Seuss on the loose
BAAY steals The Grinch
by Christopher Key
How can you not love a show that makes Larry King look like even more of a fool than he manages to do on his own? Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth has taken Dr. Seuss’ classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas, refreshed it a bit with updated pop-cultural references, and made it a complete holiday treat.
Much of the credit goes to first-time director Lisa Markowitz, who obviously buys the BAAY philosophy that handing challenging material to young actors is a good thing. BAAY has proved repeatedly that this approach evokes performances far beyond what would be expected of eight- to ten-year-olds. That’s the age range of this fabulous all-female cast and they demonstrate the stage presence of far more mature performers. Markowitz also created the dazzling choreography that makes this show rock.
Since Larry King is probably the only person on earth who might not be familiar with the story, I’ll use the space to pass out some well-deserved kudos. As The Grinch, Ellie Baader mugs and grimaces her way through the role with obvious glee and her portrayal is a total delight.
The character of Cindy Lou embodies all of the negative connotations that have come to be associated with the word “princess.” Olivia Ferguson plays the older incarnation of Cindy Lou with an eye-rolling snottiness that is a joy to behold. The younger version of the character is portrayed by Linnea DeVange with equal verve and charm.
This production features two narrators that are played with Grinchy geekiness by Marina Purdie and Raynie Perona. Both those names will be familiar to BAAY audiences who have witnessed performances by their gifted older siblings. The younger ones only add more luster to those theatrical traditions.
Isabel Davies, Olivia Ferguson and Ellie Baader star in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, now playing at the BAAY Actors Studio.
Isabel Davies delivers a hysterically funny portrayal of the aforementioned TV personality and does Larry King better than Larry King does. As Max the Dog, Nina Walsh is totally endearing and had the audience wagging their tails in approval. Allison Kaneshige nearly steals the show with an amazingly subtle performance as the slightly sleazy showbiz promoter Tim Gunn. She spouts celebrity clichés with complete aplomb and a perfectly deadpan delivery.
As the Christmas Fairy Who, Zoe Taylor prances about the stage with great energy, strewing literal and figurative glitter in her wake. Olivia Hampton portrays the Camera Man as though born to the role and makes the most of a relatively minor part.
The Whoville Whos all sing and dance like far more mature actors while still retaining their childlike charm. They are Annika Reiss, Callis Christante, Lily Gould, Olivia Hampton and Indigo Bruno-Hopps.
Two of the things about young actors that often drive me up the wall are their tendencies to speak far too fast and not project their voices. I rarely see this at BAAY and that’s a tribute to the professionalism of the instructors. All the actors in Grinch can not only be heard, but understood. I’ve seen college-level productions that didn’t do as well.
I’ve run out of superlatives for Musical Director Steve Barnes, so you’ll have to come up with your own. BAAY CEO David Post filled in for him as pianist at the dress rehearsal and did a remarkable job reading the score in the dark. Krystyn Bitner gets a huge shout-out as both Assistant Director and Stage Manager. The very Suessian set design was done by George Pine. Yoni Marker assembled the costumes, which couldn’t be more perfect. Tina Perona is credited as the Princess of Hair and epitomizes the good things about a princess. Marina Purdie’s older sisters are the hard-working stagehands.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas plays at the BAAY Actors Studio, 1059 North State Street, at 7:00 p.m. December 3, 4, and 5, with 2:00 p.m. matinees on December 5 and 6. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved at www.brownpapertickets.com. Don’t make the mistake of assuming they’ll be available at the door. BAAY shows often sell out and deservedly so.
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