Go, greased lightnin’! What absolute fun the Montgomery College performance of the musical classic Grease is!
For those who are familiar with the John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John movie, you will not be disappointed with the high-energy cast, the jukebox of a band, and the kickin’ choreography of this production directed by Ian Anthony Coleman, music directed by Dr. Jay Crowder and choreographed by Melrose Pyne. On stage to watch for: Payton O’Keefe as Danny, Desiree Claggett as Sandra, Hedy Valentine as Rizzo, and most of all, bringing on the heat, charging up the engines, Cameron Franklin sizzling as Danny’s pal and Rizzo’s on-again-off-again boyfriend, Kenickie.
As director Coleman shares in his notes, “Grease is often dismissed as a lighthearted romp, but beneath its candy-colored exterior lies a story of class struggle, teenage rebellion, and the transformative power of Black music in the 1950s.” Coleman and his cast achieve that “something more.” But at its heart, Grease and this production are a timeless romance between two teens, Danny Zuko and Sandra Dee, trying to figure out who they are that still speaks across generations today. And it romps. And, even more so, this production rocks.
From it’s very open, where two of the teachers (Isabella Desando and Michelle Brink) in perfect schoolmarm tones, address their welcome to the class of 1959 and direct us cleverly to shut down our “celluar devices” (this reviewer enjoys when the oft-repeated warning about devices is done cleverly), and the “greasers” blast down the auditorium’s aisle, the tone is set. Romp. Rock. Roll.
And they are off in Act I to rockin’ numbers, including: “Summer Nights” with Sandra and Danny and their high-spirited crews. “Greased Lightin’,” with terrific choreography, is a showpiece for O’Keefe’s Danny and even more for Cameron Franklin’s Kenickie. The comic timing in “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” performed by Valentine’s Rizzo, strikes the right note of teen sarcasm and is played and sung to feisty mean-girl perfection. “We Go Together” performed by all is like Rama, lama, lama/Kadingy, Kading-a-dong… Remember forever…that’s the way it should be…flat out fun.
Act II opens with the high school dance and “Shakin’ at the High School Hop,” and the energy — and the fab costumes, a mix of greaser black leather, skinny ties, duck-tailed hair, poodle skirts, and saddle shoes — does not stop with credit to costume designer Ashlynne Ludwig. In particular, in Act II, look for “Alone at the Drive-in Movie,” a ballad performed with power and sweetness by Danny and his crew, and “There Are Worse Things I Could Do,” another ballad that nails it, showcasing again this performer and her sassy and brassy Rizzo.
If there were a few flat notes, they were few and more about how Grease, first performed in 1971 and harkening back to 1959, feels dated. The role of Vince Fontaine (Alexander Hardman), a local radio DJ, seemed almost anachronistic in our social media age. His between-scene riffs needed more context or cutting as they slowed the production, particularly in Act II. The big last scene reveal of the tough girl Sandra Dee could have taken another beat or two for dramatic effect. Still, Montgomery College student Desiree Claggett pulled off the transformation with professional class — and head-turning black leather.
Ultimately, what never feels dated is first love. These Montgomery College performers all hit greased lightnin’ with this production of Grease.
Running Time: Two and a half hours, with one 15-minute intermission.
Grease plays through March 2, 2025, presented by the Montgomery College Performing Arts Series at the Robert E. Parilla Performing Arts Center, Montgomery College – Rockville Campus, 51 Mannakee Street, Rockville, MD. Purchase tickets ($5–$10) online.
COVID safety: Masks optional.
Grease
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Directed by Ian Anthony Coleman
Music Direction by Dr. Jay Crowder
Choreography by Melrose Pyne
