"Grease" at the Diego Rivera Theatre
“Grease” Presented by the City College of San Francisco Theatre Arts & Music Departments at City College’s Diego Rivera Theatre. Directed and choreographed by Deborah Shaw with Musical Direction by Michael Shahani. Final performances: April 23, 24 at 8PM, and April 25, at 2PM.
The Theatre Arts & Music Departments of San Francisco’s City College has done it again: crafted a rousing, delightful, musical theatre classic with its current production of “Grease,” a high-school musical set in the 1950s. Originally a staged musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, with a screenplay by Bronte Woodward, the 1978 film, which starred newcomers John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, though suffering bad reviews, became a sensation and is now considered a classic.
Director and choreographer Deborah Shaw’s talented cast sang , danced, and acted in front of a simple backdrop of pastel squares partially open to reveal Michael Shahani’s hot, be-boppin’ orchestra consisting of sax, guitar, bass guitar, drums, and piano. The simple adjustable sets: dressing room, cars, soda fountain, cafeteria, Rydell High School steps, were designed by Patrick Toebe.
Gary Richmond plays Danny Zuko, the part made famous by John Travolta. Jenny Veilleux is Sandy Dumbroski (Olivia Newton-John in the film). Betty Rizzo (an excellent, salty Megan Dueck) and her catty side-kicks, the “Pink Ladies,” outfitted in pink satin bomber jackets, are : Frenchy, Marty, and Jan, played by Miquela Sierra, Geneva Holloman, and Jessica Sijan, respectively. Frenchy has the high aspiration to go to beauty school; she drops out of school, but doesn’t make it there, either. In a bright pink wig, she pines for an angel to make everything right. Voila! a Teen Angel (a charismatic Omar Hasrouni), in a white and gold tux, and spectacularly attired Angels appear and sing the hilarious, “Beauty School Dropout.” (Spot-on costumes by Susan Linneman and Jose Leiva.)
Zuko and his bad-boy buddies, the “T-Birds” with slicked-back hair, are appropriately garbed in black leather jackets, T-shirts and jeans. The T-Birds are into petty crimes like stealing hub-caps to sell. Outstanding in the role of T-Bird doofus, Doody, is Isaac Dana, who, in a sparkly silver, sequined jacket, Buddy Holly specs, rocks with guitar and strong vocal, a la Elvis, in “Those Magic Changes.” Also great are Daniel Alper as Kenickie in “Greased Lightnin’,” Doody and Roger (Dana and Aaron Ota) singing and dancing to “Rock’N’ Roll Party Queen.” The kids spoof 1950s’ popular icons like Sandra Dee, Doris Day, Elvis Pressley, and Pat Boone.
Act Two opens with the entire company executing “Shakin’at the High School Hop.” We, in the audience, could hardly stay in our seats, especially when Johnny Casino (agile Larry Pascua) backed by the whole company, takes front stage with “Born to Hand-Jive.” Smarmy Vince Fontaine (Ted Speros) the local, popular DJ, MCs the party and dance contest. He inappropriately makes out with Marty, who equally inappropriately, goes along. This wouldn’t happen today without some character stepping in to moralize and condemn. Zuko can’t get a date (Sandy has a cold and Betty is mad at him), so outsider Cha-Cha Di Gregorio fills in. She is played by Natasha Salehi with all the right stereotypical sexy Latina moves and big hair. This is a harbinger for a rumble like in “West Side Story,” which thankfully never happens. The kids ignore the admonitions of Miss Lynch, the principal, brandishing a yard-long ruler. Miss Lynch is played by a sympathetic - yet tough, gorgeous Karyn King. Lynch shows us her stuff as she boogies with the cast at the hop and finale.
During scene changes Director Shaw keeps us amused by cleverly incorporating audio clips of commercials from the era - - voice-overs and jingles about products like Ajax Cleanser (“See the dirt go down the drain!”) and Chevrolet (“See the USA in your Chevrolet!”)
The story is that new girl Sandy had met Zuko over summer vacation; they connected, but went separate ways. Sandy ends up at Rydell where Zuko is king and tough gal Betty is queen. The girls are a clique; they bully Sandy, who is clueless. Zuko in typical teen cool, hides his feelings for Sandy. Betty is jealous. As in the current popular TV show, “Glee”, you are either a jock or cheerleader, or a brain (science, math, AV/computer nerd techie), or into the arts, drama or music, or a “bad” boy or girl, and these lines are not crossed. If they are, you’re ostracized (imitating real life). Danny, to win Sandy, becomes a jock - - for a while. Sadly, Sandy feels she needs a makeover to win Danny’s heart. She enlists Frenchy’s help. In the final scene, she has loosened her pony-tail, cast off her dirndl skirt, and appears heavily-made up, wearing a tight black outfit and spike heels. She, Danny, and their friends sing “You’re the One I want.”
There is so much competition out there in the world of musical theatre. Regardless, these kids are so talented, they should not give up. Go for it!
The issues plaguing these ‘50s teens are relationships, bullying, gang fights, pregnancy, unsympathetic and distant teachers, and never-seen parents. Not much has changed except for the increase in rape (it wasn’t reported back then, so who knew?), violence exacerbated by drugs, guns in school, and racial issues. Yet with friends, music and dance, somehow, most of us survive. High-school musicals like “Grease” keep the good memories alive.