Travel back in time as the Rydell High School’s class of ’59 attends their 10th reunion and reminisces about the “good ole days.” The Porthole Players presents “Grease” beginning April 8th and running weekends through April 24th at the Newport Performing Arts Center.
Directed by Dan Buckout, this teen ensemble sings and dances the story of Sandy (Brandi Ligget), the new girl in town and Danny Zuko (Anthony Gainer), whom she met on the beach during the summer. Danny is the leader of the Burger Palace Boys, a leather-clad gang, who has a reputation to keep. Sandy, however, doesn’t seem to fit in with the cool scene and the female gang known as the Pink Ladies. Her prim and proper ways net her the “Sandra Dee” image. Should she attempt to get her man by turning him into a jock? Or should she change her image?
Danny’s gang, The Burger Palace Boys, consists of Kenickie (Josh Lawrence), Doody (Jon Lawrence), Roger (Ian Williams) and Sonny (James French.) The Pink Ladies, led by Rizzo (Rebecca Forest), are Frenchy (Geurin Jones), Marty (Teghan Flores) and Jan (Taylor Moe.) Everyone gave performances worthy of applause, but a special tribute should be paid to Anthony Gainer as Danny and Taylor Moe as Jan for their outstanding contributions.
You won’t want to miss this colorful, all-singing, all-dancing, toe-tapping extravaganza with a predominantly all-teen cast. The dancer numbers, under the skilled tutelage of Stacey Liggett, bring the hop, the hand jive and the cha-cha back to life for those of us who lived it and for those who didn’t, consider it a “retro” evolution. And be sure to check out Danny’s car, “Greased Lightning”…a very innovative idea to be sure.
There is something for everyone in this show, from the great music and stirring dance numbers to the innovative set. It will be another evening of Porthole theatre magic.
