Press Release: The Grinch Cast Annoucement 2014

COMPLETE CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR
THE OLD GLOBE’S 17TH ANNUAL PRODUCTION OF
DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!

The Globe will present a Sensory-Friendly Performance
on Saturday, December 13 at 10:30 a.m.

The Old Globe’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
will take place on November 16 at 6:00 p.m.

“Santa for a Day” contest will once again give children a chance
to help The Grinch light up the tree

SAN DIEGO (October 17, 2014)—The Old Globe today announced the complete cast and creative team for the Globe’s 17th annual production of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The holiday musical will run on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, November 15 – December 27. Previews run from November 15 – November 19. Opening night is November 20 at 7:00 p.m. The Grinch isdirected by James Vásquez with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin. The original production of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! was conceived and directed by Jack O’Brien with Additional Lyrics by Theodor S. Geisel, Additional Music by Albert Hague, and original choreography by John DeLuca. Ticket prices start at $37 for adults and $24 for children (17 years and under). Performances are restricted to children 3 years and up except for the 11:00 a.m. performances for which tickets can be purchased for children of all ages. Everyone must have a ticket. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a wonderful, whimsical musical based upon the classic Dr. Seuss book. Back for its 17th incredible year, the family favorite features the songs “Santa for a Day,” “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch,” and “Welcome, Christmas (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.

Burke Moses makes his Old Globe debut as The Grinch. He made his Broadway debut as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls and then went on to create the role of Gaston in the New York, Los Angeles, and West End productions of Disney’s mega-hit Beauty and the Beast. He also starred onBroadway in Kiss Me, Kate and Sondheim’s Frogs and Off Broadway in The Most Happy Fella, Li’l Abner, and The Fantasticks.

Returning to alternate in the role of Cindy-Lou Who are Taylor Coleman of Carmel Valley and Gabriella Dimmick of La Mesa. Coleman recently played Minnie in Annie Get Your Gun at San Diego Musical Theatre and also performs with the Royal Academy of Performing Arts, seen numerous times at Mandeville Auditorium. Dimmick was most recently seen as Molly in Annie Jr. at Actors’ Conservatory Theatre – San Diego and Gretl in The Sound of Music at San Diego Musical Theatre. She has danced with California Ballet Company for several years, appearing in their productions of The Nutcracker (2010-2012), Dracula, and Alice in Wonderland.

Three-time San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award winner Steve Gunderson returns as Old Max and marks his 12th appearance in The Grinch at the Globe. His Off Broadway credits include Suds: The Rocking ’60s Musical Soap Opera, Forever Plaid, Back to Bacharach and David, Butley, and Street Scene. Returning as Young Max is Jeffrey Schecter, who previously appeared at the Globe in the world premiere musical Robin and the 7 Hoods. His extensive Broadway credits include Nice Work If You Can Get It, Anything Goes, A Chorus Line, and The Pajama Game, among others.

Rounding out the cast of The Grinch are Robert J. Townsend (Papa Who), Bets Malone (Mama Who), Geno Carr (Grandpa Who), Nancy Snow Carr (Grandma Who), Katelyn Katz and Alexis Rae Tenney (Annie Who), Brooke Henderson and Mikaela Celeste Villalpando (Betty-Lou Who), Noah Baird and Elliot Weaver (Boo Who), and Jordi Bertran and Imahni King-Murillo (Danny Who) with Ensemble members Luke Babbitt, Josh Bradford, Nathan Conlan, Sophia Dimmick, Savannah Rae Farmer, David Kirk Grant, Kyrsten Hafso-Koppman, Jacob Haren, Jolie Hoang-Rappaport, Hourie Klijian, Cady Mariano, Dylan Nalbandian, Nathan Andrew Riley, Lexy Sakrekoff, Jill Townsend, and Kelsey Venter, as well as James Vásquez (Swing).

