Grease the Musical fans of all ages can enjoy rocking with the gang from Rydell High at Her Majesty’s Theatre until March 14.
This show is presented by John Frost for Crossroads Live Australia. 1950s dressed patrons enhance the atmosphere, ready to enjoy the show’s familiar tunes, rendered with gusto by Dave Skelton’s orchestra.
Luke Joslin’s sharp-edged, pacey direction and Eric Giancola’s snappy choreography create a high energy production, outpacing the slower ’50s era, but delighting modern-day audiences.
Trudy Dalgleish’s intrinsically timed, vibrant lighting design is a strong player in the show’s aesthetics, complemented by James Browne’s theatrically colourful, creative costumes.
The triple-threat vocal/dance/acting talents of the young lead performers are fantastic, but emphasis on vocal/dance work for principal characters in this interpretation risks diminished character development.
Annelise Hall (Sandy) and Joseph Spanti (Danny Zuko) are well cast in the iconic lead roles, joined by more splendid performers – Mackenzie Dunn (Rizzo), Brianna Bishop (Marty), Keanu Gonzalez (Kenickie), Lucy Fraser (Patty) and Gareth Isaac (Eugene), Catty Hamilton (Frenchy), Caitlin Spears (Jan), with Andy Seymour (Roger), Harry Targett (Sonny) and Tom Davis (Doody), supported by a dynamic, talented ensemble.
Personable Jay Laga’aia is Vince Fontaine, popular Patti Newton plays Miss Lynch, and Marcia Hines makes a stunning, glittery appearance as Teen Angel.
Sandy’s transformation in this interpretation was more exaggerated and raunchier than other Grease versions seen, which I felt was questionable considering the show’s enthusiastic young audience members.
The controversial message conveyed regarding Sandy’s transformation has remained the same since the first version seen in 1972 at Melbourne’s Metro Theatre, presented by Harry M Miller, but is usually implemented with skilled subtlety.
Show standouts for me were Mackenzie Dunn’s heartfelt, dynamic portrayal of Betty Rizzo, Marcia Hines’ moving performance, and the spectacular, fabulously staged Greased Lightning number.
It is terrific to see Grease the Musical return to the Australian stage.
Until March 14.
Her Majesty’s Theatre, Melbourne.

• Review by Cheryl Threadgold