WASHINGTON — From Dr. Seuss to Boris Karloff to Jim Carrey, it’s become a holiday tradition to watch The Grinch ravage Whoville before seeing the light.
Now, the musical of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” hits National Theatre through Dec. 31.
“You should come see it because I’m in it,” The Grinch (Philip Bryan) told WTOP. “I’m very wonderful in it! Everybody says I’m wonderful in it. There’s a great point in the show when everybody gets to applaud me. It happens multiple times. They can’t contain themselves. I completely understand why.”
Based on the 1956 book by Dr. Seuss and influenced by the 1966 animated TV special by Chuck Jones, the musical debuted in Minneapolis in 1994 before hitting Broadway in 2006. It features a book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, score by Mel Marvin and choreography by John DeLuca.
“There’s lots of dancing. Not from me. I’m more struttin’,” The Grinch said. “There’s a lot of singing. I try not to, but it overtakes me because I just want to give. I’m a giver.”
But fair warning: if you come out to see the show, you might just lose your Christmas presents.
“They make it really easy!” The Grinch said. “They sit in the audience like, ‘When is The Grinch coming out?!?’ And I’m over there [stealing things]. The Christmas gifts are gone. They’re already gone people! You’ve been out of the house! I’m really just gloating on stage. They’re like, ‘I can’t wait! I’m gonna go back home and all the gifties are gonna be there!’ They’re not. Everything is gone.”
How did The Grinch come to dislike Christmas so much?
“It’s not that I dislike Christmas, I’m just a realist,” he said. “People need to understand that Christmas is loud, noisy and those little Whos down in Whoville are disgustingly happy. Get it together people!”
Does he actually like the taste of roast beast?
“Are you completely insane?” The Grinch said. “It is disgusting. Roast beast is possibly the most yucky thing I’ve ever seen. I haven’t had it, but I imagine if I had it, I wouldn’t enjoy it.”
Does he let his dog Max tag along on interviews?
“Max! Max! Oh, he’s usually somewhere. I have no idea where he is,” The Grinch said. “He’s usually just blubbering around the cave, always complaining, ‘I’m hungry! I have to go for a walk!’ Really, I try to stay out of his life and his personal loathing. It helps me to keep a positive outlook on life.”
His jaded responses live up to the song “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” which is featured in the stage musical and created by Dr. Seuss (lyrics), Albert Hague (music) and Thurl Ravenscroft (vocals).
“A lot of people think it’s negative; it’s really not,” The Grinch said. “He really enjoyed all those aspects of me. He said he wouldn’t want to touch me with a [39-and-a-half-foot pole], whatever the length! He was really trying to say I’m exuberant and that if he were to touch me he might faint with such joy.”
However, he has nothing but great things to say about his creator Dr. Seuss.
“He’s the man!” The Grinch said. “Technically, I inspired him. I’m a multi-level kind of person. They’re like, ‘He came up with you,’ and I’m like, ‘No, I entered his mind and he just put it down on paper.'”
Does the same go for other Dr. Seuss characters?
“I have nothing to do with ‘The Cat in the Hat,'” The Grinch said, also deflecting questions about Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham.” “Very clever! Very original! He’s pointing out green things! Wow!”
At this point, The Grinch fielded some Facebook Live comments from WTOP listeners, including Jackie Johnson, who wanted to remind folks that The Grinch’s heart grows three sizes at the end.
“You’re skipping ahead,” The Grinch said. “Jackie, pull it together. Stop ruining the story for people.”
Nancy Snowden Soble ended with some holiday cheer: “Merry Christmas, Mr. Grinch!”
His response?
“Gross.”
Listen to the full conversation and watch The Grinch invade the Glass Enclosed Nerve Center below:
