EASY READER
Redondo Beach, California

THEATER REVIEW
Grease
By DEANNE ALISA ABLESER
EASY READER

It’s not easy to live up to a legend…especially when one of the legend’s creators, Jim Jacobs, is sitting right in the front row. Well, as usual for the CLOSBC, they step right up to the plate and deliver a home run with their production of Grease.

Grease takes us back to the fun and fantastic fifties as we join good ‘ole Rydell High School students in the trials and tribulations of being a teenager. There’s the classic love story, the mean teacher, the athletes, the outcasts, the rebel rousers, and even a teen angel. Nothing is taken too seriously in Grease. Just when you think things are about to get too “heavy,” something crazy is tossed into the grind to bring the lightheartedness back. Of course, in classic musical theater fashion, everything turns out just hunky-dory by the end of the piece.

Grease has its share of highly memorable songs, with crowd favorites being “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “You’re the One that I Want.”

The show is quite the ensemble piece, but standouts definitely exist. Brandon Alameda as Doody, William Akey as Roger, Mindy Reid as Jan, and Melissa Fahn as Marty simply do not miss a beat in their marked portrayals. Of course, David Engel as Vince Fontaine/Teen Angel shines once more. Even though his time on stage is minimal, he blows away the audience with his rendition of “Beauty School Dropout”… complete with white suit, sparkling shoes, and glistening hair.

Another standout in the piece is the choreography by Lee Martino. The performers knock out number after number with energy, clarity, and connection… leaving the audience clamoring to get up on stage and dance with them.

Costumes (Thomas G. Marquez), lights (Leigh Allen), scenic design (Christopher Beyries), direction (Randy Brenner), and musical direction (Thomas Griep) all come together flawlessly to make Grease a highly enjoyable production.

Grease plays through Sunday, February 27 in the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd. at Aviation Blvd. Daily except Monday, with weekend matinees. Tickets, $37.50 to $52.50. Call 372-4477. ER