CHICAGO—When we think of “Grease” most of us think: large cast and gobs of glitz. But this musical, written by Chicagoan Jim Jacobs with the late (transplanted to Chicago from New York) Warren Casey, originated as a small scale show. Over the years it has grown into a mega-phenomenon.
The road production that is now at The Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University has gone back to it roots—it is just what it was meant to be—show-casing strong talent and a cast of high energy performers. A total of 25 actors make up the entire cast.
The story is simple. Danny (Eric Schneider) spent the summer at the beach where he met and romanced Sandy (Emily Padgett). Sandy didn’t know that he was a “greaser” or that she would end up in the same school with him. Danny is Mr. Cool with his Rydell High School cronies, but played it a lot different with Sandy. Each now has to find a way to recapture what they found together but, this time, as their social selves.
The show is a fun-loving, finger-snapping, dance-in-the-aisles type of show that appeals to “kids” of all ages (but for the record, it is a little deeper than the movie and has some language and “touchy-feely” moments that may not be right for little ones—you be the judge of your kids under 13).
This version has added songs from the film, “Sandy,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “You’re The One That I Want,” as well as “Grease.” It also features former American Idol winner Taylor Hicks as ”Teen Angel,“ and he adds a special touch to ”Beauty School Dropout” with his harmonica. His role has very little stage time and one song/no lines (yet he is given star billing).
Padgett and Schneider are both strong singers and dancers and that’s what this show calls for. Acting is optional.
The road production that is now at The Auditorium Theatre at Roosevelt University has gone back to it roots—it is just what it was meant to be—show-casing strong talent and a cast of high energy performers. A total of 25 actors make up the entire cast.
The story is simple. Danny (Eric Schneider) spent the summer at the beach where he met and romanced Sandy (Emily Padgett). Sandy didn’t know that he was a “greaser” or that she would end up in the same school with him. Danny is Mr. Cool with his Rydell High School cronies, but played it a lot different with Sandy. Each now has to find a way to recapture what they found together but, this time, as their social selves.
The show is a fun-loving, finger-snapping, dance-in-the-aisles type of show that appeals to “kids” of all ages (but for the record, it is a little deeper than the movie and has some language and “touchy-feely” moments that may not be right for little ones—you be the judge of your kids under 13).
This version has added songs from the film, “Sandy,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “You’re The One That I Want,” as well as “Grease.” It also features former American Idol winner Taylor Hicks as ”Teen Angel,“ and he adds a special touch to ”Beauty School Dropout” with his harmonica. His role has very little stage time and one song/no lines (yet he is given star billing).
Padgett and Schneider are both strong singers and dancers and that’s what this show calls for. Acting is optional.
