From the opening "Alma Mater," it's clear that goings-on at Rydell High in 1959 will be as much spoofed as remembered. A very subdued teacher and two "guest star" entertainers in story and reality make appearances but take a back seat to Pink (slick-jacketed) Ladies (sort of) and Burger Palace (black-leather jacketed) Boys (greasers). More souped up than their not-so-hot rod, their "Greased Lightnin'" is really their high-voltage dancing. Right on top of south side Chicago's dirty-boogie beat, Dewayne Barrett's slick Kenicke is classy beside trashy Rizzo (Catherine Randazzo), asking for no redemption despite protesting that at least she's not a hypocritical tease. Larry Alexander's looks, moves, and fine voice fit Danny Zucco's status as B.M.O.C. Ditto for Jessica Edwards as the Sandra Dee-type Sandy. But only after her last-minute change into a would-be Jane Mansfield-type, Dumb(blond)rowski, do she and Alexander light a fire together.
There's better flaming earlier between overeating Jan (cute Joleen Wilkinson) and softie Roger (nice Nick Darrow, also funny singing "Mooning"). Sky Cash delivers a fine balladic "Freddie, My Love," though plot-wise, it seems to come from nowhere. Anne Marie Nestor nicely maintains cheerleader Patty's vim, vigor, and occasional vitriol.
With lots of costumes that walk down memory lane, "We Go Together" is not just the cast's most catchy number: It describes the way they do their Grease job.
