.com.
Madison Pyle (Betty-Lou Who, Red Group) is honored and excited to be back with her Whoville family this holiday season. She is a 12-year-old sixth-grade student at San Elijo Middle School who loves to read, play the flute and tap dance. Ms. Pyle's theatre credits include Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! ('11) and Odyssey (The Old Globe), Annie (Moonlight Stage Productions) and Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, Junie B. Jones and Pinkalicious (San Diego Junior Theatre). Ms. Pyle has been blessed to be surrounded by wonderful family, friends and mentors who inspire her each and every day!
Avalon Robbins (Little Who Ensemble, Red Group) is an 11-year-old actor, singer, dancer and model. She began modeling as a baby and fell in love with acting at 4 years old. She has shot hundreds of print ads, packaging and campaigns. She has appeared in several commercials (including a Build-A-Bear commercial with Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice). Ms. Robbins has appeared in television shows, Disney promos, short films and independent films. She is the voice of Millie and Melody (Minnie Mouse's nieces) on Disney Channel's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and has a recurring role as Millie on Minnie's Bow-Toons on Disney Junior. She recently had a lead role in the 20th Century Fox film The Three Stooges as Murph. Ms. Robbins started her theatre career at eight years old when she was nominated for best young actress as Molly in Annie. Her other roles include Young Cinderella in Cinderella, Kate in Annie, Beaky in Honk!, Young Silvermist in Peter Pan, Wizard understudy in Once Upon a Mattress, Student in Disney's High School Musical and Townsgirl in Beauty and the Beast. Ms. Robbins hopes to one day be a director for Broadway, television and film. Her full resume is available on IMDB. www.avalonrobbins.com.
Maxine Sutton (Little Who Ensemble, Pink Group) enjoyed watching the Grinch as an audience member last season, decided she loved the show, auditioned and is thrilled to be making her debut at The Old Globe! She has enjoyed many roles, especially being a Bird in San Diego Junior Theatre's The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley and Rita in Kids Theatre Network's Thoroughly Modern Millie, Jr. She enjoys dance, music, science and hanging out with her friends. She has been a district finalist in the California PTA Reflections Program for her dance performances in both 2011 and 2012. She has received a Congressional Award of Merit for being a national finalist in the 2011 Toshiba ExploraVision Science Competition. She is thankful to the production team for offering her this role and all those who have helped in her training.
is thrilled to return to The Old Globe and The Grinch for her third year in Whoville. Ms. Venter was last seen by San Diego audiences as Fantine in Les Misérables (Lamb's Players Theatre). Her other San Diego credits include Annabella/Margaret/Pamela in The 39 Steps, Sarah in Trying, and Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls (Lamb's Players Theatre), Marcy in I Love You Because (North Coast Repertory Theatre), and Beehive: The 60's Musical and I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Miracle Theatre Productions at the Theatre in Old Town). Her regional credits include Theresa and Dr. Zimmerman in the workshop production of Triangle (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley), Andrea in Timepiece (The Active Theater), Nancy in Oliver! (Woodminster Amphitheater), Amalia in She Loves Me and Gloria in Boeing-Boeing (Center REP Theatre), Polly Peachum in The Threepenny Opera and Nina in A Seagull in the Hamptons (Shotgun Players), and Philotis in 'Tis Pity She's a Whore and Martha Cratchit and Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol (American Conservatory Theater). Ms. Venter earned her B.A. in Theatre from San Diego State University and her M.F.A. in Acting from the American Conservatory Theater.
has been represented at the Globe and on Broadway with the musical Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! His other theatre credits include Levitation, Only You, Babylon Gardens with Timothy Hutton and Mary-Louise Parker, and The Fiery Furnace starring Julie Harris (Circle Repertory Company), his five-play The Young Americans Cycle, comprised of Ascension Day, The Less Than Human Club, Time on Fire, Mullen's Alley, and My Life in the Silents (American Conservatory Theater's Young Conservatory in San Francisco), Cannibals (Naked Eye Theatre in Chicago), Six (Guthrie Theater Lab), Actors Theatre of Louisville, South Coast Repertory, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Victory Gardens Theater, the Jungle Theatre in Minneapolis, and the Royal National Theatre, London. Mr. Mason created many plays for young audiences at the Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis, including several musicals in collaboration with Mel Marvin, and the first Dr. Seuss musical, The 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins with composer Hiram Titus. Mr. Mason's novel for middle-school kids, The Last Synapsid, was published by Random House. His new novel, The Chorister, is a historical thriller for adults.
has composed at the Globe for Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and Tintypes. His Broadway credits include Yentl, A History of the American Film, Tintypes (Tony Award nomination), Fascinating Rhythm, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and Cymbeline (Lincoln Center Theater). He has also had nine shows produced Off Broadway. His other credits include scores for many of America's best-known regional theatres, including Arena Stage, The Guthrie Theater, American Repertory Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, Lincoln Center Theater, and Mark Taper Forum, where he was an associate artist and wrote the original music for the premiere of Angels in America. Mr. Marvin's other projects include Guest from the Future, an opera with libretto by Jonathan Levi that had its premiere in the Summerscape program at the new Fisher Center for the Arts in July 2004, and Buwalsky, an opera commissioned by Holland's Opera Spanga that premiered in The Netherlands in August 2004 and subsequently toured the U.S. with performances in New Haven and New York City. A recent musical, EDEN, set in New Orleans the week after Katrina, was done at the O'Neill Music Theater Conference in July 2010. Elmer Gantry, a musical of the Sinclair Lewis novel, received a major revival this fall at Signature Theatre Company. Mr. Marvin is head faculty composer and producing director of the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is one of seven musicals for young audiences he has written for his daughter, Kate.