This season’s production features Musical Direction by Elan McMahan, Additional Choreography by Bob Richard, and Restaged Choreography by James Vásquez. The Grinch creative team also includes John Lee Beatty (Scenic Design), Robert Morgan (Costume Design), Pat Collins (Lighting Design), Paul Peterson (Sound Design), Anita Ruth (Orchestrator), Joshua Rosenblum (Vocal Arrangements and Incidental Music), David Krane (Dance Music Arranger), Caparelliotis Casting (Casting), and Leila Knox (Stage Manager).

The Old Globe will once again offer a sensory-friendly performance of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!on Saturday, December 13 at 10:30 a.m. Following very successful performances the past two years, The Grinch will be performed for children on the autism spectrum and their families, as well as other families with special needs that may appreciate the welcoming and supportive environment this performance provides. Slight adjustments will be made to the production including fewer loud noises and flashing lights that may be challenging for some audience members. Additional features will also help make the experience safer and more enjoyable for children with autism and other sensitivity issues, including a pre-show visit to the Globe to familiarize children with the theatre; an online social story available to view and print at home that will outline in words and pictures the experience of a visit to the Globe; a quiet area in the lobby of the theatre; and on-site volunteers to assist families as needed.

The ninth annual Globe Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on Sunday, November 16 at 6:00 p.m. on the Globe’s Copley Plaza. The ceremony will kick off the holiday season in conjunction with the presentation of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Designed by Grinch scenic designer John Lee Beatty, the unique tree will be located in the center of the Plaza and will remain for the run of the show. This fun family event will feature a special live performance by members of the Grinch cast and a delightful holiday snowfall on the Globe Plaza. Although the event is free, reservations are required. Reservations can be made by contacting the Box Office at (619) 23-GLOBE.

The Old Globe will again hold its “Santa for a Day” contest that will give one lucky child a chance to be a part of this year’s Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Children aged 3 – 10 may create a drawing expressing what the holidays mean to them, and parents may enter it by emailing a photo of it to Contest@TheOldGlobe.org, or drawings may also be delivered in person to the Globe Box Office or mailed to “Santa for a Day” Contest, P.O. Box 122171, San Diego, CA 92112. All of these submissions will be posted online on The Old Globe’s Facebook page. Parents may also enter by posting a photo of their child’s drawing on their Instagram page and tagging @TheOldGlobe. The randomly selected winner will receive a VIP Family Four-Pack to attend the 4:30 p.m. performance of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! on November 16 and, directly after the show, assist The Grinch on stage with the lighting of the Dr. Seuss-inspired tree. For full details and rules, visit www.TheOldGlobe.org/tickets/production.aspx?PID=11481.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is supported in part through gifts from Production Sponsors Audrey Geisel, Bank of America, Random House Children’s Books, and SDG&E. Globe Literacy and Education Initiatives, including the sensory-friendly performance of The Grinch, are supported in part by Elaine and Dave Darwin.

James Vásquez has recreated the original staging of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! since 2003. At the Globe, he directed Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show, served as Associate Director of Jane Austen’s Emma – A Musical Romantic Comedy,and provided musical staging for Boeing-Boeing and the 2013 Shakespeare Festival production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. 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). He won the award in 2010 for Sweeney Todd (Cygnet Theatre Company). His other recent directing/choreography credits include Cats (San Diego Musical Theatre), Marry Me a Little, Birds of a Feather, Pippin, and Next Fall (Diversionary), and Pageant, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Little Shop of Horrors (Cygnet),as well as developmental workshops at La Jolla Playhouse and Goodspeed Musicals. Mr. Vásquez is co-founder of Daisy 3 Pictures. His film, Ready? OK!, won the Best Film award at Seattle, North Carolina, and San Diego film festivals. Daisy 3’s latest feature film, That’s What She Said, made its world premiere at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

TICKETS to Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Performances begin on November 15 and continue through December 27. Ticket prices start at $37 for adults and $24 for children (17 years and under). Performance times: Previews: Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 16 at 4:30 p.m., and Wednesday, Nov. 19 at 7:00 p.m. Opening Night is Thursday, November 20 at 7:00 p.m. Regular Performances:
Tuesday – Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. The sensory-friendly performance is on Saturday, December 13 at 10:30 a.m. (there is no
11:00 a.m. performance that day). Additional performances: Friday, Nov. 28 at 2:00 p.m.; Monday, Dec. 22 at 7:00 p.m.; Tuesday, Dec. 23 and Wednesday, Dec. 24 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. (there are no 7:00 p.m. performances those days); and Friday, Dec. 26 at 4:00 p.m. There is no 7:00 p.m. performance on Friday, Dec. 5, and no 11:00 a.m. performance on Saturday, Dec. 27. There are no performances on Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) and Christmas (Dec. 25).

