Millennial to Present Adult Holiday Comedy ‘Who’s Holiday’

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Millennial Theatre Company will present the Mahoning Valley premiere of “Who’s Holiday,” a bawdy comedy for adults only, this weekend at Hopewell Theatre, 702 Mahoning Ave.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 29-30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1.

“Who’s Holiday,” a one-woman show starring Brandy Johanntges, tells the story of Cindy Lou Who, 30 years after the events of “The Grinch.”

Cindy is in exile from Whoville after a series of bad decisions led her to destitution on Mt. Crumpit, then prison and, finally, the trailer she resides in today.

The wildly funny comedy is narrated entirely in rhyme by an adult Cindy, as she recalls the Christmas Eve when she first met the Grinch and the twisted turn of events her life has taken.

The show is a departure from typical holiday fare, said Joe Assente, director.

“MTC has made a name for itself over the years for producing large-scale musicals, and it is definitely where we are most comfortable,” Assente said. “It takes a lot for us to even consider doing a play.”

However, after Asente watched a livestream of the show during the pandemic, he knew it would be a hit with MTC audiences.

“We have been trying to find the best way to fit it into our season ever since,” Asente said. “When I met Brandy last season during ‘Sweeney Todd,’ I knew straight away she was the person to lead this show. She brings the perfect amount of sweetness, spice, spunk and spark to Cindy.”

The show, he added, has a dash of nostalgia to satisfy that element of a holiday show, but also delivers the humor that comes with the season.

Tickets start at $20 and are available at MillennialTheatre.org.

Pictured at top: Brandy Johanntges stars in Millennial Theatre Company’s production of “Who’s Holiday.”

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.