Camarillo theater's 'Grease' is electrifying
Play Review
By Sally Carpenter sallyc@theacorn.com.

"Grease" at Camarillo Community Theatre is the one that you want to see for sheer entertainment value.

This version, with book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, contains elements of both the movie and recent stage revivals, including two songs written for the film but not "Grease is the Word."

The show seems akin to "West Side Story" in that the "good guys" are actually the "bad kids" at Rydell High School: the juvenile delinquents of the Thunderbirds gang and the "loser" girls of the Pink Ladies clique.

Unlike the clean cut TV show "Happy Days," the play touches on adolescence's seamy side- cigarettes, booze, unprotected sex, petty theft, gang wars, school drop outs- but like most nostalgia, the show renders an idolized version of the 1950s where nobody suffers the consequences of bad behavior, except for a stint in summer school.

"Grease's" strength is in the music and dancing. The songs are near-parodies of 50s-style Top 40 doo-wop and pop, with plenty of "oo-oo-oo" and musical hooks big enough to catch a whale.

The production spotlights complex choreography by Jeff Wallace. The large cast- about 30- pours its heart into the high energy show. The T-bird boys are adept in physical comedy and the Pink Ladies are amusingly catty.

A big plus for this production, directed by Ken Rayzor, is casting mostly teenagers to play high school students. Some roles are double cast.

The snappy music makes up for a near lack of plot and character growth. The tissue-thin story is really a slice of life of afterschool socializing where boys and girls awkwardly enter- and fall from- relationships. The genders trade insults as part of the mating ritual, and friends find that following their hearts may cause a falling out with their buddies.

The T-birds are insecure guys who joke about making out but show little action. Oddly enough, some of these Chicago kids sound more like Brooklyn toughs.

The gang leader, Danny (Adam DeWinter), has started a summer friendship with goody-goody Sandy (Alana Grossman and Megan Rayzor). When he meets Sandy back at school, he brushes her off to appear "cool" to his pals.

The rest of the show follows Sandy's pining for him and their on-again, off-again affair. Sandy's a virgin who doesn't drink, doesn't smoke (then why does she hang out with girls who do?) and who, frankly, is rather dull.

This storyline is almost lost among the multiple subplots and the huge cast. For a leading lady, Sandy's mostly off stage, popping up sporadically to sing a sweet love song, but missing in action during the large dance numbers. She and Danny see each other so seldom that it's no wonder they can't hit it off.

The supporting cast is full of memorable characters, including Nick Frisch as the delightfully dorky nerd Eugene; Katie Young as the leggy, sexy, cynical Rizzo; Tara Michelle Golson as the wannabe hairdresser Frenchy; Trevor Shor as Kenickie who lusts for hot women and cool cars, and Amanda Gonzales as Patty, the ever peppy cheerleader who always talks in exclamation points!!!

Masio Winston as the Teen Angel is a showstopper with his slick, stylish number, "Beauty School Drop Out." A song from him would stop any girl from leaving school.

As Danny, DeWinter looks more like Nicolas Cage than John Travolta, which isn't bad. He makes a nice transition into maturity, as he seeks respectability to win his girl.

Cast members from Moorpark High School include Trevor Shor as Kenickie, Adam Rayzor as Doody, Megan Rayzor as Sandy, and ensemble members Jessica Gotsman, Katie Luke, Colin Mitchell and Leigh Puhek.

From Moorpark College is understudy Patrick Beckstead, Nick Fritsch as Eugene, and ensemble members Tim McGarry and Allison Parmenter.

Kockout musical numbers include the ode to wheels, "Greased Lightening," where a beat-up junker magically gets a new paint job before your eyes; the high school dance contest; and "Alone at the Drive In," complete with cars and a grade-B sci-fi movie.

The actors sing to prerecorded music which allows for a full orchestra treatment. Cues were spot on and the music nicely covers the scene changes.

To enjoy this show, don't think too deeply that the play seems to glorify promiscuity and that "good girls" have to dress like "bad girls" to get the guy. Just jive with the juke box and stay hopelessly devoted.

Running time is two hours, 30 minutes. The theater is at 330 Skyway Drive, inside the Camarillo Airport. The musical runs through Nov. 18. For tickets, call (805) 388-5716.