Review by Lynn Jackson
Adelaide – Her Majesty’s Theatre
Grease the Musical is one of those shows that every musical theatre fan has either performed, either in full or by performing one of the many many bangers in the soundtrack. It’s also one of those shows where the movie has become so indelible in the minds of the audience that the performers have to straddle the line between new interpretations and staying consistent to the well-loved characters that audiences are expecting to see. This new production, directed by Luke Joslin, achieves that, breathing new life and a great deal of fun into this classic musical. After performances in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth over the past months, Grease the Musical is fabulously fresh, and now taking over the stage at Her Majesty’s Theatre until the 26th of October.
The musical centres on the Rydell High School class of 1959, where the school is ruled by the leather clad T Birds, and their (equally tough in this production) girl gang, the Pink Ladies. As they begin their senior year, the plot focuses on the summer romance of Danny Zuko (Fabian Andrés) and recent transfer student, Sandy Dumbrowski (Annelise Hall) – who is played as Australian in this production, despite this change being added to accommodate Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 movie. Newton-John’s wide eyed interpretation was clearly an influence in Hall’s performance but she held her own in presenting Sandy, showing her frustration and her challenges as she adapts to the new school and its expectations. Her rendition of “Hopelessly Devoted to You” was sublime, with a nuance all of her own, presenting Sandy’s dilemma about being madly in love, yet let down by Danny’s macho behaviour. Andrés, as Danny, was faultless as her foil, presenting the conflict between the tough façade of the T Birds and his true nature.
This production is a spectacle with a large cast of energetic performers who bring this classic to life. The opening performance of “Summer Lovin’” had the audience bopping from the beginning right to the show stopping finale of “We Go Together”. Designer, James Browne has created a palette of bright, saturated and contrasting colours and patterns, that fill his modular and geometric stage design with the vitality and pep of teenage enthusiasm. Choreographer, Eric Giancola has created many full cast numbers which are executed with individual flair by each of the performers, resulting in a show that re-energises the well known tunes. A highlight occurs at the school dance, where the Hand Jive dance competition is performed by the full cast, with some amazing dance performances occurring wild characters shift in and out of plot moments.
The strength of this production absolutely shows the importance of all the supporting characters in this world of high school social conventions. The always-concerning gender constructs within this production have to be carefully managed to present them with charm, and this cast achieved that balance. Mackenzie Dunn as tough-girl Rizzo controls the stage, balancing the comedic “Look At Me” with her showstopping ballad “There are Worse Things I Could Do” in the final act, used as an effective catalyst to Sandy’s final makeover in this production. Her pairing with Keanu Gonzalez as Kenickie feels genuine as these two characters are suggested to find companionship past the facade of their fiercely independent gang-leader personas. Gonzalez’s charismatic performance of the classic “Greased Lightning” evoked audience cheers with its spot-on vocals and dynamic choreography. The young women of the Pink Ladies (Cathy Hamilton as Frenchy, Katelin Koprivec as Jan and Rose Shannon-Duhigg as Marty) were also standouts providing these characters with fresh and sexy dynamics while also adding the comedic relief. Hamilton, presenting Frenchy’s beauty school subplot, was able to create a sympathetic character while still enjoying the moments of physical comedy that this character provides. Costuming the Pink Ladies in pink leather, rather than the expected satin jackets, meant these characters felt fresh and updated and gave the boys of the T birds as good as they got.
As Box Office draws, the three established performers of Jai Laga’aia as celebrity DJ Vince Fontaine, Patty Newton as Miss Lynch and Paulini as the Teen Angel prove their worth. Laga’aia, resplendently clad in a zebra print jacket, owns the stage and the reception to cultural icon Newton demonstrated how much Australia adores her. Her performance as the somewhat prissy school principal presented an effective contrast to the carefree and rebellious students at Rydell High. Paulini, as the Teen Angel, breathtakingly costumed in pure white satin and sparkles, demonstrated why she is considered to have one of the most spectacular voices in Australia in “Beauty School Dropout”, presenting the character as a magnificent diva, fawned over by the ensemble in a dreamlike haze. The return and celebration of this star power performers in the curtain call demonstrated the ability to command the spotlight with charisma and magnetism.
Performed to a packed house on opening night, this production received a well-deserved standing ovation. It’s one of those shows that you go to with your friends, in your leather jacket or your pink poodle skirt, expecting a fun time – and that’s definitely what you’ll get! This cast matched the audience’s expectant energy with a sassy, sexy and powerful performance that left the house cheering and dancing until curtain fall. As the audience exited to a rainy spring night in Adelaide, the buzz was clear – this show is a hit!
Grease The Musical is now playing at Her Majesty’s Theatre in Adelaide. For more details: https://greasemusical.com.au/
Photo credit: Naomi Jellicoe
