It's beginning to look a lot like Grinchmas. The Universal Studios theme parks will again feature the grumpiest character created by Dr. Seuss with the holiday event.
This is the 11th season for The Grinch and his loyal canine companion, Max, to be part of the celebration at Universal Studios Hollywood. Universal's Senior Director of Entertainment Production Stephen Siercks was one of the original team members when the holiday production debuted in 2008. He says each year has just gotten bigger and better.
"One of the nice things about the Grinchmas _ as part of our seasonal entertainment _ is that guests come back year to year to experience new memories and relive old ones," he says. "The whole idea of spending the season together is something that means a lot to us and I know it means a lot to the guests as well."
The Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood features a 60-foot Grinchmas tree where Martha May Who-vier and the Who-Dolls take center stage. Hip boy band The Who-liday Singers perform a cappella concerts featuring a mix of Christmas favorites and pop rock.
Universal Studios Orlando offers the Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular at Islands of Adventure. It's a stage show production telling "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" that features a cast of Who-ville residents and music recorded by Mannheim Steamroller.
The event attracts a wide range of Grinch fans as the tale's first printing was in 1957. The story of a grouchy, cave-dwelling creature who wants to ruin Christmas for all the Whos in Whoville has been turned into a 1966 animated TV special that continues to be broadcast annually, a 2008 Broadway show and director Ron Howard's 2000 live-action film starring Jim Carrey.
Joining the long list of productions is the new animated film "The Grinch," with Benedict Cumberbatch providing the title character's voice. It earned more than $38 million in its opening weekend.
Among the fans of the various incarnations of the Grinch are Siercks and the large number of employees who bring Grinchmas to life each year. Siercks explains that the deep connection he and his team has for the characters makes it easy for them to understand why it is important to give theme park visitors the Grinch-iest event as possible.
Along with Grinchmas, his work includes holiday decor throughout the theme park including Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and the adjoining Super Silly Fun Land as a crew of merry and mischievous Minions spread Christmas cheer. There's also Christmas in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, running through Jan. 6, that includes a projection light spectacular.
All the holiday events at Universal Studios Hollywood are included in the price of theme park admission. Grinchmas will take place the weekends of Dec. 1-2 and 8-9 and daily Dec. 14-30 at Universal Studios Hollywood. Those who travel to Florida for Grinchmas at Universal Studios Orlando can pay an extra fee and have breakfast with the Grinch at the Circus McGurkus Cafe. Orlando's Grinchmas Wholiday Spectacular runs through Jan. 6.
More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com and www.universalorlando.com.
Visitors will be seeing this year's work soon but Siercks and his team has already started working on Grinchmas in 2019.
