The sing-a-long, live-action version of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at the Hockessin Public Library on Saturday put everyone in a holiday mood.
The first-ever event, sponsored by the Hockessin Business Association and the library, drew a standing-room-only crowd of parents, grandparents and kids. The children clustered up front on the floor. We were told by one of the organizers that we were welcome to join them, but we opted for chairs instead.
First the audience practiced the songs, twice. It was funny seeing the nonsense Dr. Seuss words written out as subtitles: "Trim up the town with goowho gums and bizilbix and wums."
And then the movie started, with live actors performing it as the classic cartoon played behind them on the big screen. Charles Shattuck, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited, played the evil Grinch with gusto and drew shrieks from the little ones when he made his entrance. He brought along his hapless dog Max (stuffed) and acted out the Grinch's fiendish attempts to spoil the Whos' Christmas. The little girl who played Cindy Lou Who was adorable, with her red Who tiara.
At the end, of course, as the Grinch realized that Christmas couldn't be stolen, his heart grew three sizes (sproinggg!) and he cheerfully returned all the Whos' belongings and presided at their Christmas feast.
My date and I had a great time, singing and laughing and watching the little kids and the actors. We happened to see Charles the next day at another Christmas event, and he said he had a blast and hoped to do it again next year, maybe with even more special effects. We're going to bring a child along with us for camouflage so we can sit up front.
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