Lansing State Journal

Theater review: 'Grease'

Robin Miner-Swartz
rswartz@lsj.com

Bad economy got you down? Holiday shopping stressing you out? Family driving you nuts?

Then buy a ticket to see "Grease" this week at the Wharton Center, and you'll feel all the stress and sadness melt away.

OK, that might be overstating it, but I happily found that to be the case Tuesday night as the quintessential 1950s-era musical (born in 1972) unfolded onstage. Somehow, a show legions of fans know inside and out, forwards and backwards and upside-down can still hold a crowd's attention and get them smiling, even in the face of today's tough times.

And maybe that's why it's so easy to appreciate "Grease" now.

You know the story: Sandy (Emily Padgett) and Danny (Eric Schneider) met at the beach over the summer and, on the first day of school at Rydell High, are surprised to discover they're both attending the same school. Danny tries to remain tough in front of the T-Birds and blows Sandy off. The Pink Ladies swoop in to ridicule/help Sandy. Boys chase girls, girls chase boys. Much singing ensues.

The real delight in this particular production of "Grease" is the quality of the voices. The supporting players in particular really "bring it," with fun numbers including "Those Magic Changes," led by Doody (Brian Crum), "Freddy, My Love," crooned by Marty (Kelly Felthous) and "It's Raining on Prom Night," featuring Jan (Bridie Carroll).

And the show found a real star in Schneider as Danny Zuko. The actor, who made his Broadway debut in "Jersey Boys," has terrific, swaggery stage presence and a voice to match.

Padgett's Sandy isn't quite as engaging. She starts out strong on "Summer Nights" but gets a little lost in the shuffle of the show. She does come back strong with the reprise of "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee" late in the show.

Oh, yes, and then there's Taylor Hicks, the winner of the fifth season of "American Idol." The blues-influenced singer has a brief appearance as the Teen Angel who sings "Beauty School Dropout" to Frenchy (Kate Morgan Chadwick, adorable). It's a fun little cameo, and the only time I can recall hearing a harmonica in any production of "Grease."

Devoted fans of the 1978 John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John movie will notice the songs are in a different order in the stage version, but they actually work better in this configuration, even allowing Sandy to have a bit more of a backbone than she does on film.

"Grease" is a short show on its own, so the production is fleshed out with a bit before the show with disc jockey Vince Fontaine (Dominic Fortuna) entertaining the audience - expect to sing along and, if the spirit moves you, dance along - as well as a lengthy intermission and a "greatest hits" reprise at the curtain call.

If you've been saying to yourself, "I've seen 'Grease' a hundred times, so I could probably skip this one," do yourself a favor and check it out. This is a slick, professional production with great voices, fun sets and an old-fashioned good time. This isn't a show to be scrutinized - it's a show to simply be enjoyed.

Additional Facts
Still the word
» The show: "Grease"

» The venue: MSU's Wharton Center

» The performances: 7:30 p.m. today, 8 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sunday

» The tickets: $25-$60 at 432-2000 or www.whartoncenter.com

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