August 3, 2023 By Roy Harris
Hingham Civic Music Theatre’s dazzling production of “Grease” hits Hingham Town Hall’s Sanborn Auditorium stage Friday and Saturday (Aug. 4-5), the first of two weekends that aim to return audiences to the ‘50s era of rock ‘n’ roll.
As Sandy, Norwell’s terrific Maura McGraw gets romanced by Danny Zuko, played by Quincy’s Shaun Ormond, in songs like “Summer Nights” and “All Choked Up,” in a story that tells of a bygone era in the world of a fictional Rydell High School. Meanwhile, look for Randolph’s Trevor Nataupsky to bring down the house as chief “greaser” Kenickie, leading his gang in the song “Greased Lightning.” Meanwhile, his soulmate Rizzo, Hanson’s Bella Tatem-Welch, touches the heart with “There Are Worse Things I Could Do,” and the deliciously teasing “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee.”
Other familiar songs include “Freddy, My Love,” “We Go Together” and “Those Magic Changes,” all by the ‘70s “Grease” writing team of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.
This production’s stage-rattling “Born to Hand-Jive” dance number is led by Hingham’s Max Wanty, playing Johnny Casino. Also from Hingham: Joao Henrique Ferreira Neto as Sonny, and Angela Kathleen Diatchenko as Cha-Cha, Brendan Hone as Eugene and Connor Hone in the ensemble, with Hull’s Jasmine Netherwood playing Patty.
Malden’s Rylan Vachon makes an enchanting Teen Angel, charmingly leading “Beauty School Dropout,” while Norwell’s Juliana Dennis plays teacher Miss Lynch, and West Bridgewater’s Ethan Child lends his golden voice in the role of disk-jockey Vince Fontaine. Matt Kashdan of Dorchester Center plays Roger, with Magnolia Kunselman of Kingston as Frenchy, Quincy’s Adam McDermott as Doody, and Bridgewater’s Kelly Geraghty as Jan. Also in the 24-person cast: ensemble members Scarlett Hickman of Scituate, Kristina Day of Quincy, Sarah Geraghty of Dorchester, Matt Dean of Whitman, Owen Parker of Easton and Laura Gunning of Randolph.
The show’s director, Nathan Fogg, turns his version of this classic “period musical” into a joyous, constantly moving feast, with pianist and music director Kelly De Pasqua’s band keeping the instrumental energy high from their lair above, and behind, the action. The choreography by Samantha Brior-Jones absolutely rocks, throughout the many fast-moving scene changes. Pat Sherman and Julie Collinge stage-manage this wonderful “Grease.”
Throughout, director Fogg steeps the production in nostalgia, and adds the movie version’s “Hopelessly Devoted to You” to the delightful collection of songs from the original stage version of “Grease.” (As Sandy, Maura McGraw radiates from center-stage in her version “Hopelessly Devoted.”)
“Grease” is, says Fogg, “a perfect summer show” that ties the familiar music together with “some controversial topics such as peer pressure, bullying and teen pregnancy.” Hingham Civic’s curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with final performances at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12, and a 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, matinee.
Tickets are $25, with seniors and student tickets at $20 and group seats available for $15. Tickets are available in advance at https://hcmttickets.ludus.com/index.php. While Friday’s opening night was close to sold-out, tickets to the three later performances may also be available at the door at Hingham’s town hall auditorium, 210 Central St.
But whatever performance you see, be prepared to be swept back into the ‘50s, in a fast-moving show that, director Fogg says, “wraps it all in a familiar bubble-gum/rock-‘n’-roll score that audiences love.”
* * *
Roy Harris, a semi-retired journalist who lives in the World’s End area of Hingham, over 20 years has acted in more than a dozen Hingham Civic Music productions.