BWW Reviews: GREASE at the Gateway

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 hiatt as Frenchy. Her over-the-top ditzy take on the famous beauty school 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.

Photo by Jeff Bellante.: Left to Right: Holly Ann Butler (Betty Rizzo), Natalie hiatt (Frenchy), Nikki Bohne (Sandy Dumbrowski), Jessica Norland (Marty) and Marissa Rosen (Jan)