Sunday, April 29, 2012
By STEPHANIE OTTEY
NEW CASTLE, PA.
Spring days are turning into “Summer Nights” this weekend and next as the New Castle Playhouse presents ‘Grease!’
The students of Rydell High are preparing for prom and graduation in the ever-popular musical co-created by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. “Grease!” debuted on Broadway in 1972, was adapted into a movie musical starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in 1978, and has remained an audience favorite ever since.
Now, in the hands of director Brent Rodgers, Danny, Sandy, Rizzo, and all of their friends fall in and out of love again in New Castle.
The show full of familiar characters is fleshed out by actors who are equally recognizable as prior performers on the New Castle stage. “Grease!” is practically a “Rent” reunion, featuring about 10 actors who also took part in the 2011 musical. This makes for a cast of performers that is clearly comfortable on stage together, having fun, letting the audience have fun as well.
Helen Marie Gould starts things with some well-executed comedic schtick as the rule-enforcing Miss Lynch.
Gould, who designed costumes for “Rent,” displays a knack for comedy as she earns laughs before the lights go up.
Mark McConnell plays “mooner” Roger, Matthew Schomer returns to the New Castle Stage to play Danny, Magdalyn Gould is a charming and quirky Frenchy, and Whitney Ann Jenkins puts a mature spin on Marty.
Constance Eileen Rodgers is a delightfully funny Jan, making the most of some edible props and creating a nice chemistry with counterpart McConnell.
Shawn E. Lockaton shines vocally, singing “Those Magic Changes” as Doody.
After his performance as Angel in ‘Rent’ it’s hard to recognize Justin R. Anderson as the rough Kenicke in “Grease!” The two roles are drastically different, but Anderson has proven that he can be successful in either part, exposing himself as a dynamic actor.
Kelsey Wilson returns to her hometown of Ellwood City to play the musical’s leading good-girl Sandy. The darling Wilson, who resides in California, brings a bright youthfulness to the stage.
Jesse Pomerico stands out as a very funny Sonny, and Megan Flannery is stellar as Rizzo. Flannery carries the cool-girl attitude of Rizzo gracefully and demands attention with a surprisingly heartfelt rendition of “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”.
The entire large cast of “Grease!” proves to have great vocal talent, but more impressive is their strong collective dance ability.
The choreography designed by Jonelle Paris is an absolute highlight of this production. Paris chooses movement on stage that looks natural yet complex and the cast delivers it flawlessly.
The production could have used some technical polish, however. Actors are occasionally left in dim lighting, and some lead vocal lines are lost due to faulty amplification. Still, these goofs aren’t severe, and “Grease!” remains fun and enjoyable.
“Grease!” runs through May 13 at the New Castle Playhouse located at 202 E. Long Ave. New Castle, Pa. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. For ticket information call 724-654-3437.