Young actors shine in Firehouse’s ‘Grease’

By Shari Goldstein Stern

High pompadours, high drama, high hopes, high energy and high school angst filled the Firehouse Theatre stage at Friday night’s opening of “Grease,” and it was so cool. The ensemble cast, comprised largely of Dallas-area college and university theater students, was highly tuned into the ’50s teenage culture, as the colorful characters began emerging into the adults they would become, sometimes like it or not, at their alma mater, Rydell High School, also like it or not. 

Classes have just begun for the fall semester, 1959, and you can feel the hormones raging as old friends become reacquainted, past differences resurface, new students struggle to fit in, and newbie and seasoned Rydell students alike still find a portion of the population weird. The weirdos come out of the woodwork in the school cafeteria.

While Firehouse cast members weren’t born yet when teenage girls swooned over John Travolta as that dreamboat, Danny Zuko, and adolescent boys ached for Olivia Newton-John as Sandy in the 1978 film, “Grease,” this company was obviously thrilled to make the period bash their own. Although none of the ensemble is old enough to remember the rise of the Bee Gees in the ’60s and ’70s, the cast did justice to the title song, “Grease,” with its familiar words and lyrics, which were written by the popular rock band’s founder, Barry Gibb. 

As for the boomer patrons aplenty in the audience, the memorable score provoked the same excited, head bobbing that it always did, with some finding it hard to remain in their seats. In a larger venue, dancing in the aisles would have been inevitable. Foot stomping at the Firehouse was also still boss.

Stealing the show was Rachel Carter as the precocious Rizzo. Carter is a bright light in the cast. This was the gifted actor’s second role on the Firehouse stage, and she knocked it out of the park. With an exquisite face and broad, infectious smile, she engaged with the cast and the audience with seemingly little effort. She slid from the powerful teenager who seemed to own the place to the sympathetic, possibly pregnant young lady with a lot to learn. Carter’s dazzling vocals were show-stopping, especially when she belted out the iconic “Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee.” 

Carter’s previous credits include Belle in “Beauty and the Beast,” Sandra in “The Play That Goes Wrong,” Deena Jones in “Dreamgirls,” Eponine in “Les Misérables,” Carla in “In the Heights,” Nettie in “The Color Purple” and Heather Duke in “Heathers.”

Expect to see the talented Carter in many important roles at Firehouse Theatre and other Dallas-area stages. 

As Zuko, Nathan Rubens came across as natural when he caught himself being uncool around his friends while showing off for Sandy. While Rubens infrequently seemed a little stiff, he was a good choice to mimic Travolta in the role. The actor has 14 