The Grease Parody

Vape!

One of the most popular of all the American musical classics is Jim Jacobs’ and Warren Casey’s much-enjoyed, much-produced, tuneful and nostalgic satire of Chicago high school life during the 1950’s. And unless you’ve been living under a rock you know that the musical was adapted in 1978 into the highest grossing movie musical of all time. It starred Aussie actress and pop star, Olivia Newton-John, and “Saturday Night Fever” favorite actor/singer/dancer, John Travolta. So, in addition to becoming an international staple for both amateur and professional theatre groups alike, the film has gone down in history as an international favorite flick.

But just when we thought that the film of “Grease” was the ultimate, a big, bombastic and bodacious parody of the movie arrives from Off-Broadway to take up residence at the Apollo Theater Chicago. VAPE! THE GREASE PARODY takes the iconic film and overhauls the story and the characters. This 

85-minute musical parody is a very funny updated version about the kids at Rydell High School. The fast-paced show is filled with all kinds of unexpected surprises, while the production features all the classic tunes (with new lyrics) that devoted fans of “Grease” have come to know and love.

The parody was a group effort, with plenty of experience with parodies. The show was written by Catie Hogan, with contributions by Leanna Adams, John D. Babcock III, Casey Holloway, Julie Shaer and Brian Troxell. New, contemporary lyrics for the familiar film score, as well as additional book material, are by Billy Recce and Danny Salles. The Chicago production, which features a fresh, talented cast based in the Windy City and nearby, was directed by Jack Plotnick (the co-writer and director of the highly successful parody, and a New York Critics’ Pick, DISASTER!). He utilizes the entire Apollo stage wisely, even staging the show up and down the aisles. The bouncy, buoyant dance moves, which often mimic the steps and moves of the original, come courtesy of gifted choreographer Ashley Marinelli (whose work with Broadway’s AMERICAN PSYCHO was fantastic). And New York based orchestrator and composer, Lena Gabrielle, has done a fine job, as always, with music supervision and arrangements for VAPE! 

The story from the original “Grease” is familiar to most theatergoers. VAPE! injects lots of new and contemporary terminology and references into both the script and song lyrics. In addition to lots of vaping, there are plenty of references to podcasts, computers, social influencing, web sites, gummies, artificial intelligence, smartphones, dating apps, hybrid vehicles (think Prius) and modern celebrities. Topics like the LGBT+ lifestyle, rehab, the Me Too Movement, prejudice, menopause, sex and body image, as well as a few references to other films and TV shows. All things considered, because of the adult areas the musical wades around in, I’d say that VAPE! THE GREASE PARODY isn’t really recommended for theatergoers under 14 years of age. But for adults and young people who know and love the movie, this is prime time fun.

The hardworking cast of eight is sensational. Recently relocating from Texas to Chicago, Jenna Smith (COMPANY, Madkap Productions; PETER PAN, Chicago Kids Company) makes an ideal Sandy. She plays the transfer student from Australia by imitating Olivia Newton-John, with a thick Aussie accent. Unfortunately sometimes Ms. Smith’s dialogue is a bit difficult to understand. Her character, however, is hilariously enmeshed with the Daryl Hannah mermaid character, from the film “Splash” because, you know, we first meet Sandy at the beach.

Wisconsinite Will Leonard (SUNNY AFTERNOON, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre; SOUTH PACIFIC, Paramount) is equally adept at playing Danny, Sandy’s high school paramour. He does his best impersonation of John Travolta as he performs, sings and dances with teenage energy. Will is particularly priceless when, trying to impress Sandy, he dresses as a giant rabbit, the school mascot. His ballad at the drive-in movie, “Sandy,” is great, but his  “Greased Lightning” number is one of the show’s highlights.

The remaining six cast members each portray a multitude of characters. Corey Barlow (FROZEN, Paramount; BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROL KING MUSICAL, Marriott) is very funny as Sonny, the gang member no one seems to remember. But he’s particularly delightful in drag as spitfire dancer, Cha Cha DiGregorio, who is  especially “Born to Hand Jive.” Shea Hopkins (INTO THE WOODS, Kokandy; ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY, Blank) primarily plays Kenickie, Danny’s best friend (and maybe more). But he also plays other characters, in particular he’s the puppeteer operating the Muppet who represents cheerleader Patty Simcox.

The Pink Ladies are played by four very talented young actresses. As Frenchy & others, enthusiastic Mai Hartwich (SOUTH PACIFIC, Paramount; URINETOWN, Theo Ubique) is blithe and bouncy every time she bursts onto the stage. Effervescent Emma Dunlop (ALL NIGHTER, The Village Theatre) plays Jan  & Others with a huge hunger for snacks, as well as for her friends’ companionship. Portraying Marty & Others, Sexy Sophia Brazda moved to the Windy City from Louisiana, and is an ensemble member of Chicago’s Second City (THE CHAOS THEORY OF EVERYTHING) In addition to Marty, Ms. Brazda plays a glitzy showgirl-style Teen Angel, leading the cast in a clever parody of “Beauty School Dropout,” and sung to Frenchy. 

But, as Betty Rizzo & Others, veteran comedian, actress, writer and podcast host Suzanne Sole is the standout star of this production. Cast a little older than her fellow actors, Ms. Sole also pricelessly portrays elderly Miss Lynch, the befuddled Principal of Rydell High. But her turn as the somewhat raunchy Rizzo is truly spot on. She’s both tough and, at times, touching; and Suzanne really knows her way around all the songs and dances, especially her parody of “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee” and “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.”

This the kind of show that speaks to every adult who fell in  love with the movie, “Grease.” From Boomers to Gen Z, theatergoers will absolutely enjoy the cheery and chipper energy of this smart production. David Goldstein’s cartoonish scenic design and Matthew Solomon’s detailed and parodied costumes are inspired. The production is a clever, well-written and professionally performed satire of all the characters, dialogue and songs in the film version of “Grease.” 

The only problem is that too often it’s hard to understand the actors. Maybe the fast-paced dialogue makes their diction a little sloppy. Or it could be that the Apollo venue itself has acoustic dead spots. But in both the book scenes and the song lyrics, it was often difficult to know what the characters are saying or singing, especially in the group numbers. Most of the individual singers, Suzanne Sole especially, could be understood with no problem. So I’m not sure if this is a problem for the actors or the sound designer, or both. But if the problem can be fixed, audiences will be flocking to VAPE! THE GREASE PARODY           

Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 20-January3 at the Apollo Theater Chicago, 2550 N. Lincoln Ave.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, TodayTix, via the Vape!The Musical Official Website, or in person at the Apollo box office

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos by Michael Brosilow