La Jolla Playhouse Extends its Quirky Musical ‘Grim’ to Dec. 13 Following World Premiere
Following its world premiere this past weekend, La Jolla Playhouse has officially extended the run of its highly anticipated new musical, “Grim,” through Dec. 13.
Directed by Sammi Cannold, “Grim” imagines what happens when the Grim Reaper decides to retire after 300,000 years of collecting souls. He plans to pass the scythe to his daughter, Diana (played by Akshara Gunda). There’s just one problem: Diana cries over dying flowers and accidentally falls in love with life after befriending a human, Mort (Julio Rey), whom she is supposed to kill.
While a musical comedy about death might sound dark, the Playhouse’s latest world premiere trades gothic gloom for quirky and spectacle-driven fun.
“‘GRIM’ is anything but. It’s an explosion of hilarity, cheekiness, and pathos,” said La Jolla Playhouse Artistic Director Jessica Stone. “With a dynamo creative team and company of performers, it explores legacy, ambition and mortality through Diana, the Grim Reaper’s daughter – who is trying to decide whether or not to join the family business.”
Cannold and set designer Jason Sherwood envisioned the production through a decidedly bright lens, aiming for the grandeur and theatricality of a Disney or Pixar movie. Set in a vibrantly imagined Limbo, the show is designed to make audiences smile and laugh through the majority of its runtime, punctuated by moments of genuine heartbreak.
For locals looking for a memorable night out in La Jolla, “Grim” offers a heartfelt escape right in our backyard.
“Grim” runs through Dec. 13 at the Mandell Weiss Theatre at UC San Diego. For tickets and showtimes, visit this link.
Media credit: Banner image courtesy of lajollaplayhouse.org
Mike Peterson is a writer, editor, and strategist based in San Diego. When he’s not writing and editing the La Jolla news, you can often find him practicing yoga, rock climbing, or exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.
