Greased lightning at KDVP

JORDAN MOSHE

In fact, the multi-talented cast of high schoolers proved that not only can they dance, but also sing, act and bring the house down with their talent. They took to the stage with vibrancy, panache and a considerable amount of Brylcreem and teenage swagger in their production of the 1971 hit musical, which was originally written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.

The 1978 film adaptation, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, was a huge success, and the King David scholars lived up to that standard, and then some. The school production was directed and choreographed by Weslee Swain Lauder, together with co-directors and producers Renos Spanoudes and Barbara Wolf.

The cast revived this story of teenage love, friendship, rebellion and the discovery of identity by delivering mostly exceptional performances. Serena Steinhauer as Rizzo proved to have all-round star quality in her role as the uber-sassy, super-bitchy anti-lead. Her portrayal was marked by her natural stage presence and immense talent. This performer is destined to have her name in lights.

When Kayla Jacobs as the Teen Angel walked on stage, she wowed the crowds with her huge personality, presence and voice. Despite playing a smaller role, she exuded raw talent, which earned her rousing applause.

While the female voices appeared to top – not by much – those of the males, there was one very clear exception. When Joshua Michel as Roger sang a duet with Mikaila Sher as Jan, his clear and melodious voice sent shivers down the audience’s spine. I was not alone in the audience wanting to hear and see much more from Michel.

As the pressure to play major roles is undeniably high, a number of lead roles were played alternately in nightly performances by different actors.

Playing the alternative role of Danny Zuko, Alon Raichlin showed such talent, even his mother was bowled over. That kid can dance and act up a storm. The female lead character, Sandy Dumbrowski, was played by Paris Obel, whose crystal clear voice appeared to hit all the right notes.

The other cast’s love-sick couple was played by Eli Kaplan and Rebecca Matisonn, both of whom invested their parts with vitality and enthusiasm. They exemplified perfectly how difficult the high school experience can be for adolescent lovers. Despite the challenging melodies and harmonies they had to deliver and the strain of constant singing, both performers hit the required high notes with little exertion. Kaplan’s natural teenage swagger and boyish charisma had girls in the audience swooning, while Matisonn’s authentic grace and charm elicited sighs of admiration.

No high schooler’s experience is complete without their coterie of supportive (or derisive) friends. Both the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies brought a group dynamic to the production which took adolescent banter, bitch fights and co-ordinated dancing to theatrical high. In addition, the personality of the awkwardly enthusiastic outsider, Patty Simcox, was expertly portrayed by both India Milne and Erin Midzuk. Their depiction of the over-the-top but altogether recognisable, ever smiling, saccharinely cheerful character familiar to many was superb and oh-so-funny.

Adding a personal school element, members of the school’s rugby team put in an appearance, as did English department head Elizabeth Leaver as Rydell High’s Ms Lynch. Her appearance on stage made the audience holler with excitement.

Although the quality of sound was at times questionable, favourite songs such as Greased Lightning and We Go Together paid homage to the music of the late 1950s, the era in which the musical is set. The cast presented a polished performance which came across as natural and sincere. The glitzy ’50s fashions were brought to life, lending a sartorial sumptuousness to the production, and the set was meticulously controlled by the backstage crew.

All in all, this performance was a laudable reflection of an era characterised by juvenile delinquency, blaring music and the questioning of social mores. Grease was indeed the word this week.