Janely Rodriguez stars as Betty-Lou Who in Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! at the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. In conversation with Gayety, Rodriguez opened up about queerness, community, and the importance of letting young audiences see themselves onstage.
“I’m genderfluid, so any pronouns are okay with me,” Rodriguez says. In their bio, Rodriguez lists she/they/he, something not often seen in traditional theater programs. For them, it’s a reflection of how identity moves and changes.
“Gender expression is not only not binary, but ever flowing and changing,” they explain. “And ‘queer’ isn’t just an umbrella term for non-heterosexuality, but a politically radical identity.”
The Queerness of Theater
Rodriguez’s connection to the theater is deeply personal. A Miami native with a BFA in Musical Theatre from Brenau University, they’ve built a career across Minneapolis stages, appearing in productions like Frozen The Broadway Musical, Alice in Wonderland, and Cabaret. Yet it’s The Grinch—a show that celebrates joy, empathy, and transformation—that feels especially meaningful to them this holiday season.
“Theatre is just so visceral and sincere,” Rodriguez says. “It’s easy to feel open-hearted and welcome when everyone, from the performers to the audience, is putting themselves in such a vulnerable place.”
That sense of openness, they note, has always made theater a home for those living on the margins, a space where stories of difference can thrive.
Rodriguez views The Grinch as more than a Christmas tale, it’s a story about acceptance and self-discovery.
“I think it’s possible the Whos have given the Grinch many chances to partake in the community,” they say. “He shuns himself because he keeps his heart small and full of hate. It’s not until he opens up and lets his heart grow that he allows himself to be accepted.”
Kids Understand More Than We Think
This year, Rodriguez is taking on the role of Betty Lou Who, the older sister of Cindy who arguably saves the Grinch, the town, and Christmas, just through her compassion and ability to see people. The Grinch, one of Dr. Seuss’s most enduring stories, has long been loved for its celebration of community, acceptance, and the beauty of otherness.
When asked whether themes like inclusivity and identity are too complex for children’s theater, Rodriguez doesn’t hesitate. “You’re not giving kids enough credit,” they say. “Their imagination hasn’t been conditioned and marred by rigid societal standards.”
Playing Betty-Lou, Rodriguez says, feels personal. “Being part of Children’s Theatre Company for the past six years has taught me to lead by example. The students look up to me, but I also look to my more seasoned cohorts when I’m out of sorts.
“And that’s who Betty Lou is. She’s the quintessential older sibling. One foot into adulthood, while still maintaining her juvenescence.”
The Message Behind the Magic
As for what they hope audiences take away from the show? “Now more than ever, it is important to find community,” Rodriguez says. “You can’t build solidarity in isolation. In scary times like these, we need to have each other.”
Looking Ahead
As their star continues to rise, Rodriguez says there’s one dream role that feels particularly resonant. “As a queer person, nothing excites me more than the prospect of an Oscar Wilde play,” they say with a smile. “If the opportunity comes knocking, I will gladly open the door.”
Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! runs November 4, 2025, through January 4, 2026, on the UnitedHealth Group Stage at the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at childrenstheatre.org/grinch.