LOCATION and PARKING INFORMATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego’s Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Guests may also be dropped off in front of the Mingei International Museum. The Balboa Park valet is also available during performances ($12), located in front of the Japanese Friendship Garden. For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org. For directions and up-to-date information, please visit www.TheOldGlobe.org/Directions.

PLEASE NOTE: To look up online or GPS directions to The Old Globe, please do not use the Delivery Address above. There is only a 10-minute zone at that physical address. For GPS users, please click here for the map coordinates, and here for written directions to The Old Globe and nearby parking in Balboa Park.

2014-2015 SEASON CALENDAR: Bright Star (9/13-11/2/14), The Royale (10/4-11/2), Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (11/15-12/27), Murder for Two (1/24/15-3/1), The Twenty-seventh Man (2/14-3/15), The White Snake (3/21-4/26), Buyer & Cellar (4/4-5/3), Arms and the Man (5/9-6/14), Rich Girl (5/23-6/21).

PHOTO EDITORS: Digital images of The Old Globe’s productions are available at www.TheOldGlobe.org/pressroom.

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country’s leading professional regional theatres and has stood as San Diego’s flagship arts institution for over 75 years. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Michael G. Murphy, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 14 productions of classic, contemporary, and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre and the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, both part of The Old Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, and the 605-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 250,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theatre’s education and community programs. Numerous world premieres such as 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, A Catered Affair, and the annual holiday musical Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theatres across the country.

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KIDS BY CITY

SAN DIEGO

Carmel Valley (92130)

Taylor Coleman

Jolie Hoang-Rappaport

Katelyn Katz

Black Mountain Ranch (92127) – Jordi Bertran

City Heights (92105) – Imahni King-Murillo

La Jolla (92037) – Hourie Klijian

San Carlos (92119) – Alexis Rae Tenney

Scripps Ranch (92131) – Nathan Conlan

OTHER

Carlsbad (92009, 92011)

Noah Baird

Elliot Weaver

Escondido (92025, 92029)

Savannah Rae Farmer

Cady Mariano

Dylan Nalbandian

La Mesa (91941, 91942)

Luke Babbitt

Gabriella Dimmick

Sophia Dimmick

Brooke Henderson

Bonita (91902) – Mikaela Celeste Villalpando

Oceanside (92056) – Lexy Sakrekoff

Vista (92084) – Josh Bradford

CAST BIOGRAPHIES

Luke Babbitt (Teen Who) previously appeared 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! Babbitt is 14 and an eighth grader at the La Mesa Arts Academy where he is a member of the Boy’s Ensemble.

Noah Baird (Boo Who) is making his Globe debut. He appeared as Randy in the 2013 Broadway national tour of A Christmas Story, The Musical, which included a run at Madison Square Garden. His regional credits include The Wizard of Oz and Fiddler on the Roof (Moonlight Stage Productions) and Little Jake in Annie Get Your Gun (San Diego Musical Theatre). His film and television credits include Mama’s Boy, and ads for Enbrel and Samsung: Winter Olympics Fever.

Jordi Bertran (Danny Who) 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. Bertran’s other theatre credits include William in the West Coast premiere production of Frankenstein The Musical (Art In Relation in Long Beach) andArchie in 13 andYoung 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.

