May 22 - June 8, 2013
in Bellport

Dan's Papers - May 31, 2013

Grease is the Word at the Gateway Playhouse
BY GENEVIEVE HORSBURGH

          Summer is finally here, and the Gateway Playhouse in Bellport kicks off its 2013 season with a revival of Grease. The characters you love from the 1978 hit movie starring John Travolta and Oliva Newton John come to life in spectacle of song and dance, as we are transported back to 1959 at Rydell High, where smoking was cool and rock and roll was life.
          The stage version of Grease differs from the movie in many ways. The characters on stage become more dynamic than expected, as we get to see deeper into their lives and the struggles they face as lower-class kids. The production is directed by Grease Broadway alum Ray DeMattis, who famously played Roger the Mooning King (yes, that kind of MOONing), alongside John Travolta on Broadway in the original stage production. With a credit like that backing the show, it’s no surprise Gateway has produced another hit.
          All of your favorite songs from the movie are brought to life, including some that get larger on the stage like “Those Magic Changes,” sung spectacularly by Doody, played by Shawn Platzker, and “Freddy My Love,” which happens to be one of my all-time favorites. Jessica Norland is perfect as Marty, and her rendition of the love song to her boyfriend Freddy is so much fun! I was snapping my fingers and bopping my head along with her and the rest of the Pink Ladies. 
          When the Greasers and the Pink Ladies catch wind of the summer romance between Danny Zuko, played by Sean Gorski, and Sandy Dumbrowski, played by Nikki Bohne, the ugly politics of high school begin to unfold. Holly Ann Butler, who played Rizzo in Grease on Broadway, plays the character of Betty Rizzo to haughty perfection. She’s one bad-ass chick who takes no crap from anyone, including her Greaser boyfriend Kenickie. She has no tolerance for goody-goody Sandy, and her rendition of “Look at me I’m Sandra Dee” is hilarious.
          The love story between Danny and Sandy is stronger in the movie, but we see glimpses of the romance during “Summer Nights,” and we are blasted with the power of the voices from our leading actors. Gorski puts a goofy spin on the character of Danny Zuko, making him more endearing and amusing. As the lovely Sandra Dee, Bohne displays vocals so beautiful and clear she gave me goosebumps throughout the night.
          The awesome musical numbers of the show include: “Born to Hand Jive,” as we get a glimpse into what a high school dance would have been like in the late 1950s (it was hard not to hand jive right along with them!), the hysterical “Beauty School Dropout” featuring Frenchy, who we know has now dropped out of high school and flunked beauty school and Roger the “Mooning King of Rydell” and Jan’s riotously amusing version of “Mooning.”
          Rizzo and Sandy have a moment when Rizzo sings “There Are Worse Things I Could Do,” her response to Sandy’s sympathy towards her rumored pregnancy. Sandy realizes there’s more to life than being prim and proper, and her plan to wow Danny takes root.
          In the finale, “You’re the One That I Want,” Sandy reveals her new “bad-ass” look to Danny and they proclaim their love for one another with all of their friends looking on. The show ends with the same high-energy it began with, and the small but very talented cast had the audience singing and clapping along at the end with “We Go Together.”

Read the original article at: http://danshamptons.com/article/lifestyle/arts-entertainment/grease-is-the-word-at-the-gateway-playhouse/

