Seeing two different company's productions of Grease three times in four weeks sounds like the sort of thing most people would try to avoid, but the Grease experience is yet to grow stale with opening night at the Roo Theatre last night being an absolute blast.
The set design captures the bright atmosphere of the piece with a rainbow motif that leads nicely into the lives and times of Rydell's Class of 1959 with which we're all already familiar. At times even the massive stage of the Harbour Theatre seemed full to the brim with the dances of the talented ensemble, though at other times during the quieter scenes there seemed to be a lot of empty room around. Sharp lighting design by Roo's resident guru Ray Clegg, executed by Leonie Smith, helped to focus the attention and keep the energy from dispersing from the action, however.
The action itself, was, of course, everything I've come to expect from the Roo Theatre Company over the years. It was funny, it was powerful, and seeing such a young enthusiastic cast out there having a ball makes for a genuinely entertaining and enjoyable evening. The four leads -- Josh Rugiano as Danny, Juliette McGowan as Sandy, Adam O'Brien as Kenickie and Charlotte Kerr as Rizzo -- pushed and pulled the piece along nicely, with O'Brien's energy really being a highlight of the night. He lead the T-Birds like a sheepdog, keeping them in line with his electric movements and strong voice. The contrast between himself and Kerr as sarcastic, dry-humoured Rizzo was fantastic, and the two really worked together as a couple. The chemistry between Rugiano and McGowan was more subtle, and I've always found it a fault of the script that all the real romance between Danny and Sandy happens offstage -- on the beach during those "Summer Nights", and mentions of phone calls later on; it's a real testament to the ability of both of them as actors that their young love doesn't just seem entirely out of place. Especial mention must be made of Josh Rugiano, who made his stage debut last night. Performing is difficult at the best of times, but Rugiano has really been thrown in the deep end with such a difficult role in such a well-known musical. He handles the role coolly and pulls it off without a hitch, and is sure to be worth watching in the future.
Also Juliette -- as well as putting on an incredible performance, as usual -- looked amazing in her tight black number at the end; it's a memory I will gladly take with me to the grave. Moving right along!
The majority of the other roles are dual cast, allowing the glory to be spread around, and of the cast I saw last night, not one of them could be faulted. Jan (played by Perri Rugg) quickly established herself as a crowd favourite, and Frenchy (Noelletta Toole) and Doody (James Rueda) were just adorable together. The two of them also had some of the strongest voices in the cast; how Toole produces such an enormous sound from such a small frame is beyond me. The scenes between Eugene and Cha-Cha, played by Lachlan O'Dea and Rosie Goderie, respectively, had me in stitches; the couple had a certain something else, a tightness in their acting and dialogue together that was the sacrifice the rest of the split cast paid as they seemed at times to struggle with having different people play different roles.
It's my personal opinion that splitting the cast like this was the sole detraction that stopped a really good show from being a great show. The alternate cast didn't really have any chances to shine, and it felt at times like half of the talent was just being cast aside, as they didn't always get to participate in ensemble numbers. Admittedly, this is something that initially bugged me -- that the quality of the show would be cut down like that -- but at the end of the day it's still a good show. I imagine that most of the audience will just have a great time having a great time, and if you enjoy having a great time, then I sincerely recommend this show to you. Sure, maybe it's not a good a show as it could have been, but when the audience walks away with smiles on their faces and words of praise, and more people in the cast get the chance to shine, to grow as actors and to expand their confidence as people, it was the right decision to make. In the long run, what's going to matter more; that an amateur theatre show wasn't as 100% good as it could have been, or that these young adults get a chance to express themselves and contribute to their community more? I may disagree with it on an artistic and technical level, but when a community theatre is able to engage and draw in more members of its community like this, then that's what really matters.
Okay so I totally had more to say about how much I really enjoyed the show but I just had some delicious barbecued chicken for dinner and got legit distracted. I know I wanted to mention the band, lead by MD "Big Dave" Wassink on the ivories. It may have been bareboned (with only four membes) but the sound they produced was remarkable, and it was fabulous being able to watch them on stage. I really wish more local productions had their bands visible like this; it was suitable to the style and feel of the show and honestly added so much. The accompanying Shoop-Shoop Girls (Rhiannon Perry, Mahlah Hoffman and Alycia Walton) were to die for, and their harmonies were pitch perfect thanks to vocal coach Jess Soden. A certain actor in a surprise cameo appearance as the Teen Angel also stole the show at the appropriate moment, and was a delight to watch onstage.
Choreography by Lauren Thrift was executed by an enthusiastic ensemble; it was a shame that there were only three gentlemen in it, but such is the way with amateur theatre, and it really didn't detract from the experience at all.
Finally, I want to praise the entire production team. I've mentioned Dave Wassink, Jess Soden and Lauren Thrift specifically already, but also amongst their ranks were assistant choreographer Alyse Downey, costume coordinator Sheridan Downey, assistant director Josif Jovanovski, producer Chris Micallef and -- drum roll please -- director Nick Higgins. As I went into in a bit more depth than I initially intended, a lot of the decisions that were made for Roo's Grease aren't ones that I necessarily would have made myself; but having seen them executed so well, I can't stress enough how impressed and enthused I am that this production was done the way it was.
Cast(s) of Grease, you can be sure I'll be back to see you again.
Grease is playing at the Roo Theatre's Harbour Theatre, on the corner of Addison and some other street in Shellharbour. I'm sure you have a Navman, or at least access to Google Maps. Tickets can be purchased on 4297 2891.
Remaining show dates are:
Wednesday, 26th of October - 8pm
Friday, 28th of October - 8pm
Saturday, 29th of October - 2pm and 8pm
Wednesday, 2nd of November - 8pm
Friday, 4th of November - 8pm
Saturday, 5th of November - 2pm and 8pm
Tickets are $30 adult or $25 concession, and additional information can be found on the Roo website or on the Facebook event page.
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