This page was last updated on: December 2, 2009
What's Up!
Updated
December 1, 2009
The biggest news right now is that I am reprising my role as "Young Max" in Dr Suess' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, but this time I'm doing it at the amazing Pantages Theatre here in Los Angeles. I play opposite Stefan Karl (who replaced Christopher Lloyd) as "The Grinch" and John Larroquette who plays "Old Max." I think at this point I'll let some of the press releases do the talking. Here's a bit from Playbill.comStefan Karl will be the title grouch in the Los Angeles premiere of Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, beginning performances Nov. 10 at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.
Karl, who recently replaced Christopher Lloyd in the role, will don green fur and makeup, reprising the part that he played in Baltimore and Boston in 2008.
Official opening in L.A. is Nov. 14. Performances run through Jan. 3, 2010.
Theatre, film and television star John Larroquette will play the role of Old Max, and James Royce Edwards plays Young Max — the Grinch's persecuted pooch.
Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical features the beloved songs "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas" from the original animated TV special. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small," decides to steal Christmas away from holiday-loving Whos of Whoville
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical plays Hollywood's Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Boulevard at Vine Street.
Tickets range in price from $25-$90. Performance schedules vary and tickets can be purchased online at BroadwayLA.org or by calling (800) 982-ARTS (2787).
We started previews on November 10th and officially opened our show on November 15th. Reviews have been great but more importantly the audiences seem to really love the show and it seems to put them instantly into the Christmas spirit. I have a great time signing autographs and taking pictures with the little ones who wait backstage with my puppy make up still on. I also love to go home and surprise Kade at night with my puppy face. It cracks him up every time.Anyway, here are some quotes and links to some of the reviews:If you're anywhere in the LA area please try to make it. The show is very entertaining and has a lot of heart. The cast is not only super talented but also full of warm wonderful people who are a pleasure to work with. The Pantages Theatre is also one of the most beautiful theatres I've ever played. So come on down to Whoville and give me a shout out when you do. Hope to see you there.And now for something completely different....Ok, just try to imagine going from rehearsing my role as the Grinch's puppy during the day to performing the role of "Rocky" in The Rocky Horror Picture Show as part of Universal Studio's Halloween Horror Nights. I cannot imagine two more completely different shows, and I pause to even post pics of Rocky while I'm doing The Grinch, but here goes. Needless to say, I had a blast doing this show. I'm not even going to try to explain the Rocky Horror phenomena to those not acquainted with it, but let me just say it's out there. Silly, goofy, sexy, and a lot of audience participation. Definitely did not take Kade to see this one, but yes my family was there to see me in my fishnets and gold Speedo. The first picture of me as Rocky and Jill Townsend as Columbia, is a recreation of the choreography we did when we played Conrad and Kim in Bye Bye Birdie. We thought it might be priceless in those outfits. You be the judge.
Oh yeah, since we did 8 to 10 shows a night, the show was double cast. What a great group of crazy wonderful friends.
And in other news, my college news paper did a piece on me the other day. Yes the guy in the Gold Speedo went to BYU. Anyway, I thought it was nice so if you'd like to check it out CLICK HERE.
Finally, on the fitness front. I'm going to be in a couple different magazines in December but I don't have all the details yet. More to come.
Have fun with the site. MAJOR OVERHAUL COMING SOON!
All the best,
James