BroadwayWorld.com - May 29, 2013

BWW Reviews: GREASE at the Gateway
BY MELISSA GIORDANO

          The Gateway's wonderful production of Grease refreshed my fondness for the pop culture staple. Like most people, I was more familiar with the popular movie incarnation that was based on the staged show.
          Kicking off their 64th season, Grease runs through June 8th at the Bellport, Long Island venue. Director Ray DeMattis, who has literally been with Grease since the beginning, has an incredibly talented cast to continue the vision he's been a part of.
          Nikki Bohne of Broadway's Bring It On portrayed Sandy Dumbrowski, an Australian new comer to Rydell High. Ms. Bohne was a wonderful Sandy. Her voice soared beautifully that she didn't even need a microphone at some points. Additionally, Ms. Bohne portrayed Sandy's naïve and youthful demeanor very well. Before heading into their senior year, Sandy meets and spends a memorable summer with Danny Zuko, portrayed by Sean Gorski. Overall, Mr. Gorski gave a very solid portrayal of Danny. Both of their voices were great together, but it seemed, being a new couple, there could have been more of that spark new couples have.
          Another highlight of the cast was Natalie Hyatt as Frenchy. Her over-the-top ditzy take on the Rydell High's drop-out brought many laughs by the sold out audience. Truly, all of the Pink Ladies gang were on point as well. This included Holly Ann Butler (B-ways How to Succeed... and Grease) as Rizzo, Marissa Rosen as Jan, and Jessica Norland as Marty. Ms. Norland gave a stunning performance of "Freddy My Love", one of the songs cut from the movie.   
          The Pink Ladies counter parts, the badass T-Birds, were wonderful as well. Danny Zuko led the gang that included Brandon Espinoza as Kenicke, Matthew Dorsey Moore as Roger, Shawn Platzker as Doody, and Perry Young as Sony LaTierri. Indeed another audience favorite was the guys' wonderful performance of the iconic "Greased Lightnin'".
          Grease is a great, relatable story of teenage angst, love, and just trying to make do in the 1950's. With a beyond talented cast and the beautifully rustic Gateway Theatre, this wonderful production makes for a fun evening of live theatre.
          Grease is presented by The Gateway Performing Arts Center of Bellport, Long Island, running through June 8th. Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and WarRen Casey, Directed by Ray DeMattis, Musical Director Michael Berkeley, Technical and Scenic Direction by Garrett Arnold, Lighting Design by Jose Santiago, Co-Costume Design by Marianne Dominy and Natalie Ferris, Production Stage Management by Nikki Lint, Choreography by Grady McLeod Bowman. For more information and to purchase tickets, please call (631) 286-1133 or visit pacsc.org.

Read the original article at: http://longisland.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-Reviews-GREASE-at-the-Gateway-20130529#
 

Long Island Mamas - May 24, 2013

Review: Grease at the Gateway Playhouse
BY MIKAELA WALKER

          I recently took a trip back to the 50s with the Gateway Playhouse and their production of Grease, and what a journey it was. From the moment I entered the theater I was transported back in time with the 50s sock hop music playing over the speakers.
          From the opening scene to the closing one my niece and I were dancing along with the music and mouthing the words. We have both seen Grease performed at least four times, and we still had a fantastic time.
          Sandy was played convincingly by Nikki Bohne. When she sang Hopelessly Devoted she showed the full range and power of her voice. It simply took my breath away. Danny was played by Sean Gorski with the right combination of coolness and affability. For me though, Holly Ann Butler, who played Rizzo, stole the show. She had the right amount of sass and delivered her one liners with great timing. When she sang There are Worse Things I Could Do, she drew the audience in and I truly felt her pain. The rest of the cast was also good. I was truly impressed that all of the actors had great voices, even those with smaller parts. That has definitely not been the case in other productions that I have seen.
          I wholeheartedly recommend the show as a great afternoon or evening out. Warning: there is some foul language used as the show is performed as it was originally written. Therefore, I wouldn’t take kids younger than 13 to see the performance.
          Grease is playing at the Gateway Playhouse until June 8. Show times vary, so check the website for further information. Ticket prices start at $45 for adults. Students 25 and younger are only $25. Standing Room tickets in the back of the theater are $10 each.