Josh Bradford (Little Who Ensemble) is a 11-year-old sixth grader at Roosevelt Middle School in Vista. His regional credits include Young Tommy in The Who’s Tommy and Mayor of Munchkin City and Flying Monkey in The Wizard of Oz (Moonlight Stage Productions) and Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol (Temecula Valley Players). His other credits include Benjamin in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Milky White in Into the Woods, and Charlie Bucket in Willy Wonka (Encore Youth Theatre), Baloo in Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS, Ugly in Honk!, and Edmund in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts), and ensemble roles in Big, The Musical, Charlotte’s Web, Once Upon a Mattress, Disney’s Aladdin JR., The Music Man, and The Wiz.

Geno Carr (Grandpa Who) 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). 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).

Nancy Snow Carr (Grandma Who) returns 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).

Taylor Coleman (Cindy-Lou Who) returns to The Grinch after making her theatrical debut last year as Cindy-Lou Who in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! She is eight years old and is a third grader at Sage Canyon Elementary School. Most recently she played Minnie in Annie Get Your Gun at San Diego Musical Theatre. Coleman dances with The Royal Dance Academy’s Royal Academy of Performing Arts, studies voice at NC Studios, and is a competitive gymnast for TRC South Gymnastics.

Nathan Conlan (Little Who Ensemble) is 12 years old and is an honors student, attending Pacific Ridge School. His favorite theatre credits include performing in J*Company Youth Theatre’s The Little Mermaid, Shrek The Musical, Hello, Dolly!, Gypsy, Yentl, Funny Girl, Xanadu, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Disney’s Mulan, Children of Eden, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Fiddler on the Roof. His other venue shows include Madagascar, Aladdin, The Aristocats, Pinocchio, and Beauty and the Beast. Conlan has also appeared on film, screen, and print. He is also a member of On the Town, a J*Company ambassador group that performs and raises funds for non-profit and charitable organizations.

Gabriella Dimmick (Cindy-Lou Who) is an eight-year-old who is returning to Whoville for her second year as Cindy-Lou Who. She is homeschooled, is an avid dancer, plays the piano, and loves all things theater. Dimmick was recently seen as Molly in Annie Jr. (Actors’ Conservatory Theatre – San Diego) and has played Gretl in The Sound of Music (San Diego Musical Theatre). Her California Ballet Company productions include The Nutcracker (2010-2012), Dracula, and Alice in Wonderland.

Sophia Dimmick (Little Who Ensemble) returns to The Old Globe for her third year in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! She is an accomplished harpist and dancer. 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). 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.

Savannah Rae Farmer (Little Who Ensemble) joins the cast of The Grinch for the first time. Farmer is 11 years old and a native of San Diego. She is in the sixth grade at San Pasqual Union Elementary School and loving every minute. She has been performing with STAR Repertory Theatre in North County for several years. She played an Oompa Loompa in Willy Wonka, The White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland, and most recently a British Vulture in Disney’s The Jungle Book KIDS.

David Kirk Grant (Grown-Up Who Ensemble) is making his debut at The Old Globe. He recently appeared in the Pasadena Playhouse production of Kiss Me, Kate (Thug #1) starring Wayne Brady. Grant’s national touring credits include Julian Marsh in 42nd Street, Charlie Cowell and Harold Hill in The Music Man, Dick Deadeye in H.M.S. Pinafore, The Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance, and Dr. Craven in a New Zealand production of The Secret Garden. His regional credits include Side Show directed by Academy Award winner Bill Condon (La Jolla Playhouse), Hugh Dorsey in Parade, Governor and Innkeeper in Man of La Mancha (San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Award nomination), Norbert in The Great American Trailer Park Musical, Zoser in Aida, Jim in Pump Boys and Dinettes, Burl Sanders in Smoke on the Mountain, Michael in I Do! I Do!, Walter Anderson in Chess, Juan Perón in Evita, Rev. Shaw Moore in Footloose, and Peter in Company. Grant can occasionally be spotted as Jafar in Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular (Disney California Adventure Park). He was a co-star on NBC’s “The Office”and recently finished shooting on location in Montana for the upcoming feature film The Thin Line.

Steve Gunderson (Old Max) 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. 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, 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).

