Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical Comes to Imagination Stage in Bethesda, November 21-January 3.

This festive family favorite marches onto stage November 21 – January 3

Originally posted by Imagination Stage, October 22, 2026

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BETHESDA, MD (October 22, 2026). Imagination Stage™, the metro DC region’s largest professional theatre for young audiences and leader in positive youth development through the arts, rings in the holiday season with Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. A must-see production for the whole family, performances run November 21, 2026–January 3, 2027. Reviewers are invited to attend the VIP Performance on November 21 at 4:00, or any subsequent show.

“We are delighted to produce this holiday favorite that families of all ages can enjoy together,” says Joanne Lamparter, Imagination Stage’s Chief Artistic Programming Officer. “We are always excited to bring our high-quality artistry to beloved stories that highlight the value of community.”

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Imagination Stage

Based on the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss, this musical adaptation of the classic animated film is brought to life with the book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, music by Mel Marvin, and additional music and lyrics by Albert Hague and Dr. Seuss. With direction and choreography from Ashleigh King, Whoville emerges with whimsical sets, toe-tapping songs, and the timeless story of a Grinch who discovers the true meaning of Christmas.

“We are thrilled Ashleigh King is returning to Imagination Stage to direct and choreograph Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical this season,” says Kathryn Chase Bryer, Imagination Stage’s Director of Theatre. “She was the first person I thought of to do this show following her tremendous success with A Year with Frog and Toad (Imagination Stage, 2024). Her expertise in staging and choreographing large scale musicals lends itself to the particular style and magic of this Dr. Seuss classic. We are in awe of her talent and know that this show will be spectacular—so much fun for the whole family!”

Creative Team and Cast

The creative team also includes Music Director Walter “Bobby” McCoy, Scenic Designer Andrew Cohen, Costume Designer Paris Francesca, Lighting Designer Hailey LaRoe, Sound Designer Sam Crawford, and Resident Props and Puppet Designer Dre Moore. Samantha Leahan is Resident Stage Manager.

Following a journey of kindness, community, and redemption, this heartwarming production features a youth company including Ariana Pizzino, June Tuss, Richard Bradford, Penelope Porter, Adrianna Weir, and Benjamin Nesher. The professional cast includes Russell Rinker, Chris Genebach, Jimmy Bartlebaugh, Trenton McKenzie Beavers, Calvin Malone, Sarah Middough, Angelo Harrington II, Tobi Baisburd, and Ciara Wilkerson.

Show Credits, Ticket Prices, and Performance Dates

DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! The Musical

Based on the book How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

Book & Lyrics by Timothy Mason

Music by Mel Marvin

Additional Music & Lyrics by Albert Hague and Dr. Seuss

Directed & Choreographed by Ashleigh King

DR. SEUSS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS!

Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.

Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, recommended for the whole family, runs November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027 in Imagination Stage’s Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Theatre. Tickets are $16 and up and may be purchased online at imaginationstage.org, in person at Imagination Stage’s Box Office, or via phone at 301-280-1660. Group rates are available for parties of 10+. Box Office hours are Tuesday–Friday from 10:00–2:00 and starting thirty minutes prior to performances on Saturday and Sunday.

Special Performances: Meet the Actors

Meet the Actors provides a chance to say hello and pose for pictures with members of the cast following the performance.

• Sunday, November 22 at 3:00
• Saturday, November 28 at 5:00
• Sunday, November 29 at 3:00
• Saturday, December 5 at 3:00
• Sunday, December 6 at 1:00
• Saturday, December 12 at 1:00
• Sunday, December 13 at 10:00
• Saturday, December 19 at 3:00
• Saturday, December 26 at 3:00
• Sunday, December 27 at 3:00
• Monday, December 28 at 3:00
• Wednesday, December 30 at 3:00
• Thursday, December 31 at 11:00
• Saturday, January 2 at 3:00
• Sunday, January 3 at 3:00

ASL-Interpreted and Sensory-Friendly Performances

Access & Inclusion is a core value and program of Imagination Stage. In our professional theatre, that takes the form of having ASL-interpreted and Sensory-Friendly/Inclusive performances of every show. For Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, those performances are:

ASL-Interpreted performance: Saturday, Dec 12 at 1:00 and Sunday, Dec 27 at 11:00

Sensory-friendly/Inclusive performance: Sunday, Dec 13 at 10:00

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Imagination Stage 2026–2027 Season

The 2026-27 season continues with Wake Up, Brother Bear! January 16–February 21, 2027. Classes for children of all ages in creative drama, acting, musical theatre, dance, and filmmaking, as well as performance opportunities start on January 19, 2027.

About Imagination Stage

Founded in 1979, Imagination Stage is the DMV’s leader in positive youth development through the arts. We are driven to build a generation of compassionate, collaborative young people who are capable of changing the world. Beyond the classes, camps, and professional theatre for young audiences at our Bethesda location, Imagination Stage brings programming into the greater Washington, DC community through partnerships with Montgomery County Public Schools, DC Public Schools, and many others. Our Theatre for Change program, which serves teenagers by using theatre productions and educational workshops to bridge cultural divides, lifts up underrepresented voices, and explores complex social justice issues. Imagination Stage is the national partner of Kaiser Permanente to deliver their Educational Theatre program, focusing on mental health, to over 65,000 children and educators around the country during the current school year.

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