‘Grease’ oils wheels of playhouse machine

REVIEW By TOM KANE

FORESTBURGH, NY — A couple of weeks ago, I reviewed the Forestburgh Playhouse’s rendition of “West Side Story.” This week I attended the playhouse’s production of “Grease.”

I was struck at how the two plays are a study in contrast – similar and yet dissimilar. Both had ensemble numbers that were hyper-energized. Both had dancing numbers that drew your breath away—ending in a sudden flash of finality and shock. Both had members of the chorus step out of the line with brashness and bravura and almost take over the show.

But there the similarities end.

The message of “West Side Story” is one of cruelty, betrayal, murder and disharmony. The message of “Grease” is one of innocence, exuberance, playfulness and friendship—even love, albeit puppy love.

The stage of the playhouse pulsated this week with these rosy qualities as this intrepid troupe of singers, dancers and actors that Norman Duttweiler has gathered for the summer performed “Grease” as if they were born in the 1950s.

“Grease,” which is a perennial favorite, is about the students of Rydell High School in the ’50s. It came to Broadway in 1972 and ended after a run of 3388 performances. This was followed by the movie version starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. As if this were not enough, the show returned to Broadway in 1994 where it played for another 1500 performances at the O’Neill Theatre. Its run at Forestburgh has continued the tradition: due to unprecedented demand for tickets, the Forestburgh Playhouse has added an additional performance of the musical to its schedule, at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 21.

Singular among the music numbers at the playhouse were “Greased Lightnin’,” “Mooning,” “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” “Alone at a Drive-In Movie,” and the rousing “We Go Together,” the theme of show, which expresses the celebration of friendship and love.

Like the playhouse’s production of “West Side Story,” this production was supported by chorus members who sang, danced and acted with verve. One member of the chorus who stood out was Ryan Robert Loucks who played the role of Sonny with the same gusto he displayed in the role of Luther Billings in “South Pacific.” Loucks grabs your attention right at the first beat of the musical all the way to the last pulse of the finale.

Another member of the chorus, Richard Barth, who played Kenickie, sang the praises of his “new” car , his new love, which he calls “Greased Lightnin’,” backed by the rollicking clamor of the Burger Palace Boys, who register both delight and scorn for his wheels.

The number called “Mooning” brought out the comedic talents of Mark Donaldson (Roger) and Erin Zaruba (Jan) who sang the glories of mooning their teacher at Rydell High, the formidable Miss Lynch.

Another standout from the chorus was Sarah Pesek (Rizzo) who plays a seductive firebrand, singing “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee” and “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.”

The thing that convinces me that performers are doing an excellent job is my inability to take my eyes off them when they sing, dance and act. If they grab my attention so decisively, they must be doing something right.

This extraordinary season at the Forestburgh Playhouse will end with the next production, “The Full Monty” beginning on August 23.

For information and tickets, call the Playhouse Ticket Office at 845/794-1194.