Kyrsten Hafso-Koppman (Grown-Up Who Ensemble) previously appeared at The Old Globe in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Chirstmas (2013).Her local credits include Cats (San Diego Musical Theatre), A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Musical (Intrepid Shakespeare Company), Les Misérables, Fiddler on the Roof, Pete ‘n’ Keely, and Joe vs The Volcano (Lamb’s Players Theatre), Sweeney Todd (Moonlight Stage Productions), King o’ the Moon (North Coast Repertory Theatre), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Welk Resort Theatre). Hafso-Koppman recently performed the role of Mary in Respighi’s oratorio Laud to the Nativity in Spokane and Seattle.

Jacob Haren (Grown-Up Who Ensemble)is making his Globe debut in this San Diego classic. Haren most recently played Frank Abagnale, Jr. in the West Coast regional premiere of Catch Me If You Can (Moonlight Stage Productions). His other credits include Drew cover in the Las Vegas company of Rock of Ages, Laurie in Little Women (Moonlight Stage Productions), The Music Man (Lamb’s Players Theatre), Mungojerrie in Cats and Oklahoma (Musical Theatre West), and Hairspray and Mark in A Chorus Line (3-D Theatricals), as well as Red Car News Boys and Disney Junior (Disneyland Resort).

Brooke Henderson (Betty-Lou Who) is back in Whoville for a third year. She is a seventh grader at The Language Academy. Her credits include Annie (Moonlight Stage Productions),Little Inezin 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.

Jolie Hoang-Rappaport (Little Who Ensemble) played a Frog in the musical Disney’s Tarzan with J*Company Youth Theatre last spring. She also discovered she could fly this summer at the San Diego Circus Center. She continues to grow in jazz dance at Scripps Performing Arts Academy, in piano, and in singing.

Katelyn Katz (Annie Who) is a 12-year-old seventh grader at Carmel Valley Middle School. She was most recently seen as Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird (New Village Arts). Her other theatre credits include The Sound of Music (San Diego Musical Theatre), The Stinky Cheese Man, Go, Dog. Go!, Honk!, Annie, and How I Became a Pirate (San Diego Junior Theatre), as well as The Wizard of Oz and Once Upon a Mattress (Actors’ Conservatory Theatre – San Diego).

Imahni King-Murillo (Danny Who) appeared in last year’s production of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! He was recently honored as a National Youth Arts Award nominee for Outstanding Featured Actor for his performance as a Storyteller in the San Diego Junior Theatre production of James and the Giant Peach directed by Ira Bauer-Spector. King-Murillo’s theatre credits also include Shrek The Musical, A Little Princess, Honk!, The Sound of Music,and Flat Stanley (San Diego Junior Theatre). He believes this opportunity to work with The Old Globe is greatly due to the powerful training he receives through Junior Theatre, San Diego Civic Dance Association, and San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, where he recently danced as Hansel in the yearly production of Fairy Tales in the Park. King-Murillo is an 11-year-old sixth grader in South Bay Union Schools District’s Visual and Performing Arts Program.

Hourie Klijian (Little Who Ensemble) returns to The Old Globe to perform in another season of The Grinch. She has appeared in Les Misérables and Christmas on my Mind (Lamb’s Players Theatre), The Sound of Music (San Diego Musical Theatre), Fiddler on the Roof and The Wizard of Oz (Moonlight Stage Productions), Annie and Disney’s Peter Pan JR. (San Diego Junior Theatre), A Gala Musical Review (Kroc Kids Junior Theatre Company), and Celebrity Sonnets, and she has made solo vocal performances at a number of venues in San Diego.

Bets Malone (Mama Who) was seen as Mama Who last year. She most recently appeared as Mrs. Banks in Moonlight Stage Productions’s acclaimed Mary Poppins and as Diana in San Diego Musical Theatre’s Next to Normal. Southern California theatregoers have seen her in such shows as Sweeney Todd, 1776, Once Upon a Mattress, Company, Suds: The Rocking ’60s Musical Soap Opera, Evita, Ragtime, Into the Woods, Annie Get Your Gun, All Shook Up, Children of Eden, Carousel, The Ten Commandments: The Musical, and The Will Rogers Follies. Malone originated the role of Suzy in the Off Broadway production of The Marvelous Wonderettes and recorded the original cast album. She can also be heard on Winter Wonderettes and The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns. She is featured as Tallulah the monkey in Barbie as the Island Princess as well as the singing voice of Velma in Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire.

