Grease:A production that brings punch and character to stereotypical individuals

 

Grease:  Book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey

Orpheus Musical Theatre Society

Directed by Chantale Plante

For some, Grease is all about nostalgia for the 50s and yearning for a simpler time. But, was it really simpler or were expectations, social roles and rules simply different?

While it’s fun to recall some of the memories of the rock ‘n roll era — DA and beehive hairdos, hand jiving, huge cars with wings, even small portable record players or bobby socks — the main “Put out to get your man” message of the 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey has always been offensive to me. The secondary message that cool guys must appear nonchalant and uncaring, while cool gals are expected to flaunt their physical attributes, smoke and fool around is also difficult to swallow in 2018, as is the bullying and nasty behaviour to the kids classed as nerds.

 

Given the current societal climate, Grease poses a number of issues in terms of promoting outdated social attitudes. But, this aside, the show offers opportunities for a large number of young performers to strut their stuff, which is likely why it was selected for the Orpheus season.

 

However, the story of the summer romance of good girl Sandy and bad boy Danny and their on/off relationship when they are back in school has never been particularly appealing to me on stage — even when Richard Gere starred in the West End production — and certainly not as the Olivia Newton-John/John Travolta movie.

 

However, the highly energetic and gritty production from Orpheus Musical Theatre Society brings punch to mediocre material and almost gives the stereotypical characters reality.

 

As directed by Chantale Plante, with musical direction by Ruth Kwan, this production moves like greased lightning (unlike the rust bucket that Kenickie drives on to the stage.) Highlighted by Derek Eyamie’s terrific choreography and the very disciplined execution of the dance numbers by the well-chosen cast, movement, musical quality and smooth set changes are more important than the rumbles and other encounters among the rough kids at Rydell High.

 

Led by Andy Allen McCarthy as Danny, all four principals make it clear that the rites of passage in Grease are as much about determining future identity as they are about pairing up, fast cars and looking cool to one’s peers. As Sandy, Tanya Guimond changes her look and attitude as drastically as the script requires. Nicole Tishler and Connor McMahon bring as much reality to their characters as the sketchy material allows. In addition, Gaelyn Skye Klein has a lot of fun as Frenchy, the beauty school dropout, and Bernadette Bêlanger dances up a storm as Cha-Cha.

 

The Orpheus production of Grease continues at Centrepointe Theatre to March 18.

 

Director: Chantale Plante

Musical director: Ruth Kwan

Choreographer: Derek Eyamie

Set: Sally McIntyre

Lighting: Rob Puchyr

Sound: John Cybanski

Costumes: Patricia Murray

 

Cast:

Sandy…………………………………………………………….Tanya Guimond

Rizzo……………………………………………………………. Nicole Tishler

Frenchy………………………………………………………….. Gaelyn Skye Klein

Marty……………………………………………………………..Samantha DeBenedet

Jan……………………………………………………………….. Sarah Cousineau

Patty……………………………………………………………….Tate Holm

Cha-Cha………………………………………………………….. Bernadette Belanger

Ms. Lynch………………………………………………………… Lesley Moll

Danny……………………………………………………………. Andy Allen-McCarthy

Kenickie…………………………………………………………. Connor McMahon

Doody……………………………………………………………. Pierre Sirois

Sonny…………………………………………………………….. Jason Sedlar

Roger…………………………………………………………….. Jamie Rice

Eugen…………………………………………………………….. Evan Huus

Vince/Teen Angel……………………………………………….. Paul Melsness

Johnny Casino…………………………………………………… Calvin McKee

 

Ensemble: Meaghan Chapin, Melanie Evans, Katie Honshorst, Owen Klutchert, Brandon Nguyen Chris O’Gorman, Nolla Timmins.

 

Orchestra

Conductor………………………………………………………………Ruth Kwan

Piano……………………………………………………………………..Cheryl Jarvis Woods

Saxophone……………………………………………………………..Peter Gemmel, Jarrod Goldsmith

Guitar…………………………………………………………………….Pete Forêt, Joe Turner

Drums……………………………………………………………………Brydone Charlton

Bass………………………………………………………………………Gabe Leury