GREASE: what to expect of the dive deep down into the 50s
After directing more than 100 shows at Santa Monica College (SMC), director Dr. Adrianne Harrop has decided to bring “Grease,” the musical, back to SMC’s Main Stage theater for spring 2025.
“This is the second time I directed ‘Grease.’ I think the show is fun. It’s a good time,” Harrop said. The last time she put on “Grease” for the SMC Main Stage was in 2000.
Harrop chose “Grease” for its upbeat energy and timeless appeal to the audiences. “I wanted something that would be light and fun, not anything heavy and dark. And the further we get away from the 1950s, the more fun it is,” she said.
“Grease” brought out the director’s passion for seeing the theatrical space enjoyed by a new generation of audiences. “I like the reaction from the audience, and audiences love ‘Grease.’ That’s just the way it is. You can’t lose with ‘Grease,’” Harrop said.
The audience should not only be prepared for a production of theater when they step into the Main Stage hall but for dedicatedly crafted music as well. Harrop feels lucky to work with musical director Gary Gray to make “Grease” happen. “Music is a big part of it. You gotta incorporate the music well into the story,” she said.
“With ‘Grease,’ no matter what kind of production it is, people enjoy it. It’s very often done – because it’s so enjoyable,” Harrop said.
“Grease” cast members shared Harrop’s spirits. Marin Halbert, an SMC psychology major who plays Betty Rizzo in the musical, feels excited about welcoming the audience with touching music and inspiring storylines. “When Sandy and Rizzo have this cute little bonding moment, it’s our two biggest solo songs, back to back,” she said.
While Danny and Sandy’s romance remains the underlying text throughout the play, there is a storyline developed for each and every character. Those characters from “Grease” are designed to move the audience to tears in a fashion that the eponymous movie in a way falls short of, according to Harrop and “Grease” cast members.
“Everybody has their own little love moment. Like Rizzo and Kenickie have theirs; Jan and Roger; Frenchy and Doody. It’s a love story for everyone,” said Katherine Dodge, an SMC theatre arts major who plays Sandy Dombrowski, the protagonist in the musical.
“It’s certainly not as Danny-and-Sandy-focused as the movie is,” said Halbert, agreeing with Dodge.
Harrop and the cast hail a return to the originality of the play, one that can be “shocking” to people who come expecting the movie. “But it’s also a really refreshing take on ‘Grease,’” said Daniela Talleda, an SMC theater arts major who is assuming both roles of assistant stage manager and stage combat choreographer.
“We had a cast member sitting out to watch one day. And she said that people who go in expecting ‘Grease’ are gonna leave ‘disappointed’ – (because) it’s not the movie ‘Grease,’” said Ginger Simpson, an SMC theatre arts major who plays Patty Simcox in the show.
Simpson’s character, Patty, sparkles tons of fun when she appears on stage. She would mess around with the Burger Palace boys, Danny’s buddies. Her movements on stage that were not in the script or blocking would always make her castmates laugh.
“Watching Ginger enter, be onstage and exit stage is definitely one of my favorite things to watch,” Halbert said.
“I told Ginger many times – I love whatever you did today! When it’s something new, something not in the script, I think it’s fun!” Talleda said.
“There is no small character or actor in ‘Grease,’” said Halbert, whose character is the leader of the Pink Ladies, and who felt “envious” about the fun Simpson has on stage.
Talleda, while observing the shows as choreographer, felt amazed by the interpersonal chemistry the actors developed on and offstage. From her perspective, “Grease” is more than the dialogue, which builds the relationships in the script; and more than the blocking, which Harrop has given to already set a great tone for the show.
“Then now the actors are able to, in moments when they don’t even have anything scripted, come up with ways to develop the world even further,” she said.
Like Simpson, the creative freedom is enjoyed by other cast members. A subtle, deliberate approach of directing is taken by Harrop, who would give the actors “concepts” and notes on where to improve, instead of strict directions.
“She has a vision, and she wants to execute it. But she wants you to kind of ‘reach there,’” said Dodge, feeling intensely supported by what Harrop would always suggest – “go bigger.”
“It feels like she views the actors as artists rather than just vessels for her vanity project. And that's so rare and important in a director,” Halbert said.
When Dodge started out with “Grease,” the film version of Sandy was still “stuck in (her) head.” As she progressed into the character, she saw her independence and resilience, just like Halbert who also found out about the vulnerability in Rizzo, despite “the front that (Rizzo) does put on.”
“Actors are creative, and being given that freedom by a director to just try things out is like giving an artist an unlimited canvas,” Telleda said.
The cast and director share mutual appreciation for each other. The foremost challenge the cast has faced is that Harrop’s house burned down in the Palisades fires. “Even once I’m here (on set), I’m still dealing with the fire constantly – the insurance people, and the FEMA people,” Harrop said.
“But the cast has been really helpful and supportive, whom I’m loving. Couldn’t ask for anything more… and very talented!” She said.
What the director and cast all can’t stop talking about is how fun “Grease” is – “It’s a fun show, and fun songs, too!” Halbert said.
“Grease” can be viewed at the SMC Main Stage theater on March 28 and 29 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., March 30 from 2 to 4 p.m., April 4 and 5 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., and April 6 from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission is $30 for general, $25 for seniors (62+), and $18 for SMC students and staff with a valid school ID. Sales end one hour prior to the show’s start time. Tickets can be purchased at www.smc.edu/calendar/tickets-theatre-arts.php.