Verdict: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (reviewed Saturday 22 February 2025).
Grease The Musical presented by Tall & Short Theatre Co. at Sutherland Arts Theatre is a sold-out smash hit. The characters made famous by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the ’78 movie are fantastically cast with Luke Bevan and Phoebe Barnett in the lead roles of Danny and Sandy.
Grease The Musical with book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey is an all-time audience favourite, with its boy-meets-girl high-school romance immortalised in songs such as Grease Lightnin’, Summer Nights, You’re the One That I Want and Hopelessly Devoted To You.
The attention to detail in this production recreates the magic of the movie version and the musical’s 1950s setting. Costumes by Raelene Jones and Athena Madams are blinged and beautifully tailored, making powerful statement pieces, particularly in the opening numbers for the Pink Ladies and the leather-jacketed Thunderbird boys. Wigs by Taylah Earl and makeup by Georgia Farrugia complements and completes the aesthetic vision.
The cast and ensemble are all brilliant and memorable, too many to mention in one review but there are some highlights worth noting:
Barnett says Sandy was a dream role for her to play. Barnett evokes the spirit of Olivia Newton-John’s sweet Aussie girl performance as Sandy (Sandra), carrying us all away with her generous and assured vocals, particularly in her solo rendition of Hopelessly Devoted To You.
The part of Danny Zuko is also a dream come true for Bevan, a role he has admired since watching John Travolta play him. Bevan is perfectly cast as the chiselled, brooding, reserved but not always so mature character.
Isabella Rodrigues playing the role of razor-sharp Betty Rizzo is a true star, feeling the energy of her character from her fingertips through every fibre of her being, eating up the limelight as though it were made of cotton candy. I thoroughly enjoyed Rodrigues’ acidic and sharp performance, particularly in her send up of Sandra Dee.
Michael Astill’s role as the Teen Angel is radiant with lighting design by Tomas Gerasimidis; Astill also shines as the fabulous Vince Fontaine.
Nicole Higgins is our no nonsense schoolteacher Miss Lynch, commanding us all to ‘sit up straighter’ and pay attention. Higgins delivers a fun, authoritative performance.
In terms of staging, for a musical, the backdrop felt a bit static and featureless but has moments of pizzaz, particularly when transformed into a girly bedroom for the Pink Ladies’ get-together and later as the interior of the local school dance. An automobile which is the centrepiece of several scenes provides exciting visuals and dance choreography by Isabella Gallant and dance assistant Jaila Ellem.
Direction and Musical Direction by Benjamin May keeps the rock n’ roll energy fresh, engaging and exciting during its entire sell out season. Highly recommend keeping an eye out for Tall & Short Theatre Co’s next production.
Grease The Musical played at Sutherland Arts Theatre from 14 – 23 February 2025. For more info about upcoming productions by Tall & Short Theatre Co, go to https://www.tstheatreco.com/
Images
Supplied.