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Judge Gives 'Grinch' Go-Ahead

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The Associated Press

Published: November 22, 2007

NEW YORK - All the Whos down in Whoville will have holiday work this year after a Manhattan judge ordered the Broadway production of "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!" to reopen despite the ongoing stagehands strike.

"I'm going to grant the injunction" against the lockout, State Supreme Court Justice Helen Freedman said Wednesday. "I think one Grinch in town is enough."

Her ruling came a day after she heard arguments from producers of the show and owners of the theater housing the $6 million production. Producers, citing a special contract between the show and Jujamcyn Theaters, wanted the show to go on.

Jujamcyn owners said the lockout was legal and a tactical decision by the theater owners in handling the strike. An attorney for the owners said his clients had no assurance that the stagehands would not walk out again if the show resumed at the St. James Theater, which is owned by Jujamcyn.

The continued closing of "The Grinch," however, was the result of a management lockout rather than the strike, with the theater owners refusing to let the musical perform even though the stagehands union said it would work.

Theater owners plan to appeal Freedman's decision. Unless they prevail, the "Grinch" will return with an 11 a.m. show Friday, said John Kuster, attorney for the producers.

"We got our miracle on 44th Street," said James Sanna, "Grinch" producer. "We hope the League and Local 1 settle their differences so all of Broadway can be back up and running soon."

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