By Kristen Weyer.
Every once in a while there’s a show that retains its draw and popularity no matter how many decades have passed. A show that can still enthrall audiences with a fun plot, beloved characters, and music you just can’t help singing along with. Grease is one of those shows, and its playing right now at Theatre Three in Port Jefferson. With book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, it is superbly directed here by Jeffrey Sanzel. Get ready for a blast from the past with everything you know and love from this peppy classic!
Want to get away from it all for a bit? Well then, come to Theatre Three and escape back in time for a few hours with Danny, Sandy and the rest of the gang!
With great voices, high energy and gorgeous harmonies this cast really knows how to put on a show! Sandy is charming, Danny is slick, and Frenchy is adorable. The guys are: Jon Sawyer Coffin as Danny, Steven Uihlein as Kenickie, C.J. Russo as Doody, Eric Hughes as Roger, and Darren Clayton as Sonny. The girls are: Jenna Kavaler as Sandy, Michelle LaBozzetta as Frency, Rachel Greenblatt as Rizzo, Heidi Jaye as Marty and Alanna Rose Henriquez as Jan. Fabulous facial expressions, and convincing characterizations abound in this talented cast. Not only do they act well together, but on more than one occasion their voices blended so stunningly together in harmony that it induced mid-song cheers from the audience.
Marianne Schmidt adds some great humor as the teacher Ms. Lynch, and Chris Brady is entertaining as the slightly sleazy Vince Fontaine. Melanie Acampora as Patty Simcox, John Mazzarella as Eugene Florczyk and Michelle Vicale as Cha-Cha DiGregorio all added humor and fun!
From “Summer Nights” to “You’re The One That I Want” the cast will keep you hopping and bopping to the incredible score performed by director Jeffrey Hoffman and the live band. Some standouts were “Those Magic Changes” and “There are Worse Things I Could do”. Look out for a showstopper in the second act. Londel Collier completely steals the show as Teen Angel with his fabulous rendition of “Beauty School Dropout”!
Wonderful decade appropriate costumes were designed by Ronald Green III, and I appreciated the fun color coordination detail with the couples’ outfits.
It is fantastic to have live theatre back again, and not only is this a great show, its also a great time!
Grease is playing at Theatre Three until October 30th. For tickets and current entrance requirements click here.