GREASE (The Musical)
A Review by Sandy Carriger
Staff Writer
Tuesday, June 26, 2012 was the opening night of the Music Circus production of GREASE and the first show of their 62nd season. The company played to a full house of young and old. Four billboard sized replicas of juke box menus hung around the stage displaying song titles and artists’ names from the ‘50’s. Music Circus productions are presented in the round. No matter where you are seated, every view is good one. At times, the stage revolves, giving you a 360º perspective. Frequent scenery changes are done during black outs. Several scenes are performed in the aisles, which allows an up close and personal view and gives the audience a feeling of being in the production. The cast in the Music Circus production of Grease. Photo by Charr Crail
GREASE is a nostalgic look at the year 1959 and the beginning of the school year at Rydell High. This is a classic boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back scenario. Sandy and Danny reconnect after a summer love affair. They unknowingly end up attending the same high school, but because of peer pressure, act aloof with one another when all the while they are actually longing to be together. Danny hangs out with his greaser friends, the Burger Palace Boys, who all think they are cool, tough guys. Sandy is new to Rydell and hooks up with The Pink Ladies who are pretty much out of her league. Brandon Albright and Kirsten Scott as Danny and Sandy in the Music Circus production of Grease. Photo by Charr Crail
Sandy is sweet, innocent and naive compared to her new found friends who drink, smoke and are loose with boys. The story line focuses mainly on Sandy (Kirsten Scott) and Danny (Brandon Albright), but some of the other kids’ relationships go through growing pains as well. Rizzo (Leslie Margherita) and Kenickie (Michael D. Jablonski) have their ups and downs including lots of jealousy and a false alarm pregnancy. Jan and Roger’s relationship blooms. Frenchy drops out of high school to attend beauty school and then drops out of that too! Typical teen angst and pressures are brought to light in this fun, musical production.
The original Broadway production of GREASE ran for more than 8 years beginning in 1972 with two revivals in 1994 and 2007. Most of us remember the hit movie musical version, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, which was released in 1978. Two songs, “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re The One That I Want,” were in the movie, but not the original Broadway production. They were, however, included in the Music Circus production along with other memorable tunes, “Summer Nights,” “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” “Born to Hand-Jive,” “Beauty School Drop Out,” “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” and more. Brandon Albright and Kirsten Scott as Danny and Sandy in the Music Circus production of Grease. Photo by Charr Crail
This production included lots of singing and dancing, giggles and grins and even a bit of drama. Some of my favorite scenes and performances in this production mostly took place in Act II. At the high school sock hop, “Born to Hand Jive” included an amazing and colorful dance routine by the entire ensemble. Cha-Cha DiGregoria’s, played by Dana Solimando (who is also the Dance Captain for this production), high kicks, twirls, jumping and jiving were outstanding. Frenchy, played by Melissa Fawn, was adorned in a pink wig for the “Beauty School Drop-Out” daydream sequence; accompanied by Teen Angel and the girls, complete with fan dancing, glitter and bubbles and was one of my favorite scenes. The cast in the Music Circus production of Grease June. Photo by Charr Crail
Leslie Margherita, as Rizzo, gave a powerfully strong performance of the song “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.” It was actually quite touching enough to bring a tear to my eye. Cynthia Ferrer as the staunch Miss Lynch, and Jeff Skowron as nerdy Eugene, put on fun character performances and much of the comic relief. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between Jan (Melissa Wolfklain) and Roger (Kevin Quillon) who seemed to fit so well together singing and dancing. Lastly, I need to mention the hot rod! A scaled down version of a convertible, red jalopy was one of the main props that was actually driven up and down the aisle way and was the focal point for many of the scenes. Of course, credit must be given to Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey for book, lyrics and music. And, as usual, this production could not have been done without the wonderful accompaniment of the CMT Orchestra. Robert J. Townsend and Melissa Fahn as Teen Angel and Frenchy in the Music Circus production of Grease. Photo by Charr Crail
Music Circus productions are performed at the Wells Fargo Pavilion, 1419 H Street in downtown Sacramento. This season includes: GREASE (June 26 – July 1), The Little Mermaid (July 10-22) $30 tickets for children age 4 –12, The Music Man (July 31 – August 5), Fiddler on the Roof (August 14 – 19) and Crazy for You (August 28 – September 2). Performances are Tuesday through Sunday evenings with matinees on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets start at $30 online at www.tickets.com or in person at the Wells Fargo Pavilion Box Office. For more information, you may visit www.SacramentoMusicCircus.com or phone (916) 557-1999.
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