“Grease” is a Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster of High-Spirited Fun at STAGES  until Aug.18

by Pat Lindsey

A ticket to see “Grease” at STAGES is the ticket for a perfect summer night! From the moment the day’s announcements are read by Miss Lynch over the school’s intercom, “Grease” transports the audience back to 1959 and conjures up memories of the trials and tribulations of being a teen. It’s adolescent angst and high-spirited fun.

The STAGES production of “Grease” has a multi-talented cast of stars and each one gets an opportunity to shine. As the company, they act, sing, and dance. Each one is the entire package.

Romances abound at Rydell High, but the central storyline begins when Sandy Dumbrowski (Summerisa Bell Stevens) and Danny Zuko (Sam Harvey) have to end their summer romance at the beach and go back to high school. Sandy and Danny assume they are going to be attending different schools, but plans change and, lo and behold, they are reunited at Rydell High. They’re excited to see one another, but as fast as greased lightning, the sweet guy who Sandy knew at the beach becomes a real jerk.

Danny (left photo) has a tough reputation to uphold and he doesn’t want lose face with his friends, the Burger Palace Boys. Not understanding this, Sandy is put-off by Danny’s demeanor and starts searching for new friends at Rydell. Sandy meets the Pink Ladies and tries to be friends with them, but it takes her most of her senior year to figure out how to fit in with the cool kids while remaining true to herself.   Meanwhile, Danny is still hopelessly in love with Sandy and tries various ways to win her back.

There are many standout performances in this show, but Sandy (Stevens) and Danny (Harvey) create the chemistry for which “Grease” is famous when they deliver two memorable duets in “Summer Nights” and “You’re the One That I Want.” The comedic crowd favorite is Miss Lynch, the English teacher, played by Kendra Lynn Lucas. She is a born performer who enjoys controlling her audience.

Frankie Avalon isn’t missed at all when Lucas plays the role of Angel in the big production number, “Beauty School Dropout.” The audience also went wild for Doody’s (Patrick Mobley ) comic bit as he sang, “Those Magic Changes.” Marty (Julia Johanas) wowed the crowd with her beautiful vocals when she sang, “Freddie My Love.” And Kenickie (Jesse Corbin) earned thunderous applause after he sang, “Greased Lightning.” The bad girl, Betty Rizzo (Morgan Cowling), is in a class of her own. She has a cool, tough exterior, but deep down she craves love and affection. She gives us a glimpse of the emotional Rizzo when she sings, “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.”

“Grease” is an ideal production for an ensemble cast and tailor-made for the smaller stage. The creative team, directed by Michael Hamilton, has successfully packaged the essence of 1950s youth, rock ‘n’ roll, and the nostalgia of a more simple time into a beautiful gift for the STAGES audiences to enjoy now through Aug. 18 at the Robert G. Reim Theatre. For tickets, call 314-821-2407 or visit www.StagesStLouis.org.

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