August 9, 2023 By Roy Harris
After Hingham Civic Music Theatre’s “Grease” got rave reviews on its nearly-sold-out opening weekend, the hit classic-rock musical is set to close its run Saturday (Aug. 12), with a final Sunday matinee (Aug. 13) at Town Hall’s Sanborn Auditorium.
Says the show’s veteran director, Nathan Fogg, “I think audiences are really responding to the high energy and authenticity the cast is bringing to the show.” He adds, “The talent level in this production of ‘Grease’ is unsurpassed, and the dedication to giving an honest performance shines through.”
At the performance that this writer saw, familiar hits like “Summer Nights,” “Beauty School Dropout,” “Freddy My Love,” and “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee”—were indeed outstanding. But the show's youthful actors brought a special level of excitement to other songs as soon as the spotlight hit them.
Randolph’s Trevor Nataupsky, as Kenickie, wowed the audience as his gang’s version of “Greased Lightning” raced across the stage. Later, Kenickie’s girlfriend Rizzo, played by Hanson’s Bella Tatem-Welch, charmingly delivered her explanation of the complications of teen life in “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.”
Love songs known to so many “Grease” fans from the hit 1978 John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John movie version were no less exciting. One stellar example was “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” sung by Norwell’s Maura McGraw, as Sandy, to her heartthrob, Quincy’s Shaun Ormond, playing Danny Zuko. (The song wasn’t part of the original stage version of the show, but was incorporated in this production by director Fogg.) And then there were comic numbers like “Mooning,” hilariously performed by Dorchester Center’s Matt Kashdan, as Roger, to Bridgewater’s Kelly Geraghty, as his girlfriend Jan.
And the whole 24-person cast, along with choreographer Samantha Brior-Jones, deserves credit for the show-stopping dance number by Rydell High School's student body: “Born to Hand-Jive.” Music direction was by Kelley DePasqua, leading the band from the piano. The show’s producer was Pat Sherman, with Julie Collinge stage-managing. Music for the show is by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.
Saturday’s performance begins at 7:30 p.m., with the closing Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Tickets are $25, with seniors and student tickets $20, and group seats for $15. They are available in advance at https://hcmttickets.ludus.com/index.php. Any remaining tickets will be available at the Sanborn Auditorium door at Hingham Town Hall, 210 Central St.
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Roy Harris, who lives in the World’s End area of Hingham, has performed in numerous Hingham Civic Music Theatre productions over the years.