served as the Artistic Director of The Old Globe from 1981 through 2007. Mr. O'Brien directed the 2014 Broadway revival of It's Only a Play starring F. Murray Abraham, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Stockard Channing, and Megan Mullally. His Broadway credits also include: Macbeth with Ethan Hawke, The Nance, Dead Accounts, Catch Me If You Can, Impressionism, The Coast of Utopia (Tony Award), Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Tony nomination), Henry IV (Tony Award), Hairspray (Tony Award), Imaginary Friends, The Invention of Love (Tony nomination, Drama Desk Award), The Full Monty (Tony nomination), More to Love, Getting Away with Murder, Pride's Crossing, The Little Foxes, Hapgood (Lucille Lortel Award, Best Director), Damn Yankees, Two Shakespearean Actors (Tony nomination), Porgy and Bess (Tony Award). Metropolitan Opera: II Trittico. London: Love Never Dies, Hairspray (Olivier nomination). National Theatre: His Girl Friday. Six movies for PBS's "American Playhouse." Awards: 2008 Theatre Hall of Fame Inductee, 2005 John Houseman Award, ArtServe Michigan 2008 International Achievement Award, Honorary Doctorate, University of Michigan. Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters, University of San Diego. Film (actor): Sex and the City 2. Jack Be Nimble: The Accidental Education of an Unintentional Director, his memoir about the early years of his career, was released in the summer of 2013 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
has previously worked at The Old Globe directing Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and Richard O'Brien's The Rocky Horror Show, serving as Associate Director of Jane Austen's Emma – A Musical Romantic Comedy, and providing musical staging for Boeing-Boeing and the 2013 Shakespeare Festival production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Most recently, he directed the Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program's Clybourne Park, and will work with Scott Ellis this summer as movement consultant for The Comedy of Errors. He received San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award nominations for Outstanding Direction of a Musical for the world premiere of Harmony, Kansas and the West Coast premiere of [title of show] (Diversionary Theatre), and he won the award in 2010 for Sweeney Todd (Cygnet Theatre Company). His other recent directing/choreography credits include West Side Story and Cats (San Diego Musical Theatre), Marry Me a Little, Birds of a Feather, Pippin, and Next Fall (Diversionary), and Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Little Shop of Horrors (Cygnet), as well as developmental workshops at La Jolla Playhouse and Goodspeed Musicals. In 2004, Mr. Vásquez founded Daisy 3 Pictures with Mark Holmes and Carrie Preston. Their first two feature films, 29th and Gay (TLA Releasing, Here TV) and Ready? OK! (Wolfe Video, LOGO), have played national and international film festivals, with Ready? OK! winning Best Feature Film awards in Seattle, North Carolina, and San Diego. Their latest feature film, That's What She Said, starring Anne Heche, made its world premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Mr. Vásquez is a graduate of The Juilliard School.
Film: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Nine, Memoirs of a Geisha, Chicago, The Terminal. TV: "Tony Bennett: An American Classic," "The 75th Annual Academy Awards," "The Kennedy Center Honors." Broadway/NY theatre: Minnelli on Minnelli, Broadway Sings Elton John, Deborah Voight on Broadway, Sweet Adeline (City Center Encores!), Two Gentlemen of Verona (The Public). National tour: The Boy Friend, Chita & All That Jazz, Music of the Night, Brigadoon. American Stage Company: Oedipus Private Eye, Lucky Guy, The Gig. American Musical Theatre Award, Choreography Media Honors, American Choreography Award, two Emmy Awards. Currently producing the film version of Into the Woods, in theatres this December.
has provided choreography for Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at The Old Globe, on Broadway and on tour. Currently his work can be seen in the 50th Anniversary National Tour of Hello, Dolly! starring Sally Struthers. He is also the choreographer of season 3 of "LazyTown" for Turner Network Television, "The Tonight Show," "The Today Show" and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. He has served as the resident choreographer for the past 15 years at Sacramento Music Circus, staging over 35 productions. This fall Mr. Richard will be returning to The 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle to stage Oliver! following his wildly acclaimed production of The Music Man. His other notable theatre credits of late include Pioneer Theatre Company, North Shore Music Theatre, Theatre Under The Stars and Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. Mr. Richard's work has received a Bay Area Critics Circle Award, with the American Musical Theatre of San Jose, and an Ivey and Houston Area Theatre Award for Choreography for his tour of Cabaret. He spent part of this past summer as a guest master instructor with the one and only Chet Walker at the prestigious Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. Dancing, teaching master classes worldwide and choreographing for 30 years in show business, Mr. Richard and his wife became Founding Artistic Directors of The American Musical Theatre Dance Company. Love to Robert Henry, their meaning of life and where Whoville lives in the eyes and hearts of children always!
Charlie Reuter (Musical Director) served as music director for The Old Globe's 2011 Shakespeare Festival and most recently served as associate conductor for Dreamgirls starring Jennifer Holliday (The Muny). His credits as music director include Sam Bendrix at the Bon Soir (La Jolla Playhouse), Miss Saigon (Moonlight Stage Productions), The Light in the Piazza (Lamb's Players Theatre) and Sweeney Todd (Cygnet Theatre Company), for which he won a San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Musical Direction. For The Walt Disney Company, he has performed in the theme parks and on the Disney Cruise Line and has helped develop the Broadway show Peter and the Starcatcher with Disney Theatrical Group. In New York, he served as a pianist for New York University and music director for the Lee Strasberg Institute, and he studied orchestral conducting at The Juilliard School. He holds an M.F.A. in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University.
has designed the Globe productions of Cornelia, Dancing in the Dark, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, and Redwood Curtain. His Broadway credits include The Nance, After Midnight, Good People, Venus in Fur, Other Desert Cities, Times Stands Still, A View From the Bridge, The Royal Family, The Color Purple, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Rabbit Hole, Doubt, Chicago, Dinner at Eight, Morning's at Seven, Proof, Footloose, The Little Foxes, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, A Delicate Balance, The Heiress, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Anna Christie, Redwood Curtain, The Sisters Rosensweig, The Most Happy Fella, Penn and Teller (twice), Burn This, Ain't Misbehavin' (twice), Talley's Folly, Fifth of July, and Crimes of the Heart. His Off Broadway credits include The Whipping Man, Sylvia, The Substance of Fire, Lips Together, Teeth Apart, The Road to Mecca, Song of Singapore, A Life in the Theatre, The Miss Firecracker Contest, 38 seasons at Manhattan Theatre Club and Circle Repertory Company, and 21 seasons at City Center Encores! He has also designed at major regional theatres and in film, opera, television, and the circus. Mr. Beatty is the recipient of the Tony, Obie, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards and is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame. He is a graduate of Brown University and the Yale School of Drama.
has designed the Broadway productions of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, The Full Monty, Imaginary Friends, I'm Not Rappaport, and Sherlock's Last Case. His Off Broadway credits include Pride's Crossing and Saturn Returns (Lincoln Center Theater) and The Loves of Anatol (Circle in the Square Theatre). His television credits include American Playhouse, The Skin of Our Teeth, and A Christmas Carol. He has designed internationally for the West End and Maria Theresa's Schönbrunn Palace Theater in Vienna. His regional credits include The Old Globe (Associate Artist), Ahmanson Theatre, American Conservatory Theater, American Players Theatre, The Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Guthrie Theater, Huntington Theatre Company, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, McCarter Theatre Center, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Portland Center Stage, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Studio Arena Theater, and Williamstown Theatre Festival. He has received two Drama Desk Award nominations and 12 Drama-Logue Awards, and he has exhibited at Prague Quadrennial. He is the former Director of Boston University's Theatre Arts Division, School for the Arts.
has designed the Globe productions of Twelfth Night, Cymbeline, and Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Her Broadway credits include Orphans, Good People, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Doubt (Tony Award nomination), Sight Unseen, Proof, A Moon for the Misbegotten, A Delicate Balance, The Sisters Rosensweig, Conversations with My Father, The Heidi Chronicles, I'm Not Rappaport (Tony Award), Execution of Justice (Drama Desk Award), the original and 1988 revival of Ain't Misbehavin', Once Upon a Mattress, An American Daughter, and many more. Her Lincoln Center Theater credits include Third, Ten Unknowns, Death and the King's Horseman, The Threepenny Opera (Tony nomination), The Floating Lightbulb, and Measure for Measure. Her Off Broadway credits include The Foreigner, Doubt, Burn This, Quartermaine's Terms, How I Got That Story, and A Life in the Theatre. Ms. Collins has designed lighting at theatres throughout the country, including the Mark Taper Forum, McCarter Theatre Center, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Hartford Stage, Alley Theatre, Center Stage, Long Wharf Theatre, Guthrie Theater, Goodman Theatre, American Repertory Theater, and Actor's Theatre of Louisville. She has also designed for Wagner's Ring Cycle at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and over 100 productions for opera companies throughout the world.
