Most regional theatres have a traditional Christmas show, the annual money maker that is both popular with the community and with company's regular theatregoers. Most stage A Christmas Carol, while some do something culturally or regionally significant - South Coast Repertory's La Posada Magica or Black Nativity, annually staged by Seattle's Intiman Theatre.

San Diego's Globe Theatres, however, have their own special homegrown musical, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, which has played the holiday season for four years. Sept. 9, the city has a chance to pre-purchase tickets to the regularly sold-out show by showing up at the box office at any time during the day.

The first 50 ticket buyers will receive limited-edition Globe watches. At 10 AM, the Grinch himself will be on hand to greet ticket-buyers. The Grinch, while being generally Grinch-y, will take photos with the crowd and reward children bringing in donated books for the San Diego Council on Literacy with an autographed photo of himself.

How The Grinch Stole Christmas!, book and lyrics by Timothy Mason, music by Mel Marvin, directed by Jack O'Brien, plays at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre Nov. 18-Dec. 31.

Seuss was the author of several children's books including "Hop on Pop," "One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish," and "Horton Hears a Who." The Grinch, is one of Seuss' best known characters, not only from the book, but from an animated television special which is an annual holiday favorite and a 2000 live action movie starring Jim Carey as the Grinch. Tickets are $15-$50. The Old Globe Theatre is located in Balboa Park, beside the Museum of Man. For tickets to Grinch (also available July 23), call (619) 239-2255. The Old Globe is on the web at http://www.oldglobe.org.

-- By Christine Ehren