Grease

Grease
Inspire Creative
PACE Center 
Parker, CO
July 15 - 31, 2016

One of the problems with producing the musical Grease is the long shadow of the 1978 film. Many theater goers are disappointed to find many of their favorite songs from the film don’t appear in the stage version. What they don’t realize is many of the most popular songs were written especially for the movie.

In the 1990’s a new stage version of Grease was created by adding many of the film songs while still maintaining the lesser known original soundtrack. This script is the one Inspire Creative chose for their production of Grease. And it’s sure to please everyone.

The show began with a high energy performance of the title song and never lost steam.  Each song was well choreographed and staged. The harmonies were extraordinary. The songs from the original soundtrack were as enjoyable as the more recognizable ones.


The set was well thought out and effective. The stairways used to give additional levels reminded me of my high school days. I was also impressed with the many different costumes. The events of the show take place over a school year and the characters changed costumes regularly, helping to demonstrate the passing of time.

The cast was talented and energetic. Some of the strongest voices were in smaller parts, but their helped to make the chorus parts even more enjoyable. And it was a nice bonus to have the cast available in the lobby for meet and greet opportunities.

My only criticism was in the acoustics. The cast delivered their lines at conversation speed, which was a bit too fast for stage delivery and some of the dialogue was lost. The music provided by the band was terrific, but often a bit too loud. At times it drowned out the soloists.

With Grease, Inspire Creative has another terrific production under its belt. I’m looking  forward to what they do next.

Into The Woods

Into The Woods
Candlelight Dinner Playhouse
Johnstown, CO
May 19  - July 10, 2016

Into the Woods is seen by many as a fairy tale show. In a way, it is. But it takes more inspiration from the Grimm Brothers than Disney. Taking so many beloved characters and keeping them likable is a challenge.

This production chose to focus on the humor throughout the script – especially in the very dark second act. It proved to be an effective way to keep the show moving and not get dragged down by the tragic storyline. The Prince and his Steward were particularly funny in their antics.

Each song was performed with great skill, but you won’t likely leave the theater humming the music. With the exception of “Children Will Listen,” the songs are more plot devices than showstoppers.

The show goes through many location changes and, as usual, the Candlelight created interesting set pieces that easily move on and off stage. Even the woods background created interesting levels for the actors to play on.

The cast of the show was very talented, breathing new life into the fairy tale characters we already know. Red Riding Hood was sassier than her stories, Cinderella was resourceful and Jack an aimless dreamer. But they all work in this world.

We had plenty of heroes and villains here, but everything is not just black and white. Here even the most well-intentioned actions produced disastrous results – as we learn in the song “It’s Your Fault.”

All the pieces came together to make the show work. It is difficult material, but in the hands of the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse, it shone.