has designed over 100 productions at The Old Globe, including Other Desert Cities, The Brothers Size, God of Carnage, Nobody Loves You, Odyssey, Engaging Shaw, Life of Riley, Plaid Tidings – A Special Holiday Edition of Forever Plaid, Welcome to Arroyo's, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Broadway Bound, The Last Romance, Lost in Yonkers, I Do! I Do!, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Kingdom, Six Degrees of Separation, The Women, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Bell, Book and Candle, Two Trains Running, Hold Please, Restoration Comedy, Pig Farm, Moonlight and Magnolias, Vincent in Brixton, Lucky Duck, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow, Blue/Orange, Time Flies, Pentecost, Compleat Female Stage Beauty, The Boswell Sisters, Crumbs from the Table of Joy, and many more. His regional credits include designs for Milwaukee Repertory Theater, San Jose Repertory Theatre, Center Stage, La Jolla Playhouse, Sledgehammer Theatre (Associate Artist), Mo'olelo Performing Arts Company, San Diego Repertory Theatre, North Coast Repertory Theatre, Diversionary Theatre, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, Malashock Dance, University of San Diego, San Diego State University, and UCLA. Mr. Peterson received his B.F.A. in Drama with an emphasis in Technical Design from San Diego State University.
is an orchestrator, arranger, and musical director active in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. She has prepared over 150 musicals in the last 30 years. She was the musical director of the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres from 1968 to 1988. Since then she has been a freelance music director and orchestrator at Guthrie Theater, Children's Theatre Company, Bloomington Civic Theatre, and Theatre Mu, among others. She has been the arranger/music director for three Shakespeare productions at the Guthrie as well as music directing their production of A Christmas Carol for the last seven years. In 2004 she orchestrated two operas composed by Mel Marvin—one presented in Holland and the other at Bard College.
has conducted 13 Broadway and Off Broadway shows, specializing in flying vehicles (Miss Saigon, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!). He is the composer/lyricist of the Off Broadway smash hit revue Bush is Bad, as well as the musicals Fermat's Last Tango, Einstein's Dreams, and Garbo and Me. As a pianist, he has appeared with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall, the Encores! series at New York City Center, and in solo recitals at Symphony Space. He is a faculty member at the Yale University Department of Music and a contributing writer for Opera News. Mr. Rosenblum is the founder and music director of the Pit Stop Players and the recent recipient of a grant from Signature Theatre in Washington, DC as part of the American Musical Voices Project: The Next Generation.
created the dance music and additional score for the Oscar-winning Chicago and the film of Nine, and the musical score adaptation for the new Disney film Into the Woods starring Meryl Streep; produced and arranged Michelle Williams's vocals for My Week with Marilyn; and composed Aspire with Stephen Cole, the first American musical produced in the Middle East. Their musical comedy about that incredible experience, The Road to Qatar!, was produced in Dallas, New York City, and the Edinburgh Festival. The show is licensed by josef-weinberger.com, and the CD, produced by jayrecords.com, is available on iTunes. His arrangements currently on Broadway include Cabaret and the upcoming production of On the Twentieth Century. davidkrane.com.
has previously worked on the Globe productions of Othello, Cornelia, The American Plan, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Ace, The Violet Hour, Himself and Nora, Take Me Out, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (2004-2014), the 2004 Summer Shakespeare Festival, Resurrection Blues, Bus Stop, Much Ado About Nothing, Dirty Blonde, and Thinking Shakespeare Live! Her Broadway credits include Dirty Blonde, Amour, and One Mo' Time. Her regional credits include production supervisor of Dirty Blonde (national tour and West Yorkshire Playhouse); shows at Lincoln Center Theater, Manhattan Theatre Club, Roundabout
Theatre Company, Second Stage Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, SITI Company, Playwrights Horizons, Huntington Theatre Company; and 11 seasons with Williamstown Theatre Festival. She received her education at Northwestern University.
served as stage manager for The Old Globe's Arms and the Man, The Royale, Quartet, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Few, Pygmalion, God of Carnage, Anna Christie, Groundswell, and the 2010 production of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Her other Globe credits include A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (2011-2014), Boeing-Boeing, The First Wives Club, Opus, Dancing in the Dark, Hay Fever, and the Summer Shakespeare Festivals 2008 and 2010-2013.
most recently worked on All's Well That Ends Well, The Old Globe's inaugural Globe for All tour. Her other Globe credits include The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, The Last Goodbye, Shakespeare Festival (2011-2013), Anna Christie, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Somewhere, Welcome to Arroyo's, Lost in Yonkers, I Do! I Do!, and The Price. In addition, she stage managed for the Summer Shakespeare Intensive through the Globe's education department, working with high school students on Love's Labour's Lost, As You Like It, and Pericles, Prince of Tyre. Her other San Diego credits include The Foreigner, miXtape, See How They Run, The Music Man, and The Rivalry (Lamb's Players Theatre), The Gondoliers, The Pirates of Penzance, Candide, Trial by Jury, and Rumpelstiltskin (Lyric Opera San Diego), and SummerFest (La Jolla Music Society). Ms. Salmons holds a B.A. in Theatre from UC San Diego.
Music Director/Conductor
Charlie Reuter
Associate Conductor/Keyboard
Steven Withers
Andrea Altona
Karina Bezkrovnaia
Erica Erenyi
Deborah Avery
Clarinet/Tenor Sax
Cory Homnick
Acoustic Bass
Joe McNalley
Tim McMahon
Alternate Keyboard
Steven Gray
Lorin Getline
Rehearsal Piano
Steven Withers
Synthesizer Design and Programming
Mark Hartshorn
All musicians are represented by the American Federation
of Musicians of the United States and Canada.
