Reviewed by Richard Lane
October 2013
Grease, by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey set in 1959 is a rock and roll stage musical based on the experiences of Jacobs at High School. It has undergone numerous revivals and this production by the Met does not shy away from the social issues introduced into the original raunchy piece. These issues included sexual experimentation, adolescent pregnancy, gang warfare and disobedience.
There are some thirty odd cast members most of whom are youngsters who act, sing and dance at the greatest level of energy imaginable.
Director Amanda Rowe has gathered a team of wonderful young performers and melded them into an amazing ensemble. With the superb,complex, sexy and dynamic choreography of Carmel Vistoli and the musicianship of Gordon Combes, this show is a stunning success.
The costumes by Ms Vistoli and Leonie Osborn are accurate for the “bobbysox” period, Michael Whitmee’s lighting plot is excellent and and the mobile sets work smoothly, changed effortlessly by the cast.
The ensemble’s singing and dancing is a treat, and the solo numbers are tackled with great confidence and flare by the principals.
As Danny Zuko, Buddy Dawson gives a stellar performance, Emily Schwab shone as the “homey” Sandy Dumbrowski and her rendition of “Hopelessly Devoted To You” convinced us of her love for Danny
With such a large, clever cast it is difficult to select a standout but Tegan Gully whose dancing was pinpoint accurate and her singing brassy yet well-pitched gave a bravura performance . Her two numbers, “Look At Me I’m Sandra Dee,” and “There are Worse Things I could Do” were beautifully sung.
The finale which the audience had all been waiting for,“You’re The One That I want” set in the brilliantly lit Burger Palace, didn’t disappoint, and the audience went home knowing that Sandy and Danny were back together again.
