THEATER REVIEW: Grease

 Millbrook Playhouse is celebrating 50 years of providing true professional summer stock theater in Mill Hall, Pennsylvania. This year's opening show was GREASE, which played to two weeks of sold-out audiences.

I was very proud of Bellefonte resident Jessica Brown as she made her professional acting debut. Jessica is a senior at Bellefonte High School where she was most recently seen as Ensign Nellie Forbush in South Pacific.

Director Michael Schloegl, who also was responsible for the terrific choreography, put together an ensemble that made the audience forget the big names from the movie version of GREASE.

It really was an ensemble cast. Each actor did his or her solo to cheers from the audience. When Johnny Haussener as Doody took the stage with “Those Magic Changes”, I thought that we had seen the scene stealer of the evening; but, then we had Sarah Michelle Cuc and Josh Millhouse with the delightful duet “Mooning”. 

Casey Shane and Erin Long as Danny and Sandy could do it all; they sang, danced and acted. All of the characters were so well defined. Jen Morris as Frenchy, Lizzie Harless as Marty, Brian Lose as Sonny, and Matt DaSilva as Kenickie were great. I am looking forward to seeing what other talents these young actors bring to Millbrook.

Talking about scene-stealers Richard Guido as Principal Miss Lynch is a solid one….but, then he usually is. The surprise of the evening was Timothy Hibbler. His transformation from Eugene, the nerd, to the super cool Teen Angel had to be seen to be believed.

photo courtesy of Millbrook Playhouse

For me the high light of GREASE is Rizzo. The actress playing the part has to be able to do two very different solos. Ayelet Firstenberg was more than capable. Her “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee” was tough and sarcastic and her “There Are Worse Things I Could Do” was heartfelt. Excellent job. 

Tonight is the final performance of GREASE.  Score a ticket if you can.  Come Blow Your Horn is currently playing in their Cabaret Theatre and Sound of Music opens June 28^th on the Main Stage. Check them out at www.millbrookplayhouse.org or call 570-748-8088 for tickets. It is worth the short trip to Mill Hall.