Read the original article at: http://longisland.mamasnetwork.com/2013/05/review-grease-at-the-gateway-playhouse/

 

Long Island Advance - May 23, 2013

Rydell High still reigns at The Gateway
BY LINDA LEUZZI

           When “Grease” debuted in 1971 at Chicago’s Kingston Mines Theatre, the show offered a bare bones story. The characters weren’t fleshed out in detail then, but it did have its rock ‘n’ roll spine with catchy songs like “Greased Lightning,” “Beauty School Dropout” and “We Go Together.” And its concept, teens crazy about their music, cars, sex and finding their true selves eventually evolved into the highspirited smash movie in 1978 with John Travolta and Olivia Newton John, and then a long run on Broadway in 1979. It broke the theater district’s record at the time with 3,388 performances.
          Fear not. Rydell High and 1959 still reigns during a sneak preview at The Gateway Tuesday night.
          Truth usually has staying power and this energetic, joyful production remains close to its roots. Written by former William Howard Taft High School alumnus Jim Jacobs (with Warren Casey) the show was loosely based on his 1950s experiences in the hallways as was tough girl Betty Rizzo.
          Rizzo, played by Holly Ann Butler, is a knockout tough cookie. She rages at boyfriend Kenickie when he jokes about her sexual enthusiasm. Butler imbues Rizzo’s, savvy, street-girl swagger as she challenges Sandy, the virginal newcomer smitten with hottie Danny Zuko. In Rizzo’s song, “There are Worse Things I Could Do,” her liberation and vulnerability anthem, she gets through to Sandy, who’s been tamping down her yearnings for too long. (Butler performed Rizzo on Broadway.)
          The musical centers around Sandy Dumbrowski, played by Nikki Bohne (another Broadway alum; she played Elle Woods in “Legally Blonde”), and actor Sean Gorski’s Danny Zuko, the perfect cocky teen/man. Bohne’s “Hopelessly Devoted to You” is a strong, sweet lament belted out with a catch in her throat.
          Swirling around the will they, won’t they question, are fists full of good-time scenes. “Mooning Over You” with Roger (Matthew Dorsey Moore) and Jan (Marissa Rosen) is a goofy, fun delight. Roger is the Moon King, as in — you guessed it. “Beauty School Dropout” with teen angel CJ Pawlikowski and his hair roller-winged chorus is a hilarious spoof on the merits of staying in school.
          Now for the dance scenes.
          It’s impossible to detail them all in one review, but the hand jive at the high school hop typifies the exuberant, intricate steps folded in most of the musical numbers. The cast claps, hops, spins, and uses hand motions and forward rolls with professional lightness, energy and ease. (And this was their second full rehearsal that day.) Miss Lynch even gets flipped. Bob Fosse’s essence makes its way in some of the show’s choreography, while the ensemble dances collectively as a unit at times. Danny is paired with Cha Cha DiGregorio, the terrific Kara Mikula, in this one.
          Director Ray DeMattis played in the 1973 production at Chicago’s Blackstone Theatre with John Travolta and then during its successful Broadway run. With a storied career in television — including regular appearances on Law and Order — and theatre — he starred in January’s Encore production of “Fiorello” at City Center — DeMattis is steeped in Grease’s legendary success. Before Tuesday night’s sneak preview, the Advance asked what would be different with this production.
          “We are doing something closer to the original,” he answered. “These are blue collar have-not kids, products of first and second generation parents. There was no such thing as collegebound trust fund guarantees. They rebelled and were tough.” DeMattis explained. When the play went on national tour, DeMattis was asked to direct; he did 11 tours, helping to cast newcomers like Patrick Swayze. “When we did the national tours, we had to clean it up tremendously,” he said. “Now we had to introduce children to it and it lost a lot of its grit.”
          The musical is a bit more frank, but these kids still want to run home after stealing hubcaps to watch “Spin and Marty” on the Walt Disney show. And there’s something to be said when 17 characters each have their shining moment. The orchestra, with its drumming rock and roll strains, bluesy sax, pounding keyboard, bass, percussion and guitar, is terrific and keeps up with the excellent cast.
          Bottom line: it’s hard to sit still and not wish you were 17 again.

Read the original article at: http://www.longislandadvance.net/