BEIJING, Nov. 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The Grinch may have stolen Christmas, but a Manhattan judge ruled Wednesday that striking stagehands and a theater's owners can't.

    State Supreme Court Judge Helen Freedman granted an injunction allowing Running Subway Productins, the producers of "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas!" to reopen the popular holiday classic. 

    "I think one Grinch in town is enough," Freedman said. Her ruling Wednesday came a day after she heard arguments from producers of the show and owners of the theater housing the 6 million U.S. dollar roduction. Producers, citing a special contract between the show and Jujamcyn Theaters, wanted the show to go on.

    The theater owners plan to appeal Freedman's decision. But unless they prevail, the "Grinch" will return with an 11 a.m. show Friday, said John Kuster, attorney for the producers. "Grinch" has a limited run, closing Jan. 6.

    The theater's owners argued that the lockout was legal and a tactical decision by the theater in handling the strike. An attorney for the owners said his clients had no assurance that the stagehands would not walk out again if the show resumed at the St. James Theater on 44th Street, which is owned by Jujamcyn.

    The ruling said that continued closing of "The Grinch" was the result of a management lockout rather than the strike, with the theater owners refusing to let the musical perform even though the stagehands union said it would work.

    The dispute between Local 1 and the League of American Theatres and Producers has closed "Grinch" and 26 other Broadway plays and musicals during the Thanksgiving holiday period.

    (Agencies)