[NEohioPAL]Berko review: GREASE @ Cain Park and some previews

[Roy Berko]

‘GREASE” GREASELESS AT CAIN PARK

Roy Berko

(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)

--THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS--

Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times	


‘GREASE,’ the stage musical, opened in 1972.  It was
an instant hit with a 1950s rock n' roll  score and a
hokey story about greaser high school kids finding
friendship ("rama lama lama") and romance ("ka dingy
dee ding dong!").  The show ran 3,388 performances
which set a new record as Broadway's longest running
show.  This distinction it  held until ‘A CHORUS LINE’
surpassed it in the 1980s.

The 1978 screen version became the highest-grossing
musical in Hollywood history. A 1994 Broadway revival
ran for 1,503 performances.   A favorite with
community theatres and school groups, the show remains
one of the most popular musicals of all time.
	
Interestingly, ‘GREASE’ was the only successful
theatrical project by co-creators Jim Jacobs and
Warren Casey.  
	
So, what’s all the excitement about?  Picture the
scene...it’s 1959...the time of poodle skirts, pony
tails, white t-shirts with the sleeves rolled up and a
pack of cigarettes mounted inside, d-a haircuts,
slicked-back hair, souped up cars with fuzzy dice
hanging from the rear view mirrors and class rings
with angora wrapped around the shanks.  It’s the time
when schools were populated by greasers,
goody-two-shoes, jocks and nerds.
	
Unfortunately, the Cain Park production, under the
direction of Eric van Baars misses much of the era. 
The costumes aren’t era correct, the hairstyles aren’t
era correct, and the dance moves aren’t era correct. 
But the major problem is that the characterizations
aren’t era correct.
	
In order for ‘GREASE’ to be the classical musical that
represents the 50s, the cast must not be playing at
being greasers, nerds and goodie-two-shoes, they must
be greasers, nerds and goodie-two-shoes.   Don’t blame
the generally talented cast for their foibles.  They
are clean-scrubbed suburban 2004 kids.  They needed to
be told about the era so they could emulate it. 
That’s the responsibility of the director.  And,
obviously, van Baars didn’t help them out by being
their guide to the past.
	
There are some good individual presentations.  Kenny
Lear sings the role of Roger well.  Chris Thomas gives
a polished singing performance as Teen Angel.  His
falsetto ending to the song brought down the house. 
Meg Cavanaugh sings the role of Rizzo effectively, but
fails to develop the hard-edge needed for the school
tramp.   Paul Harris, portraying Doody, is a great
dancer but only a mediocre singer.
	
In the major roles, Keith Faris, who has a nice
singing voice, appears too old for the role of Danny. 
His nice-guy good looks don’t translate into the
smoldering sensuality needed for the role.   Michelle
Scully makes a pretty Sandy, but, as with the rest of
the cast, misses developing a clear characterization. 
 Alex Puette and Khalida Sims display a lack of
understanding of the pivotal roles of Eugene, the nerd
and Patty Miss school spirit.  

CAPSULE JUDGEMENT:   ‘GREASE’ at Cain Park is a major
disappointment.  Don’t go expecting the excitement of
the movie, or getting a true vision of the ‘50s.  Too
bad.  Eric van Baars had the opportunity to create a
fun and flashback evening, but didn’t achieve the
task.  On the other hand, if you just want to scream
praise for a bunch of kids who try hard, you might
like the production.

‘GREASE’ runs through July 3 at the Evans Theatre in
Cain Park.  For tickets call 216 371-3000.


UPCOMING SUMMER TREATS

‘ANYTHING GOES’—CAROUSEL DINNER THEATRE, JULY 7-AUGUST
29.    Directed by Victoria Bussert and choreographed
by Janiece Kelly-Kitley.  For tickets call
800-724-4100 or go on line to
www.CarouselDinnertheatre.com.

‘OLIVER’—PALACE THEATRE IN PLAYHOUSE SQUARE, JULY
27-AUGUST 8.  The hit musical based on the Dicken’s
novel stops in Cleveland on its way to a revival run
in New York.  A MUST SEE!    Call 216-241-6000 or
800-766-6048 or go to ticket outlets at TOPS
Supermarkets.

‘HOT ‘N’ THROBBING’—CONVERGENCE-CONTINUUM, THE LIMINIS
THEATRE, JUNE 8-JULY 17.  This small store-front
theatre has been presenting some of the most
innovative and creative productions in the area. 
Worth a go/see.  For tickets call 216-687-0074.

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA—ALLEN THEATRE IN PLAYHOUSE
SQUARE, OCTOBER 6-NOVEMBER 7.  Yes, audience pleasing
musical returns once again to the local scene.  Hear
the glorious music of the night once again.  Probably
the last time you’ll be able to see a professional
production of this show. Call 216-241-6000 or
800-766-6048 or go to ticket outlets at TOPS
Supermarkets.

STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE—PORTHOUSE THEATRE, JULY 1-17. 
Tennessee Williams’ steamy hotbed drama.  Think you
can act?  A before curtain contest will be held
nightly for would be Stanley’s displaying their
abilities to call, “Stella.”  (A sound almost as
famous as Carol Burnett’s Tarzan yell.)  Call
800-304-2363.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW—GREAT LAKES THEATRE FESTIVAL,
July 16-August 21; THE COMPLEAT WORKS OF WM. SHAKSPR.
(ABRIDGED), July 30-August 22.  Shown in rotating
repertory.  Call 216-241-6000 for information or go on
line to www.greatlakestheater.org.


=====
Roy Berko's web page can be found at royberko.info and many of his theatre and dance reviews appear on artscleveland.net.


		
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