Grease - CM Performing Arts Center | 5.2.25

CM Performing Arts Center is currently producing the Broadway hit musical "Grease" from May 2nd to May 18th. The original musical made its debut on Broadway in 1972 and was so successful that it spawned the 1978 movie we all know and love (or at least appreciate) starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the title roles of Danny and Sandy. It largely focuses on their love story and the personal lives of their friends and classmates in the late 1950s and includes popular songs (and karaoke favorites) like "We Go Together", "Summer Nights", and "You're the One That I Want." This is another show (like this winter's "Rent") that I wasn't sure that we needed to revisit. I couldn't possibly count how many times I have seen "Grease" on Long Island – and even appeared as Teen Angel once! – and I was sure I had my fill; but I'm happy to report that once again CM has created something special and it's worth circling back to.

Michael Anthony Shapiro returns to the CM stage as Danny Zuko and his casting couldn't be more appropriate. Shapiro embodied the character wonderfully – from the humor, to the walk, to the talk – the guy has got swagger for days and there wasn't a person in the audience that didn't love to see it. Playing the role of Sandy is the massively talented Laila Canelo who is an absolute delight. I know some die-hard fans will disagree, but I've always seen "Hopelessly Devoted to You" as a bit of a snoozer. Cute song but isn't exactly on the shortlist for a miscast cabaret selection, if you know what I mean. Canelo changed my stance on this though! She didn't treat it as filler and from where I was sitting on opening night, the audience didn't receive it as such either. Her rendition of this song is exquisite, and I say that with *all* of the enthusiasm.

Laila Canelo, Michael Anthony Shapiro.

Photo Credit: Lisa Schindlar

While we are on the subject of people bringing exciting things to this production, we have to talk about Evan Torres as Roger. You've seen him on the CM stage countless times, but this role was a standout for me. Torres nailed Roger’s humor and had fantastic chemistry with Jan, played by Shea McMahon. You'll find Act 1's "Mooning" of particular interest since it blends all of that together along with some of the best vocals to this song I've heard. Kudos to both! There’s no shortage of great vocals here though. Scott Wysocki plays double duty taking on the roles of Doody and Teen Angel! You’ll love what he does in “Those Magic Changes” but when he gets to “Beauty School Dropout” in Act 2 you’ll wish he could sing it twice. I was equally impressed with Alisa Barsch and her portrayal of Rizzo. She is a joy to watch. Barsch brought humor to the role when appropriate and portrayed the more genuine and serious side to Rizzo as well, showing us how talented she really is. “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” made us all want to jump up and applaud!

There’s just *so* many people to mention because this cast is stacked!!

“Greased Lightning”

Photo Credit: Lisa Schindlar

Jason Steven Kopp is back on stage as Kenickie and delivered everything you would come to expect from him…and I venture to say a bit more. I can’t recall a show (and if I’m wrong please charge my head and not my heart…we’re getting old here) where I saw Kopp dance this much and I was super pleased! We know he can sing, we know he can act, and after seeing him lead “Greased Lightning” we know he can dance. I also love to see Patrick Campbell on stage in any capacity and his performance as Sonny was a delight and had wonderful moments throughout. I found him exceptionally enjoyable in “Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Queen,” but his presence in any scene brings warmth and brightness that is always appreciated.

Sydnee LaBuda is back on stage as Marty after last appearing at CM in “Rock of Ages” and she was also everything you’d expect - hysterical and fun - with some of her best on display during Act 1’s “Freddy My Love.” Sarah Minto rounds out the Pink Ladies as Frenchy, a role she picked up during tech week after Rebecca Martowski had to abruptly leave the cast. (We hope all is well!) Kudos to Minto for not missing a beat. If you weren’t told she wasn’t the original Frenchy, you wouldn’t know! Miss Lynch and Vince Fontaine were played by Jennifer Demopoulos and Thomas H. Anderson respectively and they both delivered laugh after laugh. 

The Pink Ladies

Photo Credit: Lisa Schindlar

The full company numbers are truly a sight to behold. The ensemble is incredibly strong and really shines during crowd favorites like “We Go Together”, “Born to Hand Jive”, and “You’re The One that I Want.” The dancing was literally Broadway quality and that is to the credit of choreographer Melissa Rapelje. I always expect perfection when I see her name and what we got in this production did not disappoint. Her choreography is always clean and everyone looks great doing it - which I’m sure is no small feat in local theater when dealing with people of varying dance experience - and makes this all the more impressive. I spent a lot of time discussing the solo vocals in the show, but it should be mentioned that the group numbers were equally fantastic and much of that goes to Music Director Samantha Free. The more of her work that I hear, the more of a fan I become! The set everyone played on was designed by Scenic Designer John Mazzarella, who once again knocks it out of the park. Rydell High has never looked brighter and the *detail* - you can get lost forever looking at all of the smaller details on the set. All of these efforts complemented each other excellently under the direction of Ronald R. Green III, whose love for this show was seen at every turn. Everything we experienced was selected and crafted with precision and that can only come from a person (and team!) who knows the show inside and out and genuinely loves it - it almost feels like this production was a passion project for this team and it was refreshing to experience.

This production proved that perhaps Long Island *did* need another production of Grease after all and if you’re able to score tickets - you absolutely should. Grease will be running on the mainstage at CM Performing Arts Center until May 18th and tickets can be purchased by calling the box office or via their website at www.cmpac.com. 

Full Company

Photo Credit: Lisa Schindlar

Cast:

Danny Zuko - Michael Anthony Shapiro

Sandy Dumbrowski - Laila Canelo

Kenickie - Jason Steven Kopp

Sonny LaTierri - Patrick Campbell

Roger - Evan Torres

Doody/Teen Angel - Scott Wysocki

Betty Rizzo - Alisa Barsch

Marty - Sydnee LaBuda

Jan - Shea McMahon

Frenchy - Sarah Minto

Patty Simcox - Julie Stewart

Eugene Florczyk - Eddie Martinez

Miss Lynch - Jennifer Demopoulos

Vince Fontaine - Thomas H. Anderson

Cha-Cha DiGregorio - Deana Naja

Johnny Casino - Hans Paul Hendrickson

Dolores Rebchuck - Camilla Montoya

Ensemble - Ruben Fernandez+, Hans Paul Hendrickson, Juliana Jagielo+, Keith Jones, Stone Locke, Paul Manzo, Sarah Minto, Camilla Montoya, Jennifer Morales, Marilyn Parada

+ Dance Captains

Creative Team:

Director - Ronald R. Green III

MUSIC DIRECTOR - Samantha Free

Stage Manager - Rebecca Olivieri

Asst. Stage Manager - Gaia Maria Tini

CHOREOGRAPHER - Melissa Rapelje

SOUND Designer - Evan Lettieri & Emerson Wachnik

PROPS DESIGNER - Heather Van Velsor

Scenic Designer - JOHN MAZZARELLA

LIGHTING DESIGNER - Kevin Purdy

Costume/WIG Designer - RONALD R. GREEN III

The Grease House Band:

Conducted by Samantha Free

Keyboards - Kim Gabriele, Carl Hottinger

Guitar - Brynn Burke, John DeRicco

Bass - Shiori Chozono

Reeds - Andrew Lenahan

Drums - Mike Ayala, Bill Dwyer