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| Grease, high energy is the word at the 5th Avenue |
by Shaun Knittel -
SGN Staff Writer
Grease
Through May 30
5th Avenue Theatre
The Cuff isn't the only place to see boys in tight blue jeans and leather jackets dancing and singing with each other - Grease the Broadway musical is in town!
I went to the show last Tuesday with little to no expectations. After all, I thought, I'd seen the movie at least a dozen times, so I already know what's going to happen.
Forgive me.
I knew I was in for an evening of high-energy entertainment when disc jockey Vince Fontaine appeared onstage as the people-who-can't-be-on-time-to-anything filed in to take their seats. Fontaine, played by Dominic Fortuna, had one job: to amp up the audience's energy level to, in a sense, take us back to the 1950s, a brilliant idea by Associate Director David John O'Brien. Fontaine sang "Little Darling" and then it was the audience's turn to entertain the disc jockey. Each section inside the beautiful 5th Avenue Theatre had one volunteer who taught the rest of the section to dance the twist, swim, and - best of all - the monkey. Now that Fontaine had the audience loosened up, he led us in a sing-along of "Runaround Sue." As I looked at the audience I realized the staying power of Grease - a musical even before it was made into a smash hit of a movie in 1978 - and the era the show is based off of. I saw grandkids singing along with grandparents, fathers singing with daughters, how "Sue likes to run around."
When the cast launches into the Grease theme song, they are, in essence, take you to a Rydell High 1959 pep rally with the T-Birds and Pink Ladies. The scenic design, costume, lighting and sound were very convincing. Every inch of the stage was used marvelously. A perfect mix of clutter and less-is-more.
The two leads - Danny Zuko, played by Eric Schneider, and Sandy Dumbrowski, played by Emily Padget - were a perfect match. Schneider's Zuko was outstanding. Schneider seemed to balance the sex appeal of Zuko with the tough-guy-turned-nice-guy persona. Padget embodied Sandra D. The two actors had wonderful chemistry together, especially evident during the drive-in theater scene where Zuko tries to get to third base with Sandra D. Padget delivered a heartfelt rendition of "Hopelessly Devoted to You."
Allie Schulz and David Ruffin played character favorites Betty Rizzo and Kenickie, respectively. Schultz' Rizzo was an absolute pleasure to watch as she belted "There Are Worse Things I Could Do." Ruffin did a wonderful job at playing both sides of Rydell High troublemaker Kenickie.
Ruffin and the guys danced and sang "Greased Lightnin'" - the best musical number of the night. There isn't a Gay man in the world who could take his eyes off the stage as the rebels danced and transformed Kenickie's fixer-upper into Greased Lightnin'. At one point, the boys were doing a pushup routine worked into the choreography, and goodness - Greased Lightnin' indeed.
The talented Kate Morgan Chadwick plays Frenchy, the Rydell High dropout and all-around comedian. Chadwick delivered line after funny line throughout the night. Watching Chadwick's Frenchy was a delight. Preston Ellis played Teen Angel and sang "Beauty School Dropout" to Frenchy from inside a giant ice-cream cone. Chadwick nailed the comedy of the situation by making awkward sounds at the crooner and at one point giggling incessantly at the song lyrics. American Idol season five winner Taylor Hicks usually plays the role of Teen Angel.
During the two-act show, the cast sang and danced 20 musical numbers. I dare you to sit still during the show; it's virtually impossible. There is a reason why the Grease soundtrack is one of the best selling in history: the songs are infectious. Although audience favorites such as "You're the One That I Want" and "Summer Nights" were done well, it was the company's version of "Born to Hand-Jive" that stood out. The cast nailed the choreography!
In the end, the show exceeded my expectations. You get the feeling the cast and crew are having fun, as well, almost like everyone in the whole theater, the audience, the janitor, the girl selling bottled water - everyone - is having a good time.
Grease is a must-see. Whether you are a seasoned theater patron or a novice like me, you will exit the theater having been entertained and singing aloud, "Summer lovin', had me a blast.&"
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