By Nate Brown
It isn’t every day that you get to see a musical, watch a comedy show, and eat a tasty dinner all at once, and that is what The Desert Star is presenting with their Christmas show, How the Grouch Stole Christmas. My sixteen-year-old daughter and I were almost giddy with the thought of the evening ahead of us. Director Scott Holman, Musical Director David Slack, and Choreographer Allison Cox do not disappoint.
As we walked in with our tickets in hand, the serving staff greeted us cordially and escorted us personally to our seats. The Playhouse Theater has the feel of a saloon from an old Western movie, and the men and women who serve dress to fit the part. As other the patrons were escorted in, we had the chance to go through the playbill, cleverly disguised as a newspaper on our table. While snacking on the gratis popcorn, my daughter and I first chose out our meal for the evening, and then perused the cast for familiar faces. Accompanist Trevor Jax took the stage early to introduce newcomers to the special audience participations requirements of Desert Star’s performances and to lead us in a brief Christmas sing-along to get us in the proper mood. Our server took our order efficiently and was able to answer our questions knowledgably, and as drinks began arriving at the tables around us, the lights dimmed.
How the Grouch Stole Christmas is a musical melodrama written by Ben Millet with additional lyrics by Ben Mayfield. It follows the daughters of Clarabell Where (Sara McDonald) as they are tormented by The Grouch (Dan Larrinaga) and protected by The Grouch’s dog Kenny (Matt O’Malley, also played by Danny Eggers) and Hunter Hyrum Y (Rick Miller, also played by Todd Michael Thompson).
Madison Bartell (Cindy Lou Who, also played by Samantha Isom), Hillary Akin Carey (Sam What, also played by Jamie Haderlie), and Francesca Mintowt-Czyz (Becky Sue When) are delightful as the sisters. Mintowt-Czyz shines brightest with impeccable timing and an intellectual child character that is loveable and a joy onstage. Carey and Bartell round out the comedy trio with one-liners and running gags that carry on happily throughout the scenes.
Larrinaga is solid in his role as the Grouch, and O’Malley is two-parts clueless, one-part heart as the dog and sidekick. Together, they create a team of villains so lovable that you can’t help but root for them, whether they’re stealing presents or giving them back.
The love triangle of McDonald, Miller, and Lee Daily (Mayor Rudolph Wholianni, also played by Daniel Akin) is just the right amounts of ridiculousness, creepiness, tension, and hilarity to keep the story light and enjoyable. A tribute to Abbott and Costello between McDonald and Miller suffered for timing on our night, but glimmers with the echo of true comedic genius.
The sound and light design by Eric Jensen support the show with authentically Christmas sights and sounds, starting and ending the show with a quality reminiscent of a looking at a Christmas painting during the holidays. Costumes designed by Lynn Funk are a bright and beautiful accent to the characters they dress.
While certain aspects of the show are best left to the realm of surprise, the unexpected (and possibly unscripted) appearance of stage manager Brady C. Wilkinson onstage was one of the funniest moments of the night.
As the story resolves and the curtain falls, a feeling of satisfaction descends upon the audience. When we are reminded that there is still a third act coming, a Christmas themed musical review, an electric charge fills the room.
The cast and accompanist do a fine job of leading the way into Christmas with traditional and not-so-traditional carols, with two biting commercial satires intermixed that will have you laughing even as you squirm in your seat. From start to finish, Desert Star’s How the Grouch Stole Christmas is a celebration of the funnybone of Christmas in Utah. Bring your family to Murray and feast on food and comedy, where even the bodily function humor comes across as tasteful and amusing.
Desert Star presents How the Grouch Stole Christmas by Ben Millet with additional lyrics by Ben Mayfield.
Desert Star Playhouse Theater, 4861 S State Street, Murray, Utah, 84107
November 8, 2018 – January 5, 2019, times vary
Tickets: $24.95 – 28.95
Contact: 801-266-2600
Desert Star Facebook page
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