Grease

Grease
By Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Studio2Stage and Phoenix Theatre. Directed by Jodie Innes. Phoenix Theatre, Hamilton Hill, WA. 13 – 27 Jan 2017

It seems fitting that the community theatre year in WA was kicked off with this bright youth production, Grease, presented by Studio2Stage and Phoenix Theatre. This year appears to be the ‘Year of the Youth Musical’ with teen and tween productions of Camp Rock, Calvin Berger, Once Upon a Mattress and Mulan Jnr following hot on its heels.

Studio2Stage’s show is brimming with energy and enthusiasm and life and had attracted a young and cheerful audience. Featuring a cast of 13 to 18 year olds, it had much to like.

Rebecca Collin and Liam Pini took on the roles of Sandy and Danny and while looking exactly as we expected, wisely resisted the urge to copy previous incarnations, making their own interpretations of the characters and working well together.

Kel Camponova and Lincoln Tapping stood out as Rizzo and Kenicke, delivering very mature performances and making a beautifully believable couple. Kel looks like a young Elizabeth Taylor and Lincoln is a charmer, with hints of the Everly Brothers, who improvised beautifully through the post-interval raffle.

Great team-work from the T’Birds – with Tim McClelland (Doody), Edan Frazer (Roger) and Rudi Palmela (Sonny) creating distinct personalities and delivering some impressive dance moves under the guidance of choreographer Mikaela Innes. The Pink Ladies were vibrant with Phillipa Bialas rocking her pink hair as Frenchy, Ruby Thoms a sweet Jan and Mia Frazer (just 13) delighting as Marty, her Freddy My Love being a show highlight.

Supporting cast were working hard, with Laura Foster an energised Patty, Lachlan Felstead an appropriately awkward Eugene, Emmalee Bialis owning the cameo of Cha Cha and Elias Shoosmith creating a smarmy Vince Fontaine and a vibrantly ethereal Teen Angel. Lili Thoms nicely managed 17 going on 47 as Miss Lynch, in a role that is becoming somewhat of a specialty for Lili.

Simply set by the director, the show features lighting and sound by Alexander Coutts-Smith and Mikaela Innes, efficiently operated by Bryan and Michelle Shoosmith.  A young crew and a happy and welcoming Front-of-house team, in an expertly decorated foyer, add to the lovely atmosphere.

A fun way to kick off your theatre year. Congratulations Studio2Stage, Phoenix and the Grease team.

Kimberley Shaw

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