Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! reopens at the St James Theatre

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! reopens on 23 Nov 2007 at St James Theatre.

Despite strike action by the union, followed by a lockout by the theatre owners, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! finally re-opens on Broadway.

The show was closed on 10 Nov 2007 when Local One (Broadway's stagehands union) went on strike. The producers of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! finally persuaded Local One, that since they negotiated a special contract with the union in Aug 2007, (Allowing the show to have up to 15 performances in one week, as opposed to the usual 8), that they should not be included in the current industrial dispute.

Local One agreed to resume work on the show and ordered the removal of the picket line outside St James Theatre on 19 Nov 2007, with the intention for the show to reopen on 21 Nov. However, Jujamcyn Theatres, owners of the St James Theatre, then announced that they were locking the stagehands out of St James Theatre, thus preventing the show from resuming performances.

The producers of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! went to court on Wed 21 Nov 2007, in order to force the Jujamcyn Theatres to allow the show to resume performances. The court agreed with the producers, and Jujamycn were ordered to allow the theatre to reopen.

However, though the show reopens on 23 Nov 2007, it may soon be forced to close again as Jujamcyn Theatres are appealing against the decision. The appeal will be heard on 27 Nov 2007. If the appeal is successful, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! may be forced to close its doors as early as the 27 Nov 2007.

If Jujamcyn Theatres should win the appeal, it is expected the producers of the musical will post closing notices, as the $6 million dollar production is on a limited run through to 6 Jan 2008, and if it is forced to close again it will not be able to cover its costs.

In Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! � The Musical, a Christmas hating Grinch steals all the Xmas toys and decorations from the Christmas loving Who's family, but as the musical unfolds both the Grinch and the Who's learn the true meaning of Christmas. The show includes two songs from the 1966 Grinch film: 'You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch' and 'Welcome Christmas.'

Patrick Page, who played the grumpy 'Grinch' in last year's production, returns to the role. Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! � The Musical is once again directed by Matt August.

The production also features Rusty Ross, Jan Neuberger, Janet Dickinson, Amy Griffin, Kurt Kelly, Josephine Rose Roberts and Pearl Sun.

Patrick Page's Broadway credits include playing 'Scar' in The Lion King, Brutus in Julius Caesar (2005), Lumiere in The Beauty and the Beast (1994) and The Kentucky Cycle (1993).

Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! � The Musical has book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin and and choreographed by John DeLuca.

Set design is by John Lee Beatty, with costumes by Robert Morgan, lighting by Pat Collins and sound by Acme Sound Partners.

The musical has been playing during the Christmas holidays at The Old Globe Theater in San Diego for the last 9 years.

The show is conceived and created by Jack O'Brien, and is based on the 1957 Christmas story by Dr. Seuss of the same name.

The musical is being produced on Broadway by Running Subway Prods.