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by James Hebert, U-T San Diego
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The Coast News
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by Steve Blanchard, star of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
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Vanessa Hudgens (1998-1999) began her career in the world of musical theatre at the tender age of eight. "I can't believe it's already been 15 years since our opening of The Grinch. I remember it so vividly, as if it were yesterday. The smells of Christmas, the spirit, singing the songs, working with Jack O'Brien (and not to forget Punky, his little doggie that followed his every footstep) and the thrill of performing at The Old Globe. It was magical, and I will never forget it." Immediately realizing the incredible future that lay before her, she has tirelessly pursued her dream with much success. These early roles in such productions as Evita, Carousel, The Wizard of Oz, The King & I, The Music Man, Cinderella and Damn Yankees gave Vanessa the opportunity to showcase her impressive singing and acting skills. The recognition Vanessa received quickly brought her to the screen. She made her feature film debut in Catherine Hardwicke's Thirteen starring Holly Hunter and Evan Rachel Wood. Soon thereafter, she co-starred in the action-adventure film Thunderbirds and was a recurring guest star on Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zach & Cody. It was, however, Vanessa's role in Disney Channel's breakaway sensation High School Musical that has garnered her much praise and attention. With critics and fans clamoring for more, Vanessa was also seen in the film's highly successful follow ups High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 3: Senior Year. Vanessa followed up her High School Musical hits by starring in Bandslam. She can be seen in the recently released Journey 2: The Mysterious Island for Warner Brothers. She recently wrapped filming The Frozen Ground directed by Ron Krauss. Spring Breakers, which was directed by Harmony Korine, premiered at The Venice International Film Festival as well as the Toronto International Film Festival and is due out in North America in spring of 2013; Vanessa appears alongside Selena Gomez, Ashley Benson, and James Franco. Although acting has consumed much of her time, Vanessa still has been able to devote herself to singing and performing. She released her debut solo album V—a captivating variety of rock, electronic and R&B styles—and toured with the Cheetah Girls. She followed up with her second album for Hollywood Records called Identified.
Mary Frances McClay (Cindy-Lou Who 1999 - 2002, Betty-Lou Who 2003) I was the lucky little girl who played Cindy-Lou Who from 1999 through the 2002 season of The Grinch, plus a season in 2003 as Betty-Lou. Those were absolutely magical years for me that I think of often. As an eight-year old who had never stepped onstage before, the experience was life-changing. No longer just a third-grader, I was now a working actress! All of a sudden, time management, focus, discipline and team work as part of a professional acting ensemble were lessons I had to learn in a hurry. I loved the ritual of preparing for each show – putting on my costume and Cindy-Lou curl and visiting each of my fellow cast members in their dressing rooms. After all these years I am still in touch with many people from the Grinch family, some of whom are very close friends to this day. The Grinch brought me to my voice teacher, Danielle Forsgren, a member of the adult ensemble in those years. I still look forward to voice lessons with Danielle during breaks from college. I am currently a senior at the College of the Holy Cross, just outside of Boston. While singing is still very much a passion of mine, I chose to pursue my undergraduate degree in biology. This past January I left for a semester abroad in South Africa to study African ecology and wildlife conservation with Duke University's Organization for Tropical Studies. My career goal is to work with big cats in captivity as well as study their behavior in the wild. I am a dedicated volunteer for Labrador Rescuers and intern at Wild Wonders, an exotic animal education center. Following graduation this upcoming May, I'll be evaluating my options to pursue either a PhD in exotic animal behavior or my life-long dream of becoming an exotic animal veterinarian. And I might just try to fit in some auditions for local musical theatre productions when I'm back in San Diego! My experience as Cindy-Lou Who will stay with me forever. Those years were some of the best of my life, and I am proud to have been a part of the Old Globe's annual holiday tradition. Congratulations to the Globe and this year's cast of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on 15 wonderful seasons. Break a leg!
Arianna Afsar (2001) is an Ethnomusicology student at UCLA emphasizing in Jazz Vocal with a Conservational Biology minor. She grew up doing musical theater around San Diego where her favorite show was The Grinch at the Globe when she was 10 years old. Since then, her major accomplishments include being a top 36 American Idol Contestant in Season eight as one of the youngest contestants. As a result, she was able to sing her heart out multiple times on FOX. She went on to become Miss California 2010 and placed in the top ten at Miss America 2011 where she was able to once again showcase her talent on national television; this time on ABC. She also was a backup singer to Taylor Swift at the 2010 ACMA's nationally televised on CBS. She is also a member of Scattertones, an international award winning collegiate A Capella group. As a soloist, you can find Arianna all around Los Angeles playing shows at the Whisky A Go Go, The Roxy, On the Rox and many more. She consistently writes with reputable songwriters creating music for herself and for others. She is also a professional demo singer, demoing songs for Kelly Clarkson, Pink, and Disney Stars. You will soon be able to hear her voice on the new Disney Campaign "Make your Mark on the World" as the lead female vocalist for the campaign's theme song.
Hey, all! I'm Shawn Moriah Sullivan (2003-2004), and I currently attend Valley Center High School as a 15-year-old sophomore. I was cast as Cindy-Lou Who at The Globe when I had just turned 6 years old and happily returned the next year. I would have gladly reappeared as Cindy-Lou in 2005, if it hadn't been for my obligation to tour with Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby for a year. When I returned, I dedicated myself to my gymnastics competition team. During the next six years, I filled my (somewhat) free time with a variety of stage and film work. I have a great agent, but for my remaining time in middle school, up until now, I have been happy just to be a teenager! I am a member of my school's varsity cheer squad, FCA, CSF, and a part of St. Stephen's Youth Group Core Team. I love being involved in school activities, because school is my number one priority and I plan to graduate a year early and hope to go to Princeton. Being a part of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! greatly impacted who I have become today. I still love to entertain, and because I was introduced to the industry at such a young age, I've always been able to communicate well with adults—almost better than with people my own age—and I am very confident. It fueled my passion for acting, but I found that beginning as a stage actress at the Globe spoiled me. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! was so much fun and fast paced and silly that I found other forms of acting to be a little slow and boring. Besides that, at The Globe I was surrounded by wonderful actors, directors, and crew who always made me feel special. I look back on those years with fondness. Happy 15th Birthday to Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Hi, I'm Keilani Joy Spahn (2004), a 15 year old sophomore at Helix Charter High School. I am academically successful but enjoy rounding out my high school curriculum with choir and theatre classes. This is the second year I am representing my school as a member of the cheer team. I have also had the opportunity to travel extensively, visiting many sites and making friends globally. During the 2004 season of The Grinch, I was fortunate to be cast in the role of Cindy-Lou Who. As an eight year old, it was an amazing experience to be part of the Globe family, surrounded by such a fun, loving group of professionals. Every day I eagerly anticipated being on stage, and in the spotlight. That year I had the opportunity to develop my public speaking skills, as I helped promote the show on television and radio interviews. As I continued to work with the show for 2 more years as part of the ensemble cast I realized how important every role is in producing an outstanding production such as The Grinch. The adult actors encouraged me to understand that any part I played was important and to always give it my best effort. This past June, I was invited to be featured as a "success story" in a film celebrating the 10 year anniversary of the Joan Kroc/Salvation Army Center. I began my acting career at the opening production of Oliver with the KROC Kids Theater. Over the years I've been involved in at least 12 productions there. Several years ago I was invited to participate in a movie, Ready? Okay! directed by a member of The Grinch cast. In this film I was cast as a cheerleader. As Cindy-Lou Who, I was sort of a cheerleader for The Grinch… I feel there is a theme being played out in my life. Perhaps my role has become the real me? When I look into the future I see the influence of musical theatre always being there. It's not just a comfort to me, it's a lifestyle that I have chosen to follow because I love it so much. I see life as a performance and earth is the stage, it is up to us to create the script. Hopefully my script will have a happy ending. At this point in my life I am not quite sure what I want to do, so until I have to decide, I'll keep on doing what I love, which is theatre with all its drama!
