When fans of "Grease" leave the Benedum Center humming "You're the One That I Want" they're likely thinking as much about the production as the song itself.
Those who believe they were born to hand jive -- ticket sales as well as opening night audience enthusiasm indicates there are a lot of them -- are almost certain to love this production.
Set in the now distant and legendary year of 1959, this musical comedy follows the loves, dreams, delusions, rivalries and relationships of greaser guys, in-crowd Pink Ladies and a sprinkling of nerds, class clowns and cheerleaders during their senior year at Rydell High School.
The show is a popular staple at high schools and community theaters so it's only natural that parents, grandparents, teachers and scout leaders have nary a qualm about taking youngsters to see this show.
Faulty memories or sanitized productions may not have prepared them for the raunch and language they will encounter here.
Members of Rydell High School's class of 1959 smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol to excess, swear and deliver enough middle finger salutes that it's a wonder that the ever watchful teacher/hall monitor/chaperone Miss Lynch doesn't drop dead from heart palpitations.
There are abundant but not overt indications that a whole lot of sex is going on off-stage, One scene is driven by Betty Rizzo's concern that she may be pregnant and the climax of the show suggests that girls who want to be popular and accepted in high school should tart themselves up and prepare to put out.
The clearly satisfied customers streaming out of the Benedum may be oblivious or don't care about those disclaimers.
It's easy to overlook them in a show that clearly works overtime to entertain.
This is a big, well-produced national touring production with a huge cast of 26 headed by Josh Franklin and Lauren Ashley Zakrin as the cute but ambivalent young lovers Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski.
Along for the ride is American Idol winner Taylor Hicks in the tiny cameo part of Teen Angel. Those coming to see Hicks should know that his role in the show is small â€" a nicely rendered but single song in the second act â€" plus a showcase appearance during the curtain call.
Even Dominic Fortuna, who plays DJ Vince Fontaine, gets far more exposure, especially as he's on stage alone for an amusing 10-minute pre-show during which he interacts with and warms up the audience to great success and applause.
Performers such as Laura D'Andre as Betty Rizzo, David Ruffin as Kenickie, Bridie Carroll as Jan and Will Blum as Roger turn their secondary characters into real, recognizable people.
Broadway choreographer and director and former Pittsburgher Kathleen Marshall pumps the show full of lots of action and high-kicking, fast stepping, clever dance numbers.
Scenic designer Derek McLane provides colorful, clever set pieces, notably Danny's car that transforms before our eyes from rust-bucket clunker to a candy apple red vehicle worthy of the name Greased Lightning and the oversize drive-in diner decor ice cream cone from which Hicks as Teen Angel makes his act two appearance.
Costume designer Martin Pakledinaz and wig and hair designer Paul Huntley contribute the pencil skirts, leather jackets, crinoline puffed dresses and the bangs, pony tails and pompadours that enhance period and character.
The strength of this enduring musical is in its score, created by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey with additional songs by Barry Gibb, John Farrar, Louis St. Louise and Scott Simon.
This national touring production of the 2007 Broadway revival includes songs from the original 1972 stage production such as 'AoeSummer Nights,'A 'AoeGreased Lightning'A and 'AoeWe Go Together'A as well as four more â€" 'AoeSandy,'A 'AoeHopelessly Devoted to You,'A 'AoeGrease'A and 'AoeYou'Are the One That I Want," â€" that were part of the 1978 hit movie version.
The result is a whole lot of head bobbing going on as audience members of a certain age mouth the catchy lyrics along with other theatergoers who are a whole lot too young to remember the '50s first hand.
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