Matthew Lombardo’s Who’s Holiday! is eyeing a 2018 Broadway engagement, according to a press representative for the show. Tony-winning producer Ben Feldman (Great Comet, Pippin, On the Town) is leading the producing team.
A theatre, dates, casting, and a creative team will be announced at a later date.
Who’s Holiday!, a satirical spin on Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas, played a six-week engagement at the Westside Theatre Upstairs in 2017 starring Olivier Award winner Lesli Margherita (Matilda) as a 40-year-old Cindy Lou Who. Carl Andress directed the world premiere, with performances running November 20–December 31.
In Who’s Holiday!, Cindy invites audiences into her beaten-down trailer on the side of Mount Crumpit for a twisted Christmas tell-all.
Who’s Holiday! was originally announced for a 2016 premiere at New World Stages starring Tony nominee Jennifer Simard. The production was abruptly canceled less than a month before previews were to begin after Lombardo and the show's producers received cease and desist letters from Dr. Seuss Enterprises, citing copyright infringement.
Following a year-long legal battle, a U.S. district court ruled in favor of playwright Lombardo in 2017. On July 6 of this year, following an appeal of the lower court's ruling on behalf of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, a U.S. Court of Appeals once again ruled in favor of playwright Lombardo, affirming the play is indeed a parody.
“The 2nd Circuit's decision is a win for both Mr. Lombardo and the First Amendment,” said Lombardo’s attorney, Jordan Greenberger. “On its face the play is a parody, and we are thrilled that the court recognized Mr. Lombardo's right of free expression.”