Grease is the word.

[chimpy24]

I saw Grease Friday night along with some people who I haven't seen in forever. Grease was entertaining. It was happy and fun and fluffy..everything Grease should be, but that's it. Not much to take away. Greased Lightening was the best choreographed number in the show...paying homage to the movie etc but still being unique and fresh. "Shakin at the high school hop" into Hand Jive was fun and had it's moments but overall it was just too similar to the movie for me. I was hoping for something new but it was stuff Ive seen in every production of Grease. I have always loved the non popular songs from the show (Magic Changes, Mooning, Freddy My Love, Raining on Prom Night) and I enjoyed these the most. They've always been my favorites. I LOVED Magic Changes and how it morphed into a fantasy type sequence. oh god, the guy who played Roger sang the CRAP out of Mooning. AMAZING. The supporting cast are the true standouts. Robyn Hurder and Kirsten Wyatt are perfection in their roles. And some of those ensemble boys are quite, quite nice to look at and can dance their asses off. The two added songs (Grease is the word, hopelessly devoted) were great...but i HATED the orchestrations for "youre the one that I want". I wanted it to sound like the movie, but it didn't. Speaking of orchestrations, why why why did they do the family friendly Grease Lightening lyrics? Saldivar can say "You know that aint no shit, we'll be getting lots of tit" but can't do the other verses as originally written? Grr! I did like the idea of placing the band up top though. My only other comments on casting would be that Alison Fischer and Jamison Scott (who was freaking ADORABLE as Eugene - was he Fender in Vegas Spray? bc we all know my thing for Fenders) looked like a high schoolers where some of the other cast members looked soooo much older. Also, Vince Fontaine = crazy Ian from High Fidelity and every time he opened his mouth I hear him doing that crazy yell thing from the beginning of his song in Hi Fi. Oy. Same goes with Steve Buntrock as Teen Angel. Gaston was singing "beauty school dropout"

Now I guess I should say a word or two about Max and Laura, huh? Laura was great and Sandy is not the best written role. Really enjoyed her. Rooted for her to win the show and she didn't disappoint. Girl can sing. Max was fine..nothing spectacular, but I give Kathleen Marshall credit for getting him to move as well as he does in the dance numbers.

Overall enjoyable and a fun night..but that's it. Glad I saw it...but never thought I'd come back with thoughts this long!