BWW Reviews: GREASE at Paper Mill Playhouse - Fantastic Fun on Millburn's Stage

Paper Mill Playhouse's production of Grease is a great way to kick off your summer with an amazing musical. Whether it's your first time seeing this popular hit show or you want to experience the magic again, this all-new production is sure to delight area audiences with its creative staging and remarkable cast. "Grease is the word" on the Millburn stage through June 29th.

With book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, Grease is directed by Daniel Goldstein, choreography by Joann M. Hunter, and musical direction by Brad Simmons. The production is a total celebration of the fabulous fifties; young love, fast cars, a drive-in theater and the high school dance.

Taylor Louderman is picture-perfect as the naive teen, Sandy Dumbrowski. As a newcomer to Rydell High School, she is surprised to meet her summer fling, the ever-cool and popular heartthrob, Danny Zuko (Bobby Conte Thornton). The two young stars are ideal in their roles as they perform favorites like Summer Nights and You're the One that I want.

Danny and Sandy's story has plenty of ups and downs, but they're not the only ones who are experiencing teen drama. There's Frenchy (Dana Steingold) who leaves high school for beauty school, Rizzo (Morgan Weed) with her rocky relationship with Kenicke (Shane Donovan), and Marty (Tess Soldau) who is looking for Mr. Right. And, it's easy to relate to Roger (Matt Wood) as he makes his awkward, but charming advances to Jan (Leela Rothenberg).

Grease' s Signature songs like Summer Nights, Greased Lightin' and Born to Hand-Jive show off this company's abundant song and dance talent. And, there are stand-out performances including the glitzy Beauty School Dropout number sung by Telly Leung as Teen Angel and Rizzo's solo, There Are Worse Things I Could Do. The full company finale, We Go Together brings the show full circle with an exhilarating finish.

Gather your group and head over to Paper Mill Playhouse for a show you will remember long after the curtain call. You will be humming Grease's fabulous tunes and relishing the memory of this colorful stage show, known as the world's #1 musical. For tickets, call (973) 376-4343, visit the playhouse box office at 22 Brookside Drive, Millburn or go online at www.papermill.org.

Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy