If “Grease” is the one that you want — ooh, ooh, ooh — then you will honestly love the musical at the Fox Theatre through Sunday.
Starring 2006 “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks in a cameo as Teen Angel, this is the touring version of director/choreographer Kathleen Marshall’s 2007 Broadway revival, which brought songs from the 1978 film treatment to the stage for the first time and drew its cast from an “Idol”-style, call-in competition on NBC.
This must explain, then, how this tale of fast cars, tough guys and an innocent blonde who is slow to get her engine purring has made the journey from a gritty, heartfelt ’50s homage to a slick and soulless commodity repackaged for the reality-TV generation. Like the ever-changing hookups that define the social scene of the now mythic Rydell High, the pleasures of this musical are shallow and ephemeral — bursting with gone-in-a-minute bubble-gum flavor and emotion.
Though I have never been hopelessly devoted to this material — not since the first time I saw JohnTravolta and Olivia Newton-John panting breathlessly on the big screen of a drive-in theater my senior year in high school — I remain open to the possibilities of new discoveries, guilty pleasures and cheesy entertainments.
So even if this Theater of the Stars production didn’t get me cranked up like a brand-new T-Bird, I was captivated by the energy of this lively ensemble, which features the lovely Emily Padgett as Sandy Dumbrowski; the delicately chiseled Eric Schneider as Danny Zuko and a host of easy-to-like supporting players.
Hicks, however, is a gimmick — a lucky stiff with a shiny suit, salt-and-pepper hair and an untrained pop-rock instrument that evokes the gentle scratch of sandpaper. He makes one heck of an entrance, though, and acquits himself without embarrassment. But he pales next to many of his cast members.
In fact, Dominic Fortuna, as WAXX deejay Vince Fontaine, wins the Mr. Congeniality Award of the night with his infectious crowd warm-up, his delightful smile and genuine sense of fun. He’s the real deal.
We also enjoyed Kate Morgan Chadwick’s Frenchy, David Ruffin’s Kenickie and the chemistry between Bridie Carroll’s Jan and Will Blum’s Roger. Plus-size Roger and Jan may not be the most glamorously turned out members of the class, but their bond feels true and genuine.
The design team is all A-list. Sets are by Derek McLane. (Loved the ’50s basement game room with the funky wallpaper and ranch-house motif floating above.) Costumes are by Martin Pakledinaz, who has an eye for short-hand of feminine lace and masculine leather. The lush, evocative lighting is by Kenneth Posner.
During Tuesday night’s intermission, someone said the show was like that gorgeous red convertible they roll out during the “Greased Lightnin’” number. “It’s like a car they don’t want to get a scratch on.” That metaphor pretty much sums up this production of “Grease.” Pretty but not gritty. Not very sexy. Not the one that I want.
Theater review: "Grease"
Grade: B-
8 Thursday-Saturday. 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sunday. $20-$67.50. Theater of the Stars, Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E, Midtown. 800-982-2787, ticketmaster.com
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