The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Celebrates a Historic Creative Milestone and the Spirit of Giving with a Beloved Holiday Musical
CINCINNATI – It’s the most wonderful time of the year, unless you’re the Grinch! The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati (TCT) continues its 107th MainStage season with Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical JR., playing December 4-20, 2026, at The Emery Theater. Tickets start at $12 and are on sale now at thechildrenstheatre.com.
This heart-growing holiday classic brings Dr. Seuss’s beloved story to life as the grouchy, green Grinch plots to steal Christmas from the cheerful residents of Whoville. Featuring whimsical costumes, imaginative staging, colorful characters, and unforgettable songs including “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas,” this festive musical reminds audiences that the true spirit of Christmas can’t be wrapped in a box or tied with a bow.
Starring Cincinnati favorite Bob Herzog as the Grinch, the production brings the colorful world of Whoville to the beautifully restored and reimagined Emery Theater. With inventive puppetry, imaginative scenic design, and the Emery’s advanced theatrical technology, this production promises a holiday experience for the entire family.
For the first time in TCT’s history, the production features an all-female creative design and direction team. Led by TCT Associate Artistic Director Maddie Jones, who serves as Director and Choreographer, the team includes Music Director Julie Spangler, Scenic Designer Sam Reno, Costume Designer Alix Frisch, Lighting Designer Jessica Drayton, Lightborne Video Producer Elizabeth Carrigan, and Sound Designer and Director of Production Dani Lobello. This milestone celebrates the creative leadership, vision, and artistry of women working in professional theatre.
Kim Kern, President and CEO of The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, said: “The Grinch is a story generations of families have come to love, and we couldn’t be more excited to bring it to life at The Emery Theater. This production is particularly special because it marks a historic first for TCT with an extraordinary team of women leading its creative vision. We’re proud to celebrate their talents while sharing a story that reminds us all about the importance of kindness, generosity, and community. Through our holiday toy drive, we’re also inviting audiences to help make the season brighter for children and families throughout our region.”
Help Make the Holidays Brighter!
In the spirit of the Grinch’s heartwarming transformation, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati will host a Holiday Toy Drive benefiting Hamilton County Job and Family Services and Beech Acres Parenting Center at every performance of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical JR.
Audience members are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate when attending the show. These donations will help spread holiday cheer to children and families in our community, reminding everyone that the true joy of the season comes from giving.
Public Showtimes Include:
- Friday, December 4, 2026: 7 PM – OPENING NIGHT
- Saturday, December 5, 2026: 2 PM and 5 PM
- Sunday, December 6, 2026: 2 PM
- Saturday, December 12, 2026: 11 AM and 2 PM (2 PM ASL and Audio Described Performance)
- Sunday, December 13, 2026: 2 PM and 5 PM
- Friday, December 18, 2026: 7 PM
- Saturday, December 19, 2026: 2 PM and 5 PM
- Sunday, December 20, 2026: 2 PM and 5 PM
Accessible Performances: The Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 2 PM performance will feature American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and audio description for patrons who are blind or have low vision.
The Emery Theater also offers wheelchair-accessible seating, assistive listening devices, and the Clement and Ann Buenger Foundation Calming Room for patrons who may benefit from a quieter environment during performances. For accessible seating or additional information, contact the TCT Box Office at 513.569.8080 x10 or tickets@tctcincinnati.com.
Good to know: This production uses theatrical fog and haze. The Grinch is, in fact, a mean one. This production runs approximately 60 minutes without intermission. Ideal for ages 4+.
Production Credits
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical is based on the book by the same name. Book and Lyrics by Timothy Mason. Music by Mel Marvin. Additional Music and Lyrics by Albert Hague and Dr. Seuss.
Originally produced by Running Subway Productions.
Incidental Music and Vocal Arrangements by Joshua Rosenblum. Orchestrations by Michael Starobin. Dance Music Arrangements by David Krane.
“You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas” written by Theodor S. Geisel and Albert Hague. Published by EMI Robbins Catalog Inc.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati Production Credits
Direction and Choreography by TCT Associate Artistic Director, Maddie Jones. Music Direction, Julie Spangler. Scenic Design, Sam Reno. Costume Design, Alix Frisch. Lighting Design, Jessica Drayton. Sound Design and Director of Production, Dani Lobello. Video/Projection Design, Lightborne. Technical Direction, Andrew Nunley. Properties Design, Adam Borchers. Production Stage Manager, Jadi Davis. Puppets created by Jantzer Studios. Lightborne Video Producer, Elizabeth Carrigan
Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical JR. is made possible by Season Sponsors The Charles H. Dater Foundation and H.B., E.W. & F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, N.A., Trustee. PNC Foundation provides additional funding for MainStage Ticket Subsidies. Dress Run Sponsor TriHealth. Additional Sponsors include The P&G Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation, The Sutphin Family Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, and The Shubert Foundation INC. And Media Sponsors 12 WKRC-TV and Q102.
This production is made possible in part by an investment of public funds from the Ohio Arts Council (OAC). The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically.
The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding.
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas The Musical JR. will be performed in the beautifully renovated and reimagined Emery Theater, 1112 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202. Tickets start at $12. Visit thechildrenstheatre.com anytime or call the TCT Box Office at 513.569.8080 x10, Monday – Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM to purchase tickets.
CAST
LUCY ARGUETA*: Betty-Lou Who
LEVI BAUM*: Ensemble
MAIYA CALDWELL: Ensemble/Dance Captain
ADA CAMERON*: Ensemble
HAILEY CHANG*: Ensemble
CELIA D’ASCENZO*: Ensemble
STELLA D’ASCENZO*: Ensemble
COLIN DECH: Auntie Who
EDRICO EVANS-PRITCHETT: Ensemble
JOSH GALLOWAY: Grandpa Who
ADRIAN GRAFF: Young Max
BOB HERZOG: The Grinch
DEZ FLYNN HUTCHENS*: Palm Springs Who
ETHAN KUCHTA: Buzz Who
SHERENE LAVENDER*: Cindy Lou-Who
JOHN H. LLEWELLYN: Timey Who
PATRICK LYTLE*: Boo Who
ELLIET MALATESTA: Mama Who
AARON MARSHALL: Old Max
RYAN MILLER: Ensemble
SEAN MILLER-JONES: Papa Who
KARLI SMITH: Reno Who
SEPHYRAH: Trixie Who
SKY SMYTH*: Danny Who
MYA STADTMILLER*: Ensemble
LISA TAKAHASHI*: Annie Who
KEVIN TIGHE*: Ensemble
MARY VOSSEBERG: Grandma Who
* Denotes TCT’s Young Artists Company
