CHICAGO—When we think of “Grease” most of us think: large cast and gobs of glitz. But this musical, written by Chicagoan Jim Jacobs with the late (transplanted to Chicago from New York) Warren Casey, originated as a small scale show. Over the years it has grown into a mega-phenomenon.
The road production that is now at The Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University has gone back to it roots—it is just what it was meant to be—show-casing strong talent and a cast of high energy performers. A total of 25 actors make up the entire cast.
The story is simple. Danny (Eric Schneider) spent the summer at the beach where he met and romanced Sandy (Emily Padgett). Sandy didn’t know that he was a “greaser” or that she would end up in the same school with him. Danny is Mr. Cool with his Rydell High School cronies, but played it a lot different with Sandy. Each now has to find a way to recapture what they found together but, this time, as their social selves.
The show is a fun-loving, finger-snapping, dance-in-the-aisles type of show that appeals to “kids” of all ages (but for the record, it is a little deeper than the movie and has some language and “touchy-feely” moments that may not be right for little ones—you be the judge of your kids under 13).
This version has added songs from the film, “Sandy,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “You’re The One That I Want,” as well as “Grease.” It also features former American Idol winner Taylor Hicks as ”Teen Angel,“ and he adds a special touch to ”Beauty School Dropout” with his harmonica. His role has very little stage time and one song/no lines (yet he is given star billing).
Padgett and Schneider are both strong singers and dancers and that’s what this show calls for. Acting is optional.
The road production that is now at The Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University has gone back to it roots—it is just what it was meant to be—show-casing strong talent and a cast of high energy performers. A total of 25 actors make up the entire cast.
The story is simple. Danny (Eric Schneider) spent the summer at the beach where he met and romanced Sandy (Emily Padgett). Sandy didn’t know that he was a “greaser” or that she would end up in the same school with him. Danny is Mr. Cool with his Rydell High School cronies, but played it a lot different with Sandy. Each now has to find a way to recapture what they found together but, this time, as their social selves.
The show is a fun-loving, finger-snapping, dance-in-the-aisles type of show that appeals to “kids” of all ages (but for the record, it is a little deeper than the movie and has some language and “touchy-feely” moments that may not be right for little ones—you be the judge of your kids under 13).
This version has added songs from the film, “Sandy,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “You’re The One That I Want,” as well as “Grease.” It also features former American Idol winner Taylor Hicks as ”Teen Angel,“ and he adds a special touch to ”Beauty School Dropout” with his harmonica. His role has very little stage time and one song/no lines (yet he is given star billing).
Padgett and Schneider are both strong singers and dancers and that’s what this show calls for. Acting is optional.
The pre-show gets the audience into the rock-n-roll mood with Dominic Fortunata coming on stage as Vince Fontaine, the oldie loving D.J. from WAXX, who emcees the dance scene in the gym. After 10 minutes or so the audience is ready to go back to high school and enjoy the show. He does a great job of getting the audience involved and his disk jockey character is solid.
They say that good things come in small packages, and for a Broadway type production, this small cast gives us a lot of “good things.” The ensemble members Joseph Corella, Ruby Lewis, Dayla Perkins, Mark Raumaker, Matthew William Schmidt, and Brooke Stone play a multitude of roles well. Ms. Lewis and Mr. Corella are terrific in the “Born To Hand Jive” number as the specialty dancers. The very sexy Dayla Perkins is dynamite as Cha-Cha DiGregorio. Roxie Lucas handles the role of Miss Lynch beautifully. I was very impressed with Ally Schulz as Rizzo and Kate Morgan Chadwick as Frenchy—both giving special performances, and there was some wonderful chemistry between Jan (Bridie Carroll) and Roger (Will Blum).
David Ruffin (Kenickie), Nick Verina (Sonny), Brian Crum (Doody), Kelly Felthous (Marty), Erin Henry (Patty Simcox, the “goody-goody” cheerleader) and Scot Patrick Allan (Eugene, the school Nerd) round out the rest of the cast.
I also want to give a bravo to designer Derek McLane who figured out how to transform a heap into a T-Bird for the “Greased Lightnin” number—sensational!
Grease
Broadway in Chicago series
The Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University
Tickets: 312-902-1400
or www.BroadwayInChicago.com
Closes: Jan. 18
Alan Bresloff writes about theater in the Chicago area.
