Christopher Lloyd Bows Out of LA's 'GRINCH;' Replaced by Stefan Karl

The Los Angeles debut production of Dr. Seuss' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! The Musical, is down one Grinch in Christopher Lloyd, who has left the production.  He has been replaced by Grinch vet Stefan Karl, who performed the role last Christmas season in Boston at the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre and in Baltimore prior to that.  The production will play the Pantages Theatre for a limited engagement during the 2009 holiday season, November 10 through January 3. In addition to Karl, John Larroquette (Old Max) leads the 24-member cast.

Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical features the hit songs "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas" from the original animated series. 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. Magnificent sets and costumes inspired by Dr. Seuss' original illustrations help transport audiences to the whimsical world of Whoville, while the Music and Book of Mel Marvin and Timothy Mason breathe new life into this timeless story of the true meaning of Christmas.

The company of the Los Angeles production features James Royce Edwards as "Young Max". The role of "Cindy Lou Who" will be alternated between two young actresses: Kayley Stallings and Issadora Ava Tulalian. Other cast members include Melinda Gilb as "Mama Who", Danny Gurwin as "Papa Who", Rosemary Loar as "Grandma Who", and Stuart Zagnit as "Grandpa Who". Adult ensemble members include Eric Anthony, Heather Barr, Alex Chester, Janet Dickinson, Antoinette DiPietropolo, Jennie Ford, Dennis Kenney, Shanon Mari Mills, Candice Nicole, Josephine Rose Roberts, Joe Souza, and Pearl Sun. Child ensemble members include Michael William Arnold, Isabella Briscoe, Maddie Levy, Molly Livingston, Quinton Lopez, Terren Mueller, lindsay Ryan, Molly Ryan, Gracie Stover, and Terrance Thomas.

Featuring the hit songs "You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas," The Grinch discovers there's more to Christmas then he bargained for in this heart-warming holiday classic. Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small", decides to steal Christmas away from the Whos, an endlessly cheerful bunch bursting with holiday spirit. Celebrate the holidays with this heart-warming holiday classic.

Tickets are now available for purchase online at www.BroadwayLA.org or by phone at 1-800-982-ARTS(2787).

Stefan, who is best known for playing the character Robbie Rotten on the television show LazyTown, has performed with the renowned Icelandic Academy of Arts, and the prestigious National Theater of Iceland where created many legendary roles, earning rave reviews for his lead role in Cyrano De Bergerac, as song-and-dance-man CosMo Brown in Singin'In The Rain, and as the engaging Puck in Midsummer Night's Dream. At the National Theater, Stefán created what has become his signature role, that of the scheming bad guy, Robbie Rotten, in the live version of LazyTown. Thanks in part to his delicious deviousness, the stage show sold out for more than two years. And Stefán was invited to continue in the role when it became the worldwide phenomenon on television. LazyTown is currently seen in more than 100 countries, and has garnered numerous awards, including the British BAFTA for Best Children's Program. Karl is the founder and director of the nonprofit organization, Rainbow Children, created to bring public awareness and strategic solutions to the endemic problem of school bullying. It now has branches in several countries. 

Photo Credit: Gunnar Freyr Steinsson