I’ve got chills, they’re multiplying, and I’m losing control... because it’s time for Greased Lightning.
The story of Grease, made popular through its film version featuring Olivia Newton John and John Travolta as lovebirds Sandy and Danny, is coming to the UAE, from today until April 13, where the high school musical will play out on the Dubai World Trade Centre’s stage.
Centring around the relationships between members of the Pink Ladies and the t-birds (Burger Palace Boys on the live stage) cliques, the show promises to be nostalgia inducing.
But before we head out, pink and black jackets in tow, we spoke to the current leads, Justin Thomas (bad boy Danny) and Jessica Paul (goody-two-shoes Sandy), about what Grease means to them and why they feel the play, set in 1950s America, is a classic. Thomas explained that this is the Grease we know with a difference. “The version of the show we are doing was first done in Chicago, before the film [was shot in 1978].”
The first edition, written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, was performed in the Windy City in 1971. Both the play and big-screen version are set in Rydell High School, and deal with the teen years, their trials and tribulations and the transformations they inspire in a person. Forget love triangles and huge action sequences: this tale deals with personal growth.
And the themes resonated so deeply with audiences that since its inception, “more than 123,000 different productions of the stage musical have been mounted around the world,” reports Vanity Fair.
The act coming to Dubai, directed by Nikolai Foster, is “the original-original version.”
It’s got tunes that are, of course, well known such as There Are Worse Things I Could Do [Rizzo’s poignant song on flirtation] and Summer Nights [Sandy and Danny’s brilliant duet that ends in a seemingly impossible high note]. But it’s also got a few unfamiliar numbers. “I do like How Big I’m Going To Be, which is a song Danny sings. It’s [new]. It’s not in the film, or in the previous version of it [Grease],” says Thomas, when asked about his favourite moment in the show.
But the additions haven’t marred the experience, they’ve probably helped the actors shape their own — often daunting — version of the roles. “You have to live up to the expectation of what everyone’s expecting to see. At the same time, it’s fun to make the characters our own, you know,” explained Thomas.
Fortunately, say the actors, the narrative is one that is sure to resonate. “It’s all about the life of teenager. It shows massive journeys. Sandy, my character, transforms herself. She becomes very empowered. I think we can all relate to that,” explained Paul.
“Essentially the story is a love story. [And] the whole story is about friendship, which everyone can relate to. The love story between Danny and Sandy, or Rizzo and Nikki, all of those aspects of the show, again I think different people, with what they’ve been through in their lives, can relate to different parts of it,” said Thomas.
It can’t be easy though, sauntering in the shoes of Zuko, bad boy with a heart of gold, but with a fear of dousing his reputation — Travolta decimated the macho man act.
“The hardest thing is finding your own version of the character. It would be very [easy] to try and replicate a version that’s been done before. And it would not be true to the part... whereas, if you let the character do the self apparel, like, I’ve had an experience, and try to put that into the character, I feel it will always be true to yourself and to the character,” explained Thomas.
“We all have our own approach in what we want to bring to the table with that so that’s been probably the most fun part of the show during rehearsals. Trying to find my version of Danny Zuko and Jess’ version of Sandy, rather than trying to replicate anything done previously.”
Getting into character
Paul heads into the process, and explains it from scratch. “While you are reading the script, you can find your own way, like, how you want to say the line. And how you think the character will be at that moment in time, without trying to think too much about the film.
“These characters — myself playing Sandy, she is my character, and I’m not Olivia Newton John. With this show we’ve been given the freedom to do that [make the roles our own],” said Paul.
Theatre is a competitive business and getting that lead role is a tough act. When it comes to auditions, it can be a gruelling time, but the actors are full of praise for the director; Paul goes so far as to call the process of casting, “lovely.”
“Nikolai, our director, made us feel very relaxed, which is wonderful. We sang a few songs and we did some scene work with him.”
And they did some writing work, too. To see their efficiency and understanding of the parts they were trying out for, the director had them write monologues. “Did that in the room, did scenes, sang songs from the show, so it was a very pain-free process,” said Thomas.
“Nikolai has exactly in his head what he’s after, [that] makes the audition process very easy. Sometimes, it can be very tiring when you go back for other shows, sometimes you are called back, maybe four-five times.”
And director Foster is pleased with his cast as well. “Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s musical provides a gripping snapshot of a country on the cusp of social change, all set to one of the greatest rock ‘n’ roll scores ever written. We couldn’t be more thrilled with our super-cool Grease cast and production team who are bringing this timeless story of adolescence to the UAE,” he says in a statement.
Paul and Thomas’ voice perk up at the mention of their gig in Dubai. They explain that a lot of the cast hasn’t been here before.
One place they are really looking forward to? “Burj Khalifa,” comes the immediate response from Thomas.
The duo have a special message for the people of UAE. “Come ready to have a good time, enjoy yourselves. And that’s what we are there to do,” said Thomas.
And now, the best part: you can sing along. “There’s an opportunity to join in at the end, it’s very relaxed,” said Paul.
Like I said: I’ve got chills, they’re multiplying...
Don’t miss it!
Grease The Musical runs between April 7 and April 13 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Tickets start at Dh150.
