By Karen Parr-Moody
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – The casting of a musical is always one of the most critical of steps. And director Tom Thayer has proven a talent for casting with the actors assembled in the musical “Grease,” which is currently running at the Roxy Regional Theatre.
“Casting is always fun,” Thayer said. “I just have a feel for it and try to rely on my intuition.”
Thayer always strives for perfection in his casting, he says, and with “Grease” he has achieved it. Written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, “Grease” is a 1972 Broadway musical with a plot that essentially begins on the first day of school, circa 1959, at Rydell High. With its sendups of catchy 1950s music and occasionally serious topics, “Grease” demands a dynamic cast. It receives it with the actors Thayer has chosen to infuse it with youthful energy.
A greaser gang at Rydell High is comprised of actors Ian Erbe, Anthony Nuccio, Derik Lawson, Cameron Perry and Christopher Herr./Alan Goldstein
One of the musical’s standouts is Ashley Harris. She plays Sandy Dumbrowski, the girl from the right side of the tracks who crosses them by falling for Danny Zuko (Christopher Herr), the leader of a high school greaser gang. Harris, with her clarity of voice, sings songs such as “It’s Raining on Prom Night” with such fragility that she reminds the audience of the searing pain that is teen angst.
Alicia Jayne Kelley – who also choreographed the musical – is another standout. As Marty, she possesses a beauty that is tailor-made for this 1950s-era production, as well as a luminous voice that fits that same bill.
That said, Thayer’s casting is such that every actor – including those in supporting roles – brings a nuance to his or her character. Rori Nogee, as Betty Rizzo, imbues that tough-as-nails character with emotional depth. Derik Lawson brings a physical comedy, reminiscent of that of film actor Vince Vaughn, to the supporting role of Roger. Even Ian Erbe, who plays the minor character Sonny LaTierri, brings to that role an incredible energy.
Then there is Matt Casey, who makes a cameo as the Teen Angel and blows the audience away with the sweet, high notes necessary to pull off the song “Beauty School Dropout.” (And the costumes of his chorus girls are, creatively speaking, top notch).
In addition to the cast’s enthusiasm, this musical romps along with perfect pacing. It never bores and it never rushes. It is no wonder that the seats of the Roxy Regional Theatre were packed last weekend and that the show is already sold out for the nights of July 16 and 17. Get your tickets while you can.
Performances take place at 8 p.m. July 18, 19*, 25 and 26 and Aug. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 and 16. They also occur at 7 p.m. on July 23, 24, 30 and 31 and on Aug. 6, 7, 13 and 14. There is a 2 p.m. matinee on July 19 and Aug. 2.
Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for those 13 and younger (*the July 19 performance, which begins with a cookout at 6:30 p.m., has the higher ticket price of $40 for adults and $25 for those 13 and younger).
Tickets may be purchased ahead of time at the Roxy box office at 100 Franklin Street, which is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays, or at the door the day of the performance. They may also be ordered online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org. For more information call (931) 645-7699.
Alicia Jayne Kelley, who also choreographed the musical, brings the ultimate 1950s look and voice to her role as Marty./Alan Goldstein
Karen Parr-Moody began a career as a New York journalist, working as a fashion reporter for Women’s Wear Daily, a beauty editor for Young Miss and a beauty and fashion writer for both In Style and People magazines. Regionally, she has been a writer at The Leaf-Chronicle newspaper and currently writes about arts and culture for Nashville Arts magazine each month.