Published: May 03, 2008 11:21 pm      

MLT’s ‘Grease’ — one slick evening

Opening night of the final production of Meridian Little Theatre’s 2007-2008 season and the audience was packed. The curtain was open on a set complete with high school lockers on the second floor of the set, and a banner welcoming alumni back to their alma mater hung in the back. The scene was set for a trip back to iconic Rydell High and the cast of characters we all know and love. And you knew you’d traveled back in time when Ms. Lynch, Rydell High’s Principal (Virgie Palmer) entered chastising audience members for chewing gum, warning them not to put that gum under their seat! (Remember when chewing gum in school was a major offense?)

We meet the entire company in the first scene, a rousing number with stunning choreography and a great use of every level of the set — dancers were everywhere! There was no need for an elaborate set for this production, the characters fill every inch of the stage and bring it magically to life.

The two main characters, Sandy and Danny, were ably portrayed by MLT veterans, Sarah Margaret Huff and Jeremy Sande. “Summer Nights” allowed both to establish their characters. Huff’s Sandy is sweet and innocent and her rendition of “Hopelessly Devoted to You” was poignant. Sande did a great job with the role of crusty-on-the-outside, cream puff-on-the-inside, Danny. The juxtaposition of Danny in a leather jacket with that of him in a track suit couldn’t help but make you smile. While Huff has had lots of dance experience, Sande could cut a rug as well!

I can’t say enough about the supporting cast. Every actor was strong for both song and dance. Diana Eggler as Rizzo, Keith Farmer as Kenickie, Jamie Ford as Marty, Alex Goldman as Doody, Daniel Johnson as Sonny, Lauren Reves as Jan, Mary Lela Valentine as Frenchy kept the show moving at a lively pace.

Scene stealers Hallie Majure Phillips, Joseph Johnson, Chase Neal, and Bennie Jean Fortenberry were especially delightful. Phillips’ over-the-top perky cheerleader, Patty; Johnson’s endearingly geeky Eugene; Neal’s moon, and Fortenberry’s ditsy school secretary provided laugh after laugh after laugh. They couldn’t have done any better.

As someone who dreams of one day having a candy apple red, convertible mid-life crisis, when Kenickie’s car of his dreams, Greased Lightning, rolled on stage with its headlights on bright, I couldn’t help but be swept away! This famous scene was quickly followed by the entire cast in an unforgettable end to the first act with “We Go Together.” Again, the singing and dancing couldn’t be topped; it was first class all the way.

(I won’t give away everything, but in the second act Earl Aycock makes an appearance in “Beauty School Dropout” which is slightly reminiscent of a Victoria’s Secret runway show that you just don’t want to miss.)

The orchestra was top notch, perfectly capturing the mood of the music of that ‘wop bop a loo bop’ era everyone enjoys going back to visit. Jimmy Pigford never fails to deliver. He faithfully delivers one wonderful theatrical experience after another.

Tickets are scarce for the Sunday afternoon and Tuesday and Wednesday night performances, but another show has been added for 8 p.m. Thursday night — don’t miss your opportunity to see another outstanding MLT production. Call the box office Monday thru Thursday at 601-482-6371 for ticket information. When it comes to musicals, ‘Grease’ is “The One That You Want!”