By Kharisma McIlwaine
Every holiday season, the lyrics “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch” from the classic Dr. Seuss story “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” are sung with glee. Those lyrics, written by Dr. Seuss himself and sung by Thurl Ravenscroft, were inspired by Dr. Seuss’ original children’s book, “How The Grinch Stole Christmas.”
Chamberlin Little
Published in 1957, the story of The Grinch has been adapted many times, first as a made-for-TV animated film in 1966 — later adapted into the very popular live-action feature film featuring Jim Carrey released in 2000 — and in the 2018 animated film starring Benedict Cumberbatch. In the story, the Grinch — a curmudgeon and outcast who hates the notion of Christmas — sets out to steal it away from all the “Whos” in Whoville. After a change and growth in heart, he rediscovers the beauty of Christmas in the heartwarming tale.
In 2007, the Grinch went to Broadway with the stage adaptation of “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.” After breaking records and playing to over 2.5 million theatergoers, the musical continues to wow audiences. The 2024 production, directed by Matt August and choreographed by Bob Richard, with the music and book by Mel Marvin and Timothy Mason, is brought to life by an extraordinary cast. Chamberlin Little plays Max in the show — The Grinch’s lovable, devoted dog and sidekick. Little sat down with The SUN to discuss his joy in the role.
Little, a Tennessee native, found his love for musical theater while doing his very first show.
“I fell in love with theater when I was six years old doing small plays in school,” Little said. “I was in a production of “Suessical Kids,” which is a 30-minute classic of The Broadway musical, “Suessical.” I remember I had one line, stepping up and saying that line, and absolutely falling in love with the audience’s reaction, singing the songs and the costume. I’ve been in love with it ever since.”
At 10 years old, a friend helped flame his passion for theater by explaining that his love for the stage could become his career.
“I remember taking the mindset of this can be my job one day, to every level of theater from community theater to regional theater. This is a job, this something I want to do and pursue forever and ever,” Little said.
Little was homeschooled for middle and high school, so community theater became where he honed his craft. He continued studying musical theater at Belmont University in Nashville.
“The school I went to was, like, “We’re going to treat you like a Broadway professional because that’s what we’re training you for,” Little said.
“Going into it, you have your doubts. Also, for college going from a literal homeschool environment, where I’m with my brothers all the time, to then being around a bunch of people was a huge transition. I think one of the best things I can say for that transition is the professionalism.
Knowing how to walk into the room. and have people say, ‘That’s the person I want to work with.’ Trying to find a way for, a lack of a better term, to sell yourself to people in about three minutes. But that first night when you have a house full of people that have no idea what they’re walking into, and the jokes are landing, people are applauding, everyone is cheering — that’s the moment where it’s, like, ‘That’s what all that work was for.’”
Little’s first introduction to the story of the Grinch, like many of us, began when he was a child. His introduction, however, comes with a unique twist.
“When you’re at school or with your family, they read you the story of the Grinch,” Little said. “Funny enough, one of the first ones I remember hearing was the Grinch [read] in Spanish. I said to my friend, ‘I have no idea what they’re saying — I don’t speak any Spanish.’” “But looking at the pictures, everybody is able to just get this story, from the book to the movie and all that being wrapped into this is a beloved Christmas classic.”
Little’s work ethic continued to propel him forward with him landing the role of Max in the national tour of “Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical.” After seeing a casting in Playbill, he knew he’d be perfect for the role.
“I looked at the description and saw some key words — energetic, puppy energy, lovable — and I said, ‘Oh, that’s me absolutely!’ I was also looking at heights. I’m 5’5, so when I saw ‘must be shorter than 5’8”,’ I thought I was definitely in that audition. I was trying to figure out a song that showed that kind of energy, so I picked “Beethoven Day” from “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” which is one of my favorite shows. I did that, and they enjoyed it a lot. I got the callback and here we are.”
Max’s loyalty to the Grinch is also what makes audiences continue to fall in love with him.
“I think what makes him so lovable is Max is hopeful,” Little said. “He loves the Grinch so much. He’s like I don’t want you to do this, I want you to enjoy Christmas with me. The way that I’m playing it after talking it over with the director, is this is Max’s first Christmas. He doesn’t know what Christmas is, but the way the Grinch is describing it doesn’t sound like a bad holiday at all. Gifts, family, community… this sounds amazing! He’s like Mr. Grinch — there’s no one I want to spend Christmas with other than you. That’s why he’s on this journey with him. He has this hopeful energy that ‘this isn’t who you are, Mr. Grinch.’”
“One of my favorite parts of the show is watching our amazing person playing the Grinch,” Little said. “I had that moment realizing “I’m a Who, too,’ and his heart was growing. It really does tug on the heartstrings of not just the audience, but the cast and crew.”
Little describes his experience with the show as a dream come true.
“This has been surreal,” he said. “It’s different when you’re a little kid, and you say that these are your dreams. There’s work that goes into every single dream, but that’s what makes it worth it when that dream is achieved. The fact that I’m here now talking about a show that I’ve been a part of… I can’t believe it. I can’t believe we’re on show 10. I can’t believe I’ve had this journey already with amazing cast members and the smiles and joy that it’s brought so many people already. It’s unbelievable. Every day is a dream so far.”
Little’s hope for the audience is that they take away the joy that is at the heart of this story.
“One thing I hope audiences take away is joy,” he said. “I know holiday seasons are joyful, as well as tough for a lot of people for a lot of different reasons. [One thing that] everybody can relate to everyone is our show. We’ve all had our moments where we felt like a grinch. We’ve all had our moments where we felt like a Max, where we had to be there for that one person that just wasn’t feeling it. We’ve all had our moments where we had to be a Cyndi Lou, where we had a sense of innocence, and we see past a barrier people put up. I think the one thing people can see is the joy in the community of the show, and the joy of being with other people that the holiday seasons can bring. It’s just something that cannot be topped!”
To support Chamberlin Little on his journey, follow him on IG @chamberlin.little.
“Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical” will be at The Miller Theater November 26th-December 1st. To find out more information on tickets and showtimes, visit www.ensembleartsphilly.org.
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