Timyra-Joi (2005) has been up to a lot since The Grinch. She was the youngest to be nominated for and win a VH-1 songwriters award at the age of nine. Her voice can be heard in the movie Curious George as the character of the Lil' Pigtail Girl. Timyra-Joi also starred in a few national commercials since The Grinch and can be seen in an Exxon National commercial that is currently running. Timyra also won a National Youth Theatre award for her role as Rosie in ACT San Diego's Bye Bye Birdie! Timyra has sung the National anthem at quite a few Major League baseball games with the Padres being one of them. She is now a homeschooled high school freshman living in Los Angeles, recording music, training to pursue her dreams and meeting very influential people while actively auditioning and training.
After performing at Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! at The Old Globe, Issadora Tulalian (2008) reprised the role of Cindy-Lou Who in the Hollywood premiere of the play at the Pantages Theatre. Thereafter she has appeared in several television sitcoms including Fox's "'Til Death," commercials including Kraft Lunchables and modeling campaigns and runway shows including Intel, Samsung and The American Girl Doll Project. She's also currently the voice of the jingle for Nickelodeon's Playdate. She composes her own songs, plays guitar and piano, and continues dance training in Tap and Ballet. Outside of performing and projects, she has found her passion in sports and has earned several medals in swimming competitions for her team. Issadora is now 12 and continues to reach for the stars, especially in school, maintaining her status as an honor student. Dr. Suess' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! at The Old Globe made Issadora realize her passion for performing and Cindy-Lou Who will remain one of her favorite roles. "My experience in Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! as Cindy-Lou Who at The Old Globe was one of the best experiences I've had in my life," she says. "When I got the part, I couldn't be happier and more grateful. The first time I went to rehearsal, the whole cast already felt like family. Playing Cindy-Lou Who has made me realize my love for performing and singing. My experience with The Grinch made me want to be on Broadway someday."
Anna Bahen (2009). For me being in The Grinch was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I will never forget! Working with such a great group of people at The Old Globe was like becoming one big family celebrating Dr. Seuss' work and the real meaning of Christmas every day. No matter how hard we worked, we were always having a great time together. I learned so much from the experience, and from all the talented people I got to work with in Whoville. A very special day for me was when my school took a field trip to see the show. It meant so much to me, and it is a day I will always remember. A very special night for me was the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. It was truly magical, when we all sang carols while snow began to fall from the sky! I realize how lucky I am to be a part of such a special San Diego tradition, especially when people still recognize me as Cindy-Lou Who. I am now in the 6th grade and play alto sax in band, take pre-algebra, practice karate and really enjoy making miniatures. I continue to perform in community theatre, and I sing and dance whenever I can. This winter I will be in an independent film, and I hope to perform at The Old Globe again someday!
Skylar Starrs Siben (2006-2008) has grown up in San Diego theatre and is so thankful for the wonderful people she's met and the unique experiences she's had the privilege to enjoy. Now 13, Skye is a dedicated writer and dancer. She also enjoys camping and spending time at the beach with her family. Skylar continues to pursue her first passion, musical theatre, performing this summer in Fiddler on the Roof and Sweeney Todd at Moonlight Stage Productions. For Skylar, The Grinch wasn't just a show, but a tradition: "The most memorable part of The Grinch was definitely 'Santa for a Day.' It felt like every year coming back for The Grinch, I had changed a little...but that song was always there for me, staying innocent and true."
Shea Starrs Siben (2009-2010) first experienced The Grinch from behind the scenes, watching her older sister Skylar, and then, quite literally, stepping into her shoes as Cindy-Lou Who. While Shea cannot recall a time before The Grinch, she knows her life wouldn't have been quite the same without it. Now eight, Shea is super active: swimming, running, camping, dancing and, of course, acting. Shea's most happy memories of The Grinch include the great cast and crew who bring the show to life and who supported her when she took the stage: "I loved putting on that beautiful costume, it made me feel different, excited and sort of magical!"
Caitlin McAuliffe (2011-2012). I couldn't wait to come back and see my Whoville friends this season! I spent the year following some of my Grinch friends around town as they performed in various shows all around San Diego. What a treat it was knowing cast members from several different shows! I learned so much by watching them perform in different roles and venues. But mostly this past year has been full of nine-year-old things: schoolwork, having fun with my family (and dogs), playing with friends and keeping up with my social life…with a little singing and acting squeezed in! I performed in Shakespeare Festivals at San Diego State University and at our own "Grinch Home Stage," the Old Globe Theatre. I even participated in a radio spot for PBS to teach people about William Shakespeare. I love being back this season and feel truly blessed to be part of this production!
© Copyright 2015 The Old Globe. All rights reserved.


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There are few players of Fire past that hold as an emotional connection to Chicago as former winger DaMarcus Beasley.
Scott Strazzante/Tribune
Having began his career with the Men in Red in 2000, Beasley made 134 competitive appearances, tallying 18 goals and 28 assists in four and a half seasons before signing with Dutch Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven in 2004.
He also helped the club to three domestic titles in his time and along with Josh Wolff was the Fire's first representative on a U.S. World Cup team in 2002.
PERUSE: TrueCar Chicago Fire Player Registry
Beasley has had ups and downs in his career, falling out of the national team picture twice only to earn his way back. His current international renaissance was made more special by his captaining of the side to Sunday's Gold Cup title where it all began for him with the Fire at Soldier Field.
Chicago Redeye asked the veteran winger (and now converted left back) what it meant to raise the trophy in Chicago, with Beasley saying, "I still have so much love for the fans of the Chicago Fire. This was my first real club."
With a pretty strong love for the club and city, could a Fire return happen for Beasley before his career ends?
Last September, the Fire alum retured to the Windy City to take in a game at Toyota Park and told Chicago-Fire.com this:
Maicon Santos' two-goal substitute performance had me thinking this week, how often have Fire players come off the bench to tally a brace?
The Answer: It's a very rare thing… Santos' effort on Sunday was just the fifth time (or .008%) in the club's 573 all-time competitive matches that a player has scored two goals off the bench. It was just the third time in MLS league play and first since 2006.
The others...
Orr Barouch - Chicago Fire 4, New York Red Bulls 0 - U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal (7/12/2011)
In a memorable match that was moved up to 5pm because of a massive power outage at Toyota Park, Barouch came on at halftime for Cristian Nazarit with the Fire already leading 2-0. It took the Israeli youth international just five minutes to make it 3-0 before closing the scoring off a feed from Diego Chaves in the 69th minute (WATCH).
PERUSE: TrueCar Player Registry
Barouch led the side with three goals in Open Cup play on the way to the tournament final that year.
Chad Barrett – Chicago Fire 2, Real Salt Lake 1 – MLS Regular Season (6/28/2006)
Throughout much of his first two seasons with the Men in Red, Chad Barrett was an oft-used second half attacking sub. In this match, he repaid Dave Sarachan's faith in him, entering for captain Chris Armas in the 68th minute before heading home the equalizer off a cross from Justin Mapp in the 80th minute (WATCH).
