ARTICLE
Grease was Rama-lama-lama ma-ding-it-y ding de dong-ly Enjoyable!
By InCinemas / 29 Apr 2014 (Tuesday)
If that title hasn’t already caught your attention, here’s why you should catch this Shoo bop sha wadda wadda yippity boom de boom musical - Grease!
Grease
Date: 25 Apr - 18 May 2014
Venue: MasterCard Theatres, Marina Bay Sands
Time:
- Tues - Fri: 8pm
- Sat: 2pm/8pm
- Sun: 1pm/5.30pm
Ticket Pricing:
- VIP : $175
- A Reserve : $150
- B Reserve : $130
- C Reserve : $85
- D Reserve : $60
(Book your tickets at Sistic's website here!)
Apart from the glitzy set, colourful costumes and electrifying choreography, Grease explodes with charm as the cast belts out iconic numbers like ‘You’re The One That I Want’, ‘Grease Is The Word’ and ‘Summer Lovin’ at the Grand Theatre at Marina Bay Sands.
Even if you’ve not caught the 1978 classic film of the same title starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, you must have heard these songs somehow, somewhere from someone. Set in the 1950s, the musical tells a story about two high school students Danny (Stephen Mahy) and Sandy (Gretel Scarlett) who falls deeply in love with each other. Danny is forced to maintain his bad-boy attitude in front of his pals, upsetting Sandy on many occasions.
Grease opens with Principal Lynch (Val Lehman) and her two star students, who pulls a huge blackboard on stage, teaching the audience the lyrics of We Go Together. It was clear that the audience at the gala night was all ready to sing along, decking out their ‘sing-along cheat sheet’, reciting the lyrics along with Miss Lynch and the students Rydell High.
Coined as a classic production for both the stage and film, it isn’t easy filling the shoes of names like Travolta, Richard Gere, Debbie Gibson and Brooke Shields. InCinemas chatted with Stephen Mahy who plays Danny, shared his excitement in being part of the touring group in Singapore.
“I’m loving it! To be honest, it’s a little nerve-wracking but also very honoured to play such an iconic role,” the Australian actor commented. “The music is so timeless you can really just sink your teeth into it! Every time I put on my leather jacket, all of a sudden I just walk and behave differently.”
If you’re thinking how long it takes Mahy and the T-Birds Kenickie (Sam Ludeman), Doody (Scott McConnell), Sonny (Daniel Raso) and Roger (Duane Mcgregor) to do their quiff, it only takes the boys about 5 minutes (on average) with the help of hairspray, lots and lots of them. “Initially it used to take about half and hour, but we’ve refined it now and it takes me about 5 to 10 minutes,” revealed Ludeman who plays teenager Kenickie.
And of course, we can’t forget the Pink Ladies Rizzo (Lucy Maunder), Frenchy (Francine Caine), Jan (Laura Murphy) and Marty (Karla Tonkich) to spice up the show with their sassiness and girly-girl moments.
“I think everyone just comes and leaves humming the tunes and having their best night and that’s what we want to do. They always say ‘you guys look like you are having so much fun’ and we are,” said Maunder who belts out one of the few ballads ’There Are Worse Things I Could Do’.
Murphy, Tonkich and Caine couldn’t help but to sing praises for their co-actor Maunder. “I think that undeniably ‘There Are Worse Things I Could Do’ is the most beautiful number in the show and Lucy Maunder is stunning! People just flock to see her and they leave the show thinking that song is amazing,” commented Murphy. “It’s a show-stopper,” echoed Tonkich. (And we couldn’t agree more!)
The rockin’ musical production is packed with explosive energy, slick dance moves, and not forgetting the outstanding vocals from the cast and ensemble. Amongst the lively numbers, it were the ballads that stood out the most; Hopelessly Devoted To You, a melodious song about Sandy’s love for Danny, and There Are Worse Things I Could Do, Rizzo’s emotional entanglement about her future. The two leading ladies croon these unforgettable songs with much depth, with special mention to Maunder’s powerful vocals and commanding stage presence.
Though the overarching theme of the Grease might be the love story between Danny and Sandy, their chemistry wasn’t quite there yet. If I were to choose a couple from the gang, perhaps Jan and Roger where the couple brought most of the comic relief with their bubbly personalities.
It’s always fun when the gang gets together, fooling around like typical high school kids one would expect. From a sold-out Australian tour, Grease is an irresistible mix of adolescent angst, vibrant physicality and 1950s pop culture. If you’re a fan of the film, this stage production is one that you should not miss, though I would add a ‘PG’ rating if you intend to bring your little ones.
If you’re looking for something to brighten your day, Grease is the word!