Citi Center hopes for record breaker

Sisters Brooke, 9, and Lexi Samora, 7, of Marblehead greeted Globe Santa on their way to see ''The Nutcracker'' on Sunday. (Taslim Sidi for the Boston Globe)

The holiday partnership between The Citi Performing Arts Center and Globe Santa to help brighten Christmas morning for thousands of struggling families in Eastern Massachusetts goes back several years, but Josiah A. Spaulding Jr., the center's president and chief executive officer thinks this year could be a record-breaker in terms of donations that the performing arts center inspires.

"This is an unusually difficult year for people, and it is my hope that the public will reach out more than it ever has to help Globe Santa," Spaulding said.

Spaulding thinks that the Citi Center's new show, "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" will be just the thing to encourage people to donate generously to those less fortunate than themselves.

"Remember, the story is about the Grinch, who tries to steal Christmas, but ends up delivering all the presents," Spaulding said.

For the past several years, The Citi Center has collected thousands of dollars in donations made during holiday performances in the Wang Theater. Staff and cast members encourage donations by wandering through the lobby before performances wearing Santa hats and other holiday attire.

For 51 years Globe Santa has provided Christmas gifts for needy children thanks to the generosity of thousands of Globe Santa Friends. In recent years, Globe Santa has received more than $1 million in contributions annually. Last Christmas, the program helped brighten the holiday season for 29,378 families and 57,079 children in some 170 communities.

This year, because of severe economic conditions, the need is expected to be even greater.

"The Grinch is a truly a family show," Spaulding said. "Since it opened, I've seen lots of kids here with their parents and grandparents. It's a great oppprtunity to take a dollar or two or $10 or $20 and help brighten Christmas for someone else."

This is first time "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical" has been performed outside of Broadway. Tickets are still available, and the show runs through Dec. 28.

"So far, the people who have come to see the Grinch have been very generous," Spaulding said. "I hope they will be throughout the run."