Cady Mariano (Little Who Ensemble) is making her debut professional stage acting role. She is 12 years old and loves acting, dancing, and singing. She earned second place in the 2014 Ultimate Triple Threat Contest at the San Diego County Fair and recently played the lead role of Hannah in the film D. Asian. Her stage experience also includes many musical and non-musical roles in local theatre, including her recent role of Small Alice in Alice in Wonderland, Fanny in Mr. Scrooge and Mr. Dickens, and stints as part of an improv comedy group. She has performed in numerous dance and singing competitions, regularly achieving the highest awards and recognition.

Burke Moses (The Grinch) is making his Globe debut. He made his Broadway debut as Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls and then went on to create the role of Gaston in the New York, Los Angeles, and West End productions of Disney’s mega-hit Beauty and the Beast. Also on Broadway, he portrayed Fred Graham in Kiss Me, Kate and Herakles in Stephen Sondheim’s Frogs (Lincoln Center Theater). Off Broadway, Moses was seen as Joey in The Most Happy Fella (New York City Opera), played the title character in Li’l Abner (City Center Encores!), and created the role of El Gallo in the first New York revival of The Fantasticks. His recent credits include J.J. Brown in Dick Scanlon’s revision of The Unsinkable Molly Brown (Denver Center Theatre Company), Versati in The Underpants (Long Wharf Theatre, Hartford Stage), Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Paper Mill Playhouse), Harold Hill in The Music Man (Arena Stage), and Captain Von Trapp in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Toronto production of The Sound of Music. Moses is the author of Stanislavski Never Wore Tap Shoes (Musical Theater Acting Craft).

Dylan Nalbandian (Teen Who) returns 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 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). 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.

Nathan Andrew Riley (Grown-Up Who Ensemble) returns to Whoville for the second time. Though a San Diego-based performer, Riley just participated in the New York Musical Theatre Festival in the new musical The Calico Buffalo. Audiences can also catch him chasing a street rat at Disney California Adventure Park in Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular. His favorite credits include Flute in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Musical (Intrepid Shakespeare Company), Winston in miXtape and Scranton Slim in Guys and Dolls (Lamb’s Players Theatre), Smudge in Forever Plaid: Plaid Tidings (New Village Arts), Muleteer in Man of La Mancha (Cygnet Theatre Company), and Seaweed J. Stubbs in Hairspray (Moonlight Stage Productions).

Lexy Sakrekoff (Little Who Ensemble) makes her debut at The Old Globe in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! She is a fifth-grade student at Christa McAuliffe Elementary School and has been singing since she could talk, dancing since age two, and performing on stage since age four. Her last performance was in the role of a Munchkin Teacher in Moonlight Stage Production’s The Wizard of Oz.

Jeffrey Schecter (Young Max) previously appeared at The Old Globe as Willy Scarlatti in Robin and the 7 Hoods and made his first appearance as Young Max last year in The Grinch. He is probably best known for recreating the role of Mike Costa (“I Can Do That!”) in the Broadway revival of A Chorus Line and can also be seen winning that role in the documentary film Every Little Step. His other Broadway credits include The Pajama Game, Wonderful Town, Beauty and the Beast, Guys and Dolls, The People in the Picture, Anything Goes, and Nice Work If You Can Get It. In addition to performing on stage, Schecter is also a screenwriter and filmmaker. His first feature film, Farm Girl in New York (co-star and co-writer), appeared in several film festivals across the country and is now available on DVD and iTunes. His latest film, Tyco Parks the Car, most recently appeared in the Hollyshorts Film Festival in Hollywood and the Coney Island Film Festival in New York.

