When the name Grease the Musical is over the theatre door – you know you are in for a good night.
Back on tour, the musical is now showing at Oxford’s New Theatre until Saturday September 28th.
Injecting sunshine into a very wet Oxfordshire, the show was bright, fun and very entertaining.
We were taken back to 1959 Rydell High School, to young lovers Sandy and Danny, who are saying goodbye after a summer holiday romance. But Sandy is going no-where and Danny gets a shock when she turns up at his school. Meet the Pink Ladies, the Burger Place Boys and laugh and cry as the teens experiment with love, lust, friendship and rebellion.
But for us, it was the music, we were toe-tapping throughout and desperate to join in with those classic tunes, from Summer Nights, to Greased Lightening, Hand Jive, Sandra Dee, We Go Together and of course You’re the One that I want.
The producers have mixed things up a bit with the ordering, and thrown in some new tunes, and we loved it. The cast were great – Marley Fenton as Danny Zuko, Hope Dawe at Sandy Dumbrowski and Rebecca Stenhouse as Betty Rizzo, Ben Nicholas as Kenickie. Watch out for Vince Fontaine, played by Joe Gash, who was fabulous and fun, if not a little risqué.
The show closed with the medley and that was the invitation the audience needed – they were on their feet singing, popping a few shapes and having a great time.
Grease originally opened in Chicago in 1971, followed by a move to Broadway in 1972. In 1978 it was adapted for the screen in the now classic movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John.
For more information and tickets view https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/grease/new-theatre-oxford/
Songs in the Grease The Musical tour 2024
The setlist includes iconic hits like:
- “Summer Nights”: The show’s battle-of-the-sexes number, where Danny and Sandy recount their summer romance.
- “Greased Lightnin'”: Kenickie’s anthem about transforming a car into the ultimate chick-magnet.
- “Hopelessly Devoted to You”: Sandy’s heart-wrenching solo, a beloved ballad added to the stage production after the movie’s success.
- “You’re the One That I Want”: The upbeat finale celebrating Danny and Sandy’s reunion.
- “We Go Together”: A fun, fast-paced ensemble piece that captures the spirit of youthful friendship.
Other notable songs include “Beauty School Dropout,” “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” “There Are Worse Things I Could Do,” and “Born to Hand Jive,” ensuring the musical stays true to its ’50s rock ‘n’ roll roots.
Grease The Musical tour Cast for 2024
- Marley Fenton as Danny Zuko
- Hope Dawe as Sandy Dumbrowski
- Rebecca Stenhouse as Betty Rizzo
- Ben Nicholas as Kenickie
- Kieran Lynch as Doody
- Lewis Day as Roger
- Sario Solomon as Sonny
- Alicia Belgarde as Frenchy
- Emerald B as Jan
- India Chadwick as Marty
- Joe Gash as Vince Fontaine & Teen Angel
- Dominique Planter as Miss Lynch
- Phoebe Roberts as Patty Simcox
- Jayd’N Tyrone as Eugene
Remaining Tour Dates
| Dates | Location | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| 30 September – 5 October | Dartford | Orchard Theatre |
| 8 – 12 October | Manchester | Palace Theatre |
| 21 – 26 October | High Wycombe | Swan Theatre |
| 29 October – 2 November | Southampton | Mayflower Theatre |
| 5 – 9 November | Southend | Cliffs Pavilion |
| 11 – 16 November | Sheffield | Lyceum Theatre |
