[NEohioPAL] Review of "Grease" at the CVLT

[Bob Abelman]

CVLT's 'Grease' is the one that you want

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review appeared in the News-Herald 7/31/09

 

We go together like rama lama lama, ka-dinga da-dinga dong.

 

Remembered forever like shoo bop shoo wadda wadda yipitty boom de-boom.

 

No, those lyrics are not by Sondheim.  And they do not accompany dialogue by Shakespeare spoken by characters conceived by Edward Albee reflecting the socio-political consciousness of Dostoevsky.

 

They are from Grease, a dirigible of a musical comedy by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey with little poetry, no complexity and nary a shred of social commentary.

 

What it has in excess, however, is youthful exuberance, playfulness, and romanticized nostalgia aimed at spoofing life in high school in the late-1950s.   This was a time when childhood wasn't truncated and teens acted like adolescents.

 

Expecting more than a good time from a show with these lyrics set in this timeframe is an exercise in futility.

  

Grease began in Chicago in 1971 and, like the Broadway production that opened the following year, offered a low-frills staging filled with highly energetic and talented young unknowns.  Vintage teen spirit sustained this show for over seven years on the New York stage.

 

Unfortunately, every subsequent professional incarnation-a sanitized 1978 film, a celebrity-infused 1994 Broadway revival, and a 2007 pageant-like stage production where the winners of a reality TV program were cast as the leads-has become glitzier and less mindful of its intended pre-Vietnam and pre-Watergate naiveté.  Over the years, Grease lost its innocence and, in turn, lost some of its heart.

 

The production currently on stage at the Chagrin Valley Little Theater captures the energy and innocence of the original and, despite some shortcomings, has plenty of heart. 

 

Director-choreographer Pamela LaForce has put together a very playful, vibrant show.  She has found a core of talented community players with voices built for 1950's do-wop and the skills required to execute her very entertaining, era-accurate dance steps.

 

LaForce is more choreographer than director, for greater attention appears to have been paid to the coordination of the big production numbers than to the staging of the action between them.  While the musical numbers explode with LaForce's life force, much of the exposition lacks activity and refinement.  This exposes some rather amateur acting performances, which calls attention to the fact that few in this cast are actually teenagers.   

Interestingly, it is in these musical numbers that individual acting choices by featured performers become clear and crystallized.

The talented Steve Tiderman, as the head greaser Danny, reveals angst and becomes less of a caricature in his solo "Alone at a Drive-In Movie."  Greta Rothman, as the tough-talking Rizzo, exposes her character's soft underbelly in a magnificent "There are Worse Things I Could Do."  Katelyn Vogias, as the innocent new-comer Sandy, does not come across as such until "It's Raining on Prom Night."  This is a lovely duet performed with Atlie Gilbert, whose Frenchie would be absolutely adorable if she shed the unnecessary character-voice.  

Standout supporting players who appear to be particularly comfortable in their character's sneakers include Jon Gellott as Kenickie, Brandon Hood as Roger, Scott Zolkowski as Doody, and Alex LaForce-Marzullo as Marty.  Hood's "Mooning" number is a show-stopper.

Much of this production's teen spirit is generated by the four young women who anchor the ensemble.  Sarah Gajewski (who also does a marvelous job as Cha Cha), Kelly Aker, Brie Arko and Kourtney Jones are wonderful, as is the four-piece band under the direction of David Markle.

Edmond Wolff's set pieces and lighting design facilitate the storytelling but, frankly, lack musical comedy sensibilities.  This show romanticizes the 1950s, yet not enough creative initiative is taken to complement this mindset with production values.  

 

The title song from the film suggests that "Grease is the word."  According to the finale of the CVLT's more playful stage production, the word is: "Chang chang changity chang shoo bop."  That's the way it should be.  Wah-ooo.  Yeah.  



"Grease" continues through August 22 at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, 56 River Street, Chagrin Falls.  For tickets, which range from $12 to $16, call 440-247-8955 or visit  www.cvlt.org.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.neohiopal.org/pipermail/neohiopal-neohiopal.org/attachments/20090731/42cace3e/attachment-0003.htm>