Photo by Jeri Tidwell Photography
“Grease” with Book, Music and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, Directed and Choreographed by Mark Minnick, and Artistic Director, Toby Orenstein is presently rocking at Toby’s Dinner Theatre in Columbia, MD. “Grease” which debuted in 1971 is named for the late ’50s through early ’60s high schoolers, often from tough working-class families, who were rebellious and the antithesis of the “hippie” culture of the later ’60s and early ’70s Greasers were the males who wore various greasy hair products to make them look more like gangsters whether they were or were not.
It opened in Chicago, moved to off-Broadway in 1971 and then moved to Broadway in 1972. Many famous Broadway, television and screen actors were cast in the top roles, including Barry Bostwick, Adrienne Barbeau, Tim Conaway, Marilu Henner, Patrick Swayze, Treat Williams and Richard Gere. For many of us, the only version remembered is the film with Travolta, Conaway, Olivia Newton-John and Stockard Channing.
The show’s Rydell High is based on a real school in Chicago. Sandy (Nicki Elledge) is a sheltered girl from a Catholic High School and now a new student at Rydell High. She is already smitten with Danny (Matt Hirsh), a greaser and part of a gang. Sandy meets up with the Pink Ladies, the counterpart to the Burger Palace Boys (Danny’s gang). The plot is predictable. The lovebirds are kept apart by their backgrounds (good girl vs. bad boy). Sandy turns her back on her past to conform to the Pink Ladies. Love conquers all. There are some small subplots, but again, their outcomes are easy to guess.
The story deals with mature topics like teen pregnancy, peer pressure and gang violence, but is fairly tame by today’s standards. However, issues like acceptance, first love and friendship are universal and still exist, and that is what keeps the show from being dated. The rock songs were very different than most traditional Broadway musicals at the time (“Hair” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” are two exceptions.), and many are recognizable by anyone over 35, well maybe 40. Even for younger audiences the beats and lyrics remain catchy and memorable.
“Grease” glides effortlessly across Toby’s stage and will be the one show you will want to see this summer.
Minnick’s direction and choreography guide this large cast effortless across a relatively small stage. “Grease” is really an ensemble production. Although there are lead actors, the song “We Go Together” reflects this unity. The director’s vision captures that cultural era and helps us remember that kids haven’t changed all that much.
Elledge and Hirsh are superb as Sandy Dumbrowski and Danny Zuko. Their introductory song “Summer Nights” communicating to their friends very different versions about their summer romance, is bouncy and humorous. Hirsh hits the mark when he plaintively sings out “Alone at the Drive-In.” Elledge does not miss with the one real love song, a big hit for Olivia Newton-John, “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” They both shine along with the great Ensemble as they tell each other, “You’re the One That I Want.”
Maggie Dransfield plays the tough as nails, Betty Rizzo. Rizzo’s torch-like song, “There are Worse Things I Could Do” is a different pace than the other numbers, but Dransfield’s rendition is strong and biting.
Kalen Robinson and Justin Calhoun as Jan and Roger bring a lot of laughter and great chemistry to the doo-wop song, “Mooning” which is just what you think it is about.
In a cute take-off of that era’s female vocalists, Nia Savoy is a standout as Marty in “Freddy, My Love.” (For all you folks who can remember the 1950s-yes, there was a song called, “Eddie, My Love. This is a parody of that genre.)
Opening Act II is the wonderful DeCarlo Raspberry, recent Helen Hayes winner for his role in Toby’s “The Little Mermaid.” He had us all clapping along with his wonderful rendition of “Born to Hand-Jive.”
Again, there is a lot of wit in many of the songs. Crystal Freeman brings a little bit of Dinah Washington as Teen Angel with the soulful number, “Beauty School Drop Out,” along with the delightful Allie O’Donnell as Frenchie. (Freeman also plays Miss Lynch, the kid’s teacher.)
Paul Roeckell masterfully leads the group as Kenickie in the other well-known tune, “Greased Lightnin’” complete with a “real” 1950’s Chevy.
The whole cast is spectacular and includes Louisa Tringali as Patty Simcox and Shiloh Orr as Eugene Florczyk, the two school nerds. Joey Ellinghaus is the always vulgar and funny Sonny LaTierri. Vince Fontaine, the lecherous local disc jockey, is artfully played by Jeffrey Shankle. Rachel Kemp sexily portrays the red-hot Cha-Cha DiGregorio.
The wonderful Ensemble includes Brandon Bedore, MaryKate Brouillet, Kourtney Richards and AJ Whittenberger.
The Musical Direction under Ross Scott Rawlings is flawless, the orchestra matching the rock and roll beat of the time.
David A. Hopkins creates a marvelously flexible set which includes a functional car. Lynn Joslin’s Lighting Design and Mark Smedley’s Sound Design do a great deal to enhance the production. Janine Sunday’s Costume Design helps brighten the set with an array of colors and swishing skirts.
“Grease” glides effortlessly across Toby’s stage and will be the one show you will want to see this summer.
Advisory: Due to language and subject matter, this production may not be appropriate to some young children.
Running Time: Two hours and 15 minutes with an intermission.
“Grease” will be playing at Toby’s Dinner Theatre, 5900 Symphony Woods Road, Columbia MD 21044 until July 28, 2019. Tickets are available online or by calling the box office at 410-730-8311.
