Photo by Ella Fischer
For the next two weekends, the Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys of Rydell High School will be joyfully singing and dancing their way through "Grease," one of the world's most beloved musicals, at the Spring Lake Theatre. If this past Sunday's performance is any indication, audiences are in for an exuberant treat.
"Grease" premiered on Broadway in 1972 and was transformed into a film starring Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in 1978. The film was a massive hit and included four songs that were not in the original musical: "Grease," "Hopelessly Devoted to You," "Sandy," and "You're the One That I Want." All four are included in this effervescent production.
Director Andrew Ferrie spoke glowingly of the show and of his cast and production collaborators at a recent dress rehearsal, amid the pre-opening night buzz of mic checks, publicity photos, and backstage camaraderie.
Photo by Ella Fischer
His approach to the production involved "keeping the homage and spirit of Grease," he explained. "People love Grease...its familiarity, its positivity, its energy...all those captivating qualities. it's important to harness that in the cast and in the vision. Here in Spring Lake, it's truly the best of the best. We have Pat Barry who's the producer and the costumer, Andrew Dagostino does all the lights and set design...to collaborate with them and create that environment, first and foremost is the most important thing."
They certainly have done all that and more, with a cast of gifted young triple-threats, whose high-energy acting, singing, and dancing in colorful period costumes across the retro neon-bright set had the audience cheering after every number.
Equally rockin' are the on-stage musicians, led by Musical Director Teddy Kernizan, and the choreography by Christine Baglivio. Not to mention everyone's favorite teen-mobile, Greased Lightnin'.
The "Grease" cast includes a mix of veteran SLT performers and others making their debut on the iconic stage. In casting the show, Ferrie mentioned that the "biggest challenge...is finding a cast that can sustain the energy throughout. The Pink Ladies, the Burger Palace Boys are in almost every number...you have to find 10 people who not only can work really well together chemistry-wise but who also are able to deliver that talent."
The cast lives up to that high bar and then some. "They all do a fantastic job of doing their own discovery of the show, whether it's "Grease Live" or the movie or the numerous revivals, there's so many different productions that have brought Grease back to them."
Photo by Ella Fischer
Indeed, the longevity and love for the show have kept it in our popular culture for more than 50 years. After the original run and film in the 1970's, there were two Broadway revivals (1994-98 and 2007-09) and numerous touring productions, followed by "Grease Live," a live TV broadcast back in 2016 that inspired a new generation of fans.
"I think that's what our younger ones in this cast grew up watching," said Ferrie. "That's what's beautiful about Grease, there's so many different chapters of it."
For his part, Ferrie is happy to have a hand in writing this lively chapter in the show's story, along with his talented colleagues. "This cast is tremendous, the costumes, the lighting. The talent of these individuals is remarkable, the voices are beautiful, it's jarring that they're this good. We're very fortun..."
As if on cue, Jake McNerney, who plays Danny, belts out "I got chills, they're multiplying...!" for his mic check, stopping Ferrie mid-sentence. Chills indeed!
"It's been a really joyful experience to do something that's full of energy and so fun," he concluded, before jumping back into directing duties. Check out "Grease" and you're sure to catch some of that spirit as well.
Performances continue for the next two weekends: October 17, 18. 19, 24, 25, 26, 2025.
For tickets, visit springlaketheatre.com or call the box office at 732-449-4530.
The Spring Lake Theatre is located in the historic Spring Lake Community House, 300 Madison Avenue, Spring Lake.
Suzanne Pisano is a Jersey Shore-based writer and editor with a passion for music and the arts. For more visit Suzannepisano.com
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