Youngster performs in Old Globe holiday production
By Jill Alexander
Besides celebrating the busy holiday season, Jerabek Elementary School student Aiden Granum, 10, is spending his time at The Old Globe Theatre appearing in “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
In the popular musical, Max the Dog narrates how the mean and scheming Grinch tries to steal Christmas from the holiday-loving Whos of Whoville. But the Grinch discovers there is more to Christmas than what
he ever thought.
Running now through Dec. 31, Granum appears as “Boo Hoo,” the brother of Cindy Lou Who; “as part of the ‘family cast,’” he said.
As a member of the “red team,” Granum alternates in the role with another youngster, Christopher Smyres.
“I’m in about 65 percent of the play,” he said. “I started doing plays in preschool. My first was ‘Lion King.’ I like singing and dancing.”
Granum said he auditioned in August and learned he landed the role of one of the four siblings in the musical shortly afterward.
“I like it. I get to hang out with friends I made in the play, and I like singing and dancing a lot,” he said. “I have three lines – one is I say, ‘thank you, Mr. Grinch,’ after he gives me a red wagon as a Christmas gift.
“It’s been a great experience as the Old Globe is incredible with kids, and the director is fantastic. It’s a big commitment but it’s worth it to see him on stage, dance and learn from professional actors,” Mom Pari Granum said.
Once the production has completed its run, Granum said he is already looking toward more acting. He has since auditioned for “Finding Nemo” and plans to try out for “Matilda.”
When he isn’t acting, Granum likes to play baseball as does his older sister Emma, who is 12.
The fifth grader said people should come out to see the holiday production because, “It’s a great play, energetic, and if you’re looking for something fun, you should go to it.”
This is the 27th annual production of “Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” with Globe resident artist James Vásquez directing again; and with Andrew Polec reprising his role as The Grinch.
“Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” is playing on the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Globe’s Conrad Prebys Theatre Center in San Diego’s Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. Performances for the eight-week engagement run now through Dec. 31.
Visit TheOldGlobe.org for a full schedule and online tickets. Tickets are also available by phone at
(619) 234-GLOBE (234-5623), or in person at The Old Globe’s Box Office in Balboa Park.
