Q&A With The Grinch’s Serena Brook

Serena Brook as Mama Who and Brance Cornelius as Papa Who.

Serena Brook is thrilled to be spending this winter in Whoville playing the role of Mama Who in Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical. Her recent credits include Kelli in Dear Edwina (Off Broadway) and regional productions of The Marvelous Wonderettes (Missy), Pirates of Penzance (Mabel) and She Loves Me (Amalia). We thought we’d ask her a few questions about her character, what she loves about her job and more.

Theatromania: Tell us about your character, Mama Who.

SB: Mama Who does everything for her family and she loves everything about the Christmas season. She knits Christmas stockings for each and every family member and puts a great deal of thought into every detail being perfect. Mama Who is also quite the planner! She starts the shopping list for next year’s Christmas on December 26th … so the list gets pretty long. But in the end, it’s worth it as long as she has her wonderful Who family and friends!

Theatromania: What inspired you to get into theatre?

SB: I can’t remember a time when I didn’t love theatre. My parents took me to plays and musicals growing up in Minnesota, and it’s cheesy to say, but I remember feeling something special when the lights would dim before the show started. I don’t even think I knew then how important theatre was to me, but it continues to mesmerize me in many ways.

Serena Brook.

Theatromania: What do you love most about what you do?

SB: That’s a toughie. There are so many things. If I have to pick one, I’d say the incredible, talented, fascinating, wonderful people I meet along the way. I have a constantly growing community of inspiring friends, and what’s better than that?

Theatromania: Who are your influences?

SB: My parents, my brother, my professors in college who helped me hone my skills as a performer, and the countless amazing performances I’ve witnessed either on stage or as an audience member. For example, watching Stefan as the Grinch is a treat every night—he’s brilliant!

Theatromania: If you could have dinner with any stage actor who would it be?

SB: I thought about this for a while, and I have to say Barbra Streisand would make an absolutely delightful dinner date.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical runs from December 17, 2010 to January 2, 2011 at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts. To purchase tickets call 416-872-2262 or visit sonycentre.ca. Read our review!

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