Alexis Rae Tenney (Annie Who) is making her Globe debut in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Her theatre credits include Love in A Broken Promise (Playwrights Project), Bright Eyes in An American Christmas, Mary Rose in Festival of Christmas,Bethany Britt in The Music Man, and Faith and Bean in The Glory Man (Lamb’s Players Theatre), Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol (North Coast Repertory Theatre), Mary in Traditions of Christmas (Christian Youth Theater), Fagin’s Gang and Workhouse Orphan in Oliver! (San Diego Junior Theatre), and Baby Kangaroo in Seussical, Gavroche in Les Misérables, and Ben in Big River (California Youth Conservatory at the Lyceum Theatre). She has also appeared in commercials for Sea World, Cox Communications, and Legoland Water Park. Her film credits include Slingers, Never Give Up, Traveling Through Life, Amber Alert, and The Legend of Pocahontas, and her musical video credits include “The Sound of Music” with Carrie Underwood and Frozen’s “In Summer.”

Jill Townsend (Grown-Up Who Ensemble) last performed at the Globe in the world premiere of Allegiance – A New American Musical. Most recently she played Lina/Mitzi/Barb in North Coast Repertory Theatre’s production of Romance/Romance and has been working on and off stage for her family’s theatre company, San Diego Musical Theatre. Onstage at SDMT, local audiences may remember her as Kim MacAfee in Bye Bye Birdie, Val in A Chorus Line, and Judy Haynes in the annual production of Irving Berlin’s White Christmas. Her other favorite roles include Winnie Tate in Annie Get Your Gun and Patty Simcox in Grease (Music Circus), Miss Dorothy in Thoroughly Modern Millie and Eileen in the West Coast premiere of I Love a Piano (Musical Theatre West), Columbia in Rocky Horror Picture Show: A Tribute (Universal Studios Hollywood), The Mistress in Evita (Fullerton Civic Light Opera), Luisa in The Fantasticks (North Coast Repertory Theatre), and touring the country in the national tours of A Chorus Line and Camelot.

Robert J. Townsend (Papa Who) most recently performed as Dan in Next to Normal (San Diego Musical Theatre) and Tommy Albright in Brigadoon (Music Circus), and he toured the country with the national tour of Jersey Boys. His other touring credits include Mamma Mia!, Camelot, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and Grease. His New York credits include Prince Royale in The City Club, The Lobbyist in Really Bad Things, and Barry Landis in National Pastime. His selected regional credits include Dan Goodman in Next to Normal (McCoy Rigby Entertainment, LA STAGE Alliance Ovation Award nomination), the title role in Sweeney Todd (Craig Noel Award nomination), Thomas Weaver in The Story of My Life (Ovation and Craig Noel Award nominations), Billy Flynn in Chicago (San Diego Musical Theatre), Joe Gillis in Sunset Boulevard, Edward Rutledge in 1776 (BroadwayWorld Award nomination), Trevor Graydon in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Music Circus, Musical Theatre West), Jamie in The Last Five Years (B Street Theatre), and the title role in Jekyll & Hyde (Ovation Award). He has also been seen on television in “One Minute Soap Opera,” “The Chronicle,” and “Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire.”

Kelsey Venter (Grown-Up Who Ensemble) returns to The Old Globe and The Grinch for her third year in Whoville. 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).

Mikaela Celeste Villalpando (Betty-Lou Who) is thrilled to be making her Globe debut in Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! She is 13 years old and attends Bonita Vista Middle School, where she is part of the BVM Advanced Choir team. She has been doing theatre since she was seven years old. Some of her favorite roles have been Veruca Salt in Willy Wonka and the title role in Annie (Christian Youth Theater) and Kendra in 13 (California Youth Conservatory). She recently filmed her first commercial for Disney Channel, “Friends for Change.”

Elliot Weaver (Boo Who) returns to The Old Globe for a second year for Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! His first year with The Grinch was as part of the Little Who Ensemble. Most recently, Weaver played Vlad Vladikoff in Seussical (Encore Youth Theatre). His credits include a lead role in Cinderella, If the Shoe Fits, Chicken Little, Beauty and the Beast, and Rapunzel with TheatreWest. Weaver is a twelve-year-old seventh grader at San Elijo Middle School in San Marcos.