Nina Abel

SSS ‘Grease’ the One You Want on these Summer Nights

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By John Lyle Belden

Though more than six decades have passed, there is something that sparks the imagination about the 1950s, with its big cars, slick and styled hair, and early rock’n’roll.

The college-age performers with Summer Stock Stage have fully tapped into that mystique with their production of the musical “Grease,” directed and choreographed by Audra Bryant. Their grandparents may not even remember the original era, but certainly do the nostalgia wave of the 1970s, punctuated by the musical’s film version (which likely someone is still streaming even now). The current production is sort of a hybrid of the movie and the 1971 Broadway version (by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey), including songs from the former with plot mostly of the latter.

The result is thoroughly entertaining, with Bryant’s choreo bringing out the best of the cast’s dancing talent. Singing is excellent, too: Olivia Broadwater as new girl Sandy lets her voice soar much like her namesake from the film. Mabry Scott Smith takes charge of the Danny Zuko role, as Bryant Cobb does with top T-Bird Kenickie (who gets to sing the praises of “Greased Lightning”). Erin Lambertson gives teen-punk gravitas to her turn as Rizzo, from her taunting “Sandra Dee” to breaking our hearts in “There are Worse Things I could Do.”

As the stage version gives more classmates the opportunity to shine, we get Rayon Lim as Doody with “Magic Changes” reminiscent of a young Ricky Nelson, as well as a charming rendition of “Freddy My Love” by Kha’Lea Wainwright as Pink Lady Marty, and a cheeky duet of “Mooning” by Cajani Romar Hurd and Clairey Huffman as Roger of the T-Birds and Jan of the Pink Ladies. Aleksei Ivar Koslovski is T-Bird Sonny; Sophia Dotson is cutely indecisive Frenchy; Nina Abel is energetic overachiever Patty Simcox; and Justin Taylor Smith is nerdy Eugene (dissed by the others, but still rather likable).

The ensemble players, as Rydel High students, are no less impressive – Jacob Richardson, Sofia Warren-Fitzgerald, and dance captains Anna Seitz and Sam Hulka.

Paige Murray is impressive as Miss Lynch, as is Brianna Gutierrez-Diaz as Cha-Cha. Kana’i Nakata is a natural unabashed scene-stealer as disc jockey Vince Fontaine (who sets up scene transitions as well as working the big dance) and the Teen Angel.

Nostalgic and a little naughty with the hopeful energy of youth, “Grease” is indeed the word. But not for long; remaining performances (as this posts) are Friday through Sunday, June 5-7, at the Schrott Center for the Arts on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis. Get info and tickets at summerstockstage.com.

Summer Stock ‘Chorus’ dances into our hearts

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(This production is by Summer Stock Stage Mainstage, not its Eclipse program as originally stated in this review.)

By Wendy Carson

This summer has been very special for John and myself. We have both had two productions of our favorite musicals staged (“Godspell” for him and “A Chorus Line” for me). I am especially delighted at the fact that each production of my fave was so vastly different, so if you saw Footlite’s, “A Chorus Line,” you really need to check out the version produced by Summer Stock Stage’s Mainstage company as well.

Director/choreographer Andrew Winans and co-director Emily Ristine Holloway bring us a longer presentation that includes more of the original script and heavily highlights the dancing abilities of each of the actors. A Tony and Pulitzer-winning “sensation” in 1975, the plot revolves around the various characters desperately vying for a job in a new show, bringing the tales of why and how each one became a dancer as well as why they continue to pursue this path as a career.

Nowhere are these skills better highlighted than in the two solo dance numbers.

Mike (Jacob Richardson) bounds out of the gate with his spectacular version of “I Can Do That” explaining how he took over his sister’s place in dance class, giving us tap, jazz, and acrobatic moves that wow the whole audience.

Anna Seitz brings the sad desperation of past Broadway featured dancer Cassie’s attempt to get a job no matter how demeaning. Her performance makes her dance during “The Music and the Mirror” seem effortless despite the fact it is one of the most complex and physically taxing numbers in this show.

Ivan Figuerora as Paul has the lone soliloquy and brings every bit of the emotional rawness of the story of his journey to becoming a man who is fully comfortable in his own body and soul.

Destinee Rodriguez as Diana, not only saps every drop of sorrowful beauty of the show’s one breakout hit, “What I Did For Love,” but also shows the struggles all students (performers or not) can face against a headstrong and uncaring teacher in “Nothing.”

“At the Ballet” highlights the desolate family lives and strong singing abilities of three of our characters: Savannah McClure as Shelia whose father’s distance is overcome by finding self-esteem through dance. Savannah McCarthy is Bebe, whose lack of physical beauty is at odds with her talent. Tess Holloway’s spectacularly voices Maggie who overcomes her father’s desertion by finding solace in the arms of dance partners.

While each cast member gets an individual moment to shine, their skill as dancing in a cohesive unit might be overlooked but is a far more difficult skill than one might expect. They include Fiona Curtis as Val, Hillary McGuire as Judy, Nina Abel as Connie, Keira Himes as Kristine, Clive Guidry as Al, Fletcher Hooten as Richie, Collin Alber as Mark, Cory Wilcher as Bobby, Keilyn Bryant as Don, and AJ Thomas as Greg.

Matthew Conwell, as Zach, the director/choreographer with their fate in his hands, and Justice Harris as Larry, his assistant, show such command of the dance steps you can believe their characters came up with them.

As I have said with every other production of the show, I would honestly attend every single performance if I could. Sadly, there are only two more opportunities for you to experience it: tonight and Sunday (July 29-30) at the Ayres auditorium of Park Tudor High School, 7200 N. College, Indianapolis (note there are street construction closures on College in the Broad Ripple area, south of Park Tudor). For tickets, visit summerstockstage.com.