Five minutes later, Mapp would slot Barrett through the RSL backline before the second-year striker put slid his effort past Scott Garlick and in off the post for the winner (WATCH).
The effort was the first of two braces for Barrett during his time with the Men in Red, the other coming in a 5-1 victory at Red Bull on May 25, 2008.
Dipsy Selolwane – Chicago Fire 4, San Juan Jabloteh 0 – CONCACAF Champions Cup (3/17/2004)
With the team coming off a somewhat shocking 5-2 first leg defeat away to the Trinidadian side, the Men in Red returned to Soldier Field needing four goals in the second leg in order to advance.
Though Damani Ralph took the aggregate score to 5-3 just before halftime, Selolwane entered for current Fire captain Logan Pause to provide more offense after the break. The Botswanan international's long-range effort in the 51st minute brought the Fire to within a goal before his empty net finish 11 minutes later brought the score level.
Selolwane proved to be Man of the Match when he set up Chris Armas' 90th minute series winner to push the Fire past Jabloteh 6-5 on aggregate and into the Champions Cup semifinals.
Interestingly, that performance was the only brace of Selolwane's Fire career, though he did come up with back-to-back game-winners in the team's run to the U.S. Open Cup final that season.
Hristo Stoitchkov – Chicago Fire 7, Kansas City Wizards 0 – MLS Regular Season (7/4/2001)
Of course the Mad Bulgarian was the first to do this with the Fire and of course it came in the Fourth of July Massacre.
With the team already leading 4-0, there was little need for Stoitchkov to come on in the 78th. One minute after entering the match, Piotr Nowak scored his second to take the game to 5-0 and then Stoitchkov proceeded to drive the dagger in tallying in the 83rd and 88th minutes to exact revenge for the Fire's MLS Cup loss to Kansas City the year before (WATCH).
Like Barrett, Stoitchkov tallied two braces while with the Men in Red. The first came in his debut appearance, a 4-2 Opening Day loss to the Dallas Burn on March 18, 2000.
SELECT SHOTS: From today's CONCACAF Gold Cup press conference at Solider Field
CONCACAF is hosting a press conference today at Soldier Field to announce a huge soccer event happening in Chicago this summer. The Press Conference is slated to start at 10:30am CT.
Click Here to watch the big news unfold.
Chicago Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson is in Honduras for this afternoon's opening Final Round CONCACAF qualifying match vs. los Catrachos (LIVE pre-game beginning at 2pm CT on beIN Sport).
It's unlikely Sean will see time in the match, much less even dress but the honor of being chosen is still great.
Check out video excerpts from Tuesday's pre-game press conference with head coach Jurgen Klinsmann and midfielder Michael Bradley here.
Also re-live the team's last visit to San Pedro Sula, a dramatic match in which the U.S. qualified for its sixth straight FIFA World Cup appearance, below:
Though he didn't have all that much to do in the U.S. Men's National Team's 0-0 friendly draw vs. Canada last week, it seems clear the Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson remains in Jurgen Klinsmann's plans after being one of three goalkeepers called in for Wednesday's CONCACAF Final Round World Cup qualifier at Honduras (LIVE 3pm CT on beIN Sport).
The summons means Johnson will miss most of the team's second phase of preseason camp in Ventura, Calif. but nearly a month of training with the national team won't leave him out of shape.
Consistently called up since last August's 1-0 friendly win at Mexico, the 90 minutes the fourth-year Fire 'keeper earned in Wednesday's draw seems to indicate Johnson is stating a strong case for the U.S. Men's third goalkeeper shirt behind English Premier League veterans Tim Howard and backup Brad Guzan.
Should his form hold up and the U.S. Men navigate another difficult CONCACAF qualifying test, Johnson could find his way to Brazil next year.
There are still too many variables to allow anyone to get that far ahead and strong competition will remain from the likes of veteran Nick Rimando (injured for January camp), as well as Johnson's friendly rival Bill Hamid.
While the trio wouldn't be expected to appear in this year's qualifying matches, with the U.S. expected to send a B-team to the this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup, the tournament will likely serve as the next indication as to who Klinsmann favors for the presumable third spot.
Even if he's not always playing in matches, the 23-year-old's continued inclusion in camps, working with the best 'keepers American soccer has offer, can only help with his chances and his form for the Fire.
It should be an interesting year for Sean and the U.S...
Remember the last time the U.S. went to Honduras?
Trailing 1-0 just after the break, the U.S. used a brace from Conor Casey and a Landon Donovan free kick to eventually win the match 3-2 and qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Check out highlights below:
...defender Carlos Bocanegra brings to end his four-year stay with the Chicago Fire by signing with English Premier club Fulham FC on this day in 2004.
Arguably the best defender in Chicago Fire history, Bocanegra was a two-time MLS Defender of the Year and League Best XI selection (2002, 2003) as well as being the first Fire player to claim MLS Rookie of the year in 2000 and helped the club to three domestic titles (2000, 2003 U.S. Open Cup, 2003 Supporters Shield) as well as an additional two finals appearances (2000, 2003 MLS Cup).
Bocanegra was one of just three defenders named to last year's #Fire15 player's list along with former teammats C.J. Brown and Lubos Kubik.
At the time of his Fire departure, Bocanegra had only just begun to break into Bruce Arena's U.S. Men's National Team squad, with the future captain scoring four goals in his first full campaign for the Stars and Stripes in 2003.
With the UCLA product proving his worth for both club and country, Fulham signed Bocanegra on a free transfer (in the same window that future Fire forward Brian McBride arrived at Craven Cottage) and the two formed the basis for a long-term American occupancy of the West London club.
He would parlay his form at Fulham into making the 2006 U.S. World Cup team and while his time there would come to an end, Bocanegra was eventually named as new U.S. captain when former Fire coach Bob Bradley took the national team reins in 2007.
Moving to a less traditional American soccer destination with French clubs Stade Rennes (2008-10), Bocanegra led the U.S. to the Round of 16 at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa before moving to St. Etienne following the tournament.
A move to Scottish giants Glasgow Rangers would follow but after the side went into administration this past summer, whispers of the former Fire defender's MLS return could be heard league-wide before he eventually went on loan to Spanish Segunda side Racing Santander.
Having now a decade of national team experience under his belt, the 33-year-old center back sits tied with Paul Caligiuri for sixth all-time on the national appeance list at 110 and is has scored more international goals (14) than any defender in U.S. history.
With his time for the national team and career winding down, a return to MLS could still be in his future. Remember, returning to Chicago for a U.S. friendly vs. Poland in October 2010, Bocanegra was quoted as saying this…
"This is my first choice. You never know how it works with (Major League Soccer) and allocations, but I love this city. For me, it would be cool to play for one team my whole career in MLS. I would like to come back to Chicago."
WATCH: Bocanegra Named to #Fire15
Yesterday, I began the ambitious 11-part Playoff History series with a bang, taking a look back on the club's magical run to the 1998 MLS Cup championship. Today, we step a year ahead to the bitter disappointment of an early exit from the 1999 MLS Cup playoffs.
It's important to preface the club's playoff experience in 1999 with a bit of context. After winning the 1998 MLS and U.S. Open Cup double, the Fire began a season of disappointments the following year with an early exit at the eventual U.S. Open Cup champions Rochester Rhinos on July 14.
Out of domestic cup competition, the team continued to focus on regular season play for the next two months before taking part in the CONCACAF Champions Cup in Las Vegas that fall. Playing on the rock-hard pitch at Sam Boyd Stadium, the Fire dispatched Trinidadian side Joe Public 2-0 in the first round before going to penalties with Costa Rican power Alajuelense after a 1-1 draw in the semifinal.
In the shootout, Lubos Kubik, who the year before had tallied six of six penalties taken during the regular season and playoffs, shot second and skied his effort high over the bar. His miss was the only one on the night as the Fire fell 5-4 to Alajuelense and leaving the Fire to miss out on the CONCACAF final played two days later.
"In 1998 we seemed like a team of destiny that was just preordained to win. A year later, it seemed the fates were evening out and there was nothing we could do to prevent the inevitable failure." – Former Chicago Fire President Peter Wilt
#2 Dallas Burn vs. #3 Chicago Fire – Western Conference Semifinals (best of three)
With the teams splitting their four matchups during the regular season, three of which went to the old MLS shootout to be decided, this playoff encounter promised to be a tight one.
GAME 1 played 10/16/1999 at The Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas
WATCH: '99 Western Conference Semifinals vs. Dallas
Despite their previously more exciting matche, the first half of Game One could have seemed more like a heavyweight bout where no one wanted to land the first punch as neither team registered a shot on goal.
The home side did have a bit more of the play though and took the lead in the 52nd minute through Ariel Graziani when the Ecuadorian striker chipped Oscar Pareja towards the end line before the current Colorado Rapids coach centered across the box for an easy finish.
The goal also marked the first time the Fire had ever trailed in a postseason match.
Dallas would take their lead to 2-0 in the 75th minute when Graziani pounced on a loose ball at midfield. He'd stroll alone into the box, forcing Fire 'keeper Zach Thornton to the floor before sliding the ball to the charging Mark Santel on the right, leaving the former U.S. international an easy finish past the desperate slide of Fire defender Tom Soehn.
The 2-0 score line seemed to wake the Fire up, pulling one back just four minutes later. Peter Nowak found the ball at the top of the penalty area and played it into the path of substitute midfielder John Ball on the right who slid a low effort past Dallas 'keeper Matt Jordan.
With the goal, the Fire were charged for an equalizer but saw late efforts from Paul Dougherty, Diego Gutierrez and Ball all go begging, eventually falling 2-1.
GAME 2 played 10/23/1999 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Ill.
Staring elimination in the face, the Fire picked up on the momentum from the end of the first game and took the lead 18 minutes in.
Diego Gutierrez had a misplaced clearance fall for him and took a low blast from distance. The ball ended up running perfectly into the stride of Peter Nowak who took one touch into the box before finishing past Jordan.
The Fire would double their lead 18 minutes later when Roman Kosecki pounced on a bouncing ball in midfield and strolled towards goal before hitting a somewhat weak left-footed effort that eluded Jordan and tucked inside the left post.
Ante Razov (right) would take the score to 3-0 just before the break. Chasing down a long ball out of the back from Jesse Marsch, Razov bodied off the challenge of Richard Farrer before seeing Jordan far off his line. The second-year Fire striker turned with the ball and hit a 20-yard effort that left the Dallas 'keeper only with a front row seat to see it.
Jordan continued his shocking display just after the half. Nowak chipped a ball into the box from the left for Kosecki who could only get a partial touch to the ball, making it look as if the Dallas 'keeper would come off his line to claim it. Jordan was a step late in his approach, however and Dema Kovalenko ran on, took a touch and finished from close range to close out the 4-0 score line.
The Fire seemed to have resurrected the demons from Game 1 and after Jordan's horrific performance in the second game, left Dallas coach Dave Dir to make a switch to veteran Mark Dodd for Game 3.
GAME 3 played 10/27/1999 at The Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas
The Fire's momentum from Game 2 seemed to barely miss a beat in the decider with the Fire taking on three minutes to go up 1-0.
On the goal, Jerzy Podbrozny played a quick centering pass for Lubos Kubik who played Ante Razov through into the box. To get through the Dallas back line, Razov spun in stride without even touching the ball before placing his low effort past Dodd.
The series looked all but over two minutes later. Kubik lined up for a free kick 35 yards from goal and whipped a beautiful in-swinger between the penalty spot and the six-yard box where a sliding Jesse Marsch redirected the ball past Dodd and into the top right corner to go up 2-0.
Things weren't all roses for the Fire in the first half as Razov left the match in the 15th minute with a hamstring strain. Already without Josh Wolff who had suffered a torn ACL back in August, the team's attack lacked its two leading scorers for the remaining 75 minutes.
As a result, the Fire would start to fall apart after the break. In the 55th minute, future Fire defender Sergi Daniv sent a cross from the right that Zach Thornton could only get a hand to before Chad Deering cleaned up with a header at the back post in the 55th minute.
After the strike, the Fire would look to take back their two-goal lead but Dodd would stand tall turning away three efforts in two minutes from Peter Nowak (67th) Lubos Kubik (68th) and John Ball (69th).
Gaining in frustration, the team was awarded a number of yellow cards but maintained the 2-1 lead into the final 10 minutes.
Things would come undone though when defender C.J. Brown, who had done a great job in marking Dallas striker Jason Kreis throughout the series, was whistled for handling the ball in the box in the 83rd minute. On the ensuing penalty, Jorge Rodriguez sent Thornton the wrong way and brought the match level.
With Dallas holding all the momentum at home, they pushed forward for the game and series clincher in the 90th minute. John Jairo Trellez pushed up on the right and centered a ball that deflected off of Brown and saw Thornton make a swiping effort before falling straight to the feet of Graziani (right) who cruelly one-timed his effort off the underside of the cross bar to complete one of the most stunning comebacks in MLS Cup playoff history.
The final 10 minutes and whole of 1999 left former Fire President Peter Wilt to simply say, "The penalty against us that tied the game seemingly made the final outcome inevitable. Just as 1998 was destined to be our year, 1999 was destined not to be."
The Fire would be left to look for redemption in 2000 (coming Wednesday)...
With only one Chicago Fire player away on international duty, this could have been a very short international wrap.
Taking a different angle, my aim is to show the international nature of the current roster by recapping how all of the first team player's national sides did in World Cup qualification Friday night…
Uruguay – Called back to Uruguay for the first time in a while, midfielder Alvaro Fernandez was an unused sub, watching from the sidelines as a Lionel Messi brace led Argentina to a 3-0 win over La Celeste in Mendoza.
Flaco and Uruguay remain in fourth place in CONMEBOL qualification and will hope to rebound on Tuesday when they travel to La Paz for a match against second from bottom Bolivia.
USA – The Fire's American contingent might have been biting their finger nails much of Friday night as Juergen Klinsmann's side eeked out a late 2-1 victory at Antigua & Barbuda. Making his first national team appearance since 2010, forward Eddie Johnson nodded the U.S. ahead in the 20th minute before Antigua's Dexter Blackstock equalized five minutes later.
With the U.S. looking disjointed for much of the second half, Johnson would reward Klinsmann's confidence in him by heading home U.S. debutant Alan Gordon's 90th minute cross to give the American's a 2-1 win.
That victory combined with Guatemala's 2-1 win over Jamaica (in which former Fire midfielder Marco Pappa played 68 minutes) means the Americans and los Chapines sit tied on 10 points and need only a draw against each other on Tuesday for both teams to advance to next year's final round hexagonal.
Costa Rica – In the Group B rubber match, Fire defender Gonzalo Segares got an early birthday present as Jose Cubero's 31st minute goal stood to give Costa Rica a valuable 1-0 victory away to El Salvador.
With the win, los Ticos return to San Jose needing only to defeat a lowly Guyana side that has taken just one point from five matches in order to advance.\. Costa Rica defeated Guyana 4-0 during their earlier group game played in Georgetown.
Mexico – Already qualified for the final round, Pavel Pardo and Guillermo Franco might have looked on Friday night to see Javier Hernandez, Oribe Peralta, Andrew Guardado and Angel Reyna strike to help Mexico batter Guyana 5-0 in Houston.
They'll close out the semifinal round Tuesday night against El Salvador in Torreon.
The Netherlands – Former Dutch youth international Sherjill MacDonald may or may not have watched as Rafael Van der Vaart, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Reuben Schaken eased the Dutch to a 3-0 victory over Andorra in Rotterdam.
The victory keeps Holland with a perfect nine points through three matches in UEFA's Group D ahead of the team's visit to also perfect Romania Tuesday in Bucharest.
Germany – Arne Friedrich was probably grinning from ear to ear Friday afternoon as Die Mannschaft demolished the Republic of Ireland 6-1 in Dublin. Germany got braces from Marco Reus and Toni Kroos as well as single strikes from Miroslav Klose and Mesut Oezil in the win.
Sitting alone atop Group C with a perfect 9 points from three matches, the Germans return to face second-place Sweden in Berlin on Tuesday.
Italy – Paolo Tornaghi's Azzuri had a little trouble in the first half but eventually overpowered Armenia 3-1 in Yerevan. Andrea Pirlo put the Italians ahead with an 11th minute penalty before Henrigh Mkhitaryan equalized in the 28th, taking the teams into the break at 1-1.
Italy would respond with two goals in the second half through Daniele De Rossi (64') and Pablo Osvaldo (82') to earn the three road points.
The victory keeps the Italians on top of UEFA Group B with seven points ahead of Tuesday's clash with Denmark in Milan.
"Win at home, draw on the road.", "World Cup Qualifying can often be ugly and is rarely easy."
These are the old adages that U.S. Men's National Team fans hate hearing but time and again they remain true. While Tuesday night's 1-1 draw will leave a conflicted, sour taste in a Fire and USMNT fan's mouth, the sky isn't close to falling.
Newish fans of the U.S. will look at a nation like Guatemala and ask why the U.S. couldn't win there. It's a fair question, though understanding historical context is important -- the U.S.is now 1-0-4 all-time at Guatemala in World Cup Qualifying with the only victory coming with an ugly 1-0 win there in 2008.
In his first true, competitive test as U.S. Men's National Team coach, Jurgen Klinsmann had his side well prepared going in as the Guatemalans pushed the U.S. to a furious pace for much of the first half. The team moved the ball well and as we've seen in the past few matches, did well to create chances, though conversion still remains an issue.
Despite that, Clint Dempsey's goal five minutes from the half was a perfect blow to the home side who looked ready to go into the locker room. Though after the break, Marco Pappa's insertion into the game seemed to spark Guatemala and while the U.S. still created, los Chapines put Klinsmann's side under threat via counter attack throughout the second half.
And as you go back to the final 10 minutes of the match – seeing Fabian Johnson whistled for a foul about five yards outside the U.S. box – you were likely on the edge of your seat. As a Fire and U.S. fan, you might have cringed when you saw Pappa stand over the ball with Carlos Ruiz. As he struck it, you sort of knew it was going in – 1-1.
It's alright to feel conflicted this morning. Marco's goal came at a time when his country was facing having zero points from two matches. Like he has a few times this year, he struck late to help his team and he did it with the skill that all Fire fans know he has in him.
In the end, the U.S. scrambled to defend and earn the point and that's fine. It may not "progress" on paper but there is something to be said for the fact that the team is playing much more attractively than previous years.
Having admitted that, attractive soccer isn't always going to get results and those all that matter in World Cup Qualifying. Klinsmann still hasn't been on the job a year and has had some good ones. The team is still in a bit of transition and the biggest issue from the past three U.S. matches shows a team that can attack but hasn't yet figured out how to play a complete 90 minutes.
Looking at the big picture, that's sort of okay.
Earning a point in Guatemala is still nothing to shake a stick at, with most considering the match the most difficult of the six semifinal games.
By virtue of Jamaica and Antigua drawing 0-0 Tuesday, the U.S. sits alone atop the group and in the driver's seat heading into their September home and home series with the Reggae Boyz – one that could potentially see the U.S. into the next round inside four games. Even sticking with the win at home, draw on the road mantra, the U.S. would still have eight points and need just a win from their final two games to go through.
In the end, playing beautifully is great as long as you're getting the results. In CONCACAF, drawing on the road in a place like Guatemala City is a result…not what you want, not necessarily what could have happened but also not a disaster.

subset: commoncrawl


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text:
Xi Jinping Meets U.S. Secretary Of Treasury Jacob Lew
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Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks to U.S. Secretary of Treasury... Fotografía de noticiasChina,Diplomacia,EE.UU.,Foto de cabeza,Gobierno,Hablar,Horizontal,Pekín,Personas,Política,Reunión,Secretario estadounidense de Finanzas,Xi JinpingPhotographer Feng LiCollection: Getty Images News 2013 Getty ImagesBEIJING, CHINA - MARCH 19: Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks to U.S. Secretary of Treasury Jacob Lew (not pictured) during their meeting at the Great Hall of the People on March 19, 2013 in Beijing, China. Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke of wanting strong ties with the U.S. after holding talks with the US Treasury secretary Jacob Lew today in his first meeting with a foreign official since being appointed as president. (Photo by Feng Li - Pool/Getty Images)


text: The honor was conferred at the 3rd Annual Buffalo Excellence in Media Awards (BEMA's), which honors Western New York Broadcasters. The awards recognize the outstanding achievements of individuals and radio and television companies in the region. WBFO News reporter Ashley Hirtzel was also recognized as one of the finalists for the Rising Star Award. Read complete details on wbfo.org.