Theater Review:

Chico Theater Com. turns into Rydell High for 'Grease'
By HOLLIE VINSON - The Buzz

Megan Mitchell (from left), Stephanie Bower and Chantal Hazzard (who plays the female lead, Sandy Dumbrowski) share a high-school moment of gossip during a rehearsal of "Grease," now running at Chico Theater Company.(Ty Barbour/The Buzz)

"Grease" is a tribute to being a teenager in the 1950s, when greased hair and leather jackets for teen boys and poodle skirts and slumber parties for teen girls were the most important things in life.

Joe Garrow smartly directed, masterfully choreographed and capably performed in the play on Friday. The opening-night sellout created CTC history, according to Marc Edson, producer and artistic director.

Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey created "Grease" for the stage in 1971. In 1978 the rock 'n' roll musical was turned into a hit movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John.

"Grease" is set in a 1959 American high school.

The show opens on the first day of school at Rydell High. It is the senior year of a group of teens, played by students from Chico and Pleasant Valley high schools.

At the heart of the show are the trials of young love, mainly between the two lead characters of Danny Zuko (played by Jon Eller) and Sandy Dumbrowski (Chantal Hazzard). They have had a summer romance that accidentally boils over into the school year when Sandy shows up as the new girl in school. When classes start, peer pressure keeps them apart. Danny has an image to maintain. He is the leader of the male gang -- the T-Birds.

Brett Chell (who plays Doody, right) strums on the guitar while a chorus sings a song during a rehearsal of "Grease," at Chico Theater Company.(Ty Barbour/The Buzz)

Their counterparts are a gang of girls called the Pink Ladies.

The show includes a Teen Angel, a radio DJ (Garrow), the ever-present nerd Eugene (Dustin Billings) and a peppy cheerleader (Brandy Jackson.) Hazzard shined in her solo, "Hopelessly Devoted To You." Eller gave a standout performance in the song, "Sandy."

Samantha Francis as Betty Rizzo played a perfectly hard-nosed leader of the Pink Ladies. Her lead in the song "Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee" was handled well and added a comic element to the show.

The choreography was one of the outstanding features of this high-energy production. Of note was Bobby Neal, as Kenickie, with his breathtaking acrobatics during the signature song, "Greased Lighting."

Dani Furniss as Cha Cha, costumed in a red poodle dance skirt owned the stage in her dances with Danny during the Act II dance contest with songs by Johnny Casino (Mario Magana.)

Magana's best tune was "Rock 'n' Roll is Here To Stay."

The final song and dance number, "We Go Together," by the entire company wrapped up the story line well and showcased the best talents of everyone.

The cast was fine-tuned under the musical direction of Carol Lane. The wardrobe by Cheri Garrow was perfect 1950's style. The lighting by Joe Garrow and Andy Duch kept the show's action in focus.

On the technical side, set changes took a bit too long, with the audience left in the dark as the curtain was drawn.

There were a few foibles in the vigorous song-and-dance routines, but the young dancers recovered nicely.

The entire cast and crew are to be commended for their entertaining portrayal of the timeless themes of adolescent anxiety, youthful physical vitality told through the pop culture of the 1950s.

The CTC's production of "Grease" created a sense of theatrical fun that has become the hallmark of the family-friendly theater.

"Grease" is being presented 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays through Feb. 3 with 2 p.m. performances Jan. 21 and 28 at Chico Theater Company, 166 E. Eaton Road. Tickets, $20 Friday through Sunday and $15 on Thursday, are available at the box office (noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday), by calling 894-3282 or visiting www.chicotheatercompany. com. Add $2 at the door.