By TR Robertson Photos by Karli Cadel
After a 25-year absence the popular musical “Grease” has returned to the Moonlight Amphitheatre Stage to open their 44th Season and the almost sold-out crowd in attendance was ready to rock out. One group of ladies in attendance were ready to party as they wandered around the grounds in their embroidered Pink Lady jackets. The musical, with music, lyrics, and book by Jim Jacobs and Warren Carey, was first performed on February 5, 1971, in the Kingston Mines Nightclub in Chicago, introducing the audience to the issues of teen rebellion, peer pressure, teen pregnancy, gangs and a myriad of other teen issues. The title “Grease” comes from a reference to a youth sub-culture from the 1950’s known as Greasers, referring to the slicked back hair style for that time period. The setting of Rydell High is said to be a tribute to Teen Idol Bobby Rydell. The first version of “Grease” was a much different version than the Moonlight crowd would see on their stage. The first version was considered a bit raunchy, aggressive, with foul language throughout the performance. As “Grease” made it to Broadway, the creators of the musical toned down the show. It has even turned into an appropriate PG version for schools that is performed yearly in schools throughout the country. “Grease” opened on Broadway on June 7, 1972, at the Broadhurst Theatre, finally closing on April 13, 1980, at the Majestic Theatre after 3,388 performances. Several revivals of the musical have appeared throughout the country in community stages, like Moonlight Amphitheatre. The musical led to a 1978 feature film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John that was well received and a not so well received “Grease 2” film. The musical was nominated for 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and won a Theatre World Award and 2 Drama Desk Awards.
The audience in attendance would see the adaptation Moonlight Stage Productions brought to the stage, which still included the memorable songs the musical included still popular today. The slight difference in the Moonlight version from the Original Broadway version was the inclusion of the song “Hopelessly Devoted to You” sung by Sandy in Act I and Danny singing “Sandy” in Act II with “Alone at a Drive-in Movie” dropped as well as “All Choked Up”. Also, the Moonlight version included “You’re the One That I Want” sung by Sandy and Danny toward the end of Act II and moving the popular “Born to Hand Jive” ahead of “It’s Raining” toward the beginning of Act II. Even with all of this the musical was still an energetic, fast paced, toe tapping and hand clapping version that had the audience ready to stand up and dance. Speaking with Producing Artistic Director Steven Glaudini, he said he was extremely excited about the great performances of the cast members and loved the energy and diversity of the cast they had brought to the stage.
The 26-member cast had one amazing large group dance routine after another. Portraying Danny Zuko is Anthony Carro and portraying Sandy Dumbrowski is Camie Del Rosario. They stood out with powerful performances of songs like “Summer Nights” and Camie singing “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and Anthony singing “Sandy”. Other cast members with great performances were Eli Wood, as Johnny Casino, leading the high-energy song “Born to Hand Jive” that had the audience ready to join in the performance on stage. Another stand out performance was by Naomi Tiana Rodgers, as Teen Angel, as she belted out “Beauty School Dropout”. Humor was provided by Jasmine January and Chase Lowry as Jan and Roger. Giovanna Martinez played Rizzo, the Pink Lady with an attitude as she sang “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” and “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee”. Aaron Gibbs as Kenickie and his T-Bird friends sing “Greased Lightnin” complete with jumps, flips and energetic routines around the convertible. Aaron Stewart, as radio DJ Vince Fontaine, got the party started with a pre-show performance for the crowd playing songs on the piano and singing songs dedicated to various audience members. He sang “Unchained Melody” to a couple celebrating their 51st wedding anniversary and then finished his performance with “Great Balls of Fire” that would have made Jerry Lee Lewis proud.
A musical like “Grease” needs a great band and Music Director Lyndon Pugeda had his eight-member band ready to keep the music flowing. The Director and Choreographer for “Grease is Nikki Snelson. The other Company Members responsible for presenting this fun musical included Video Designer Austin Dycus, Set Designer Stephen Gifford, Sound Designer Jordan Gray, Hair & Wig Designer Peter Herman, Lighting Designer Ryan Marsh, Stage Manager Stanley D. Cohen and Assistant Stage Managers Meagan Pitcher and TJ Yurick.
“Grease” will be on the Moonlight stage until May 17. Tickets are available by calling 760-724-2110 or go to www.moonlightstage.com . Next at Moonlight will be “Waitress” beginning June 4th. Moonlight Stage Productions has also released their 2026 45th season which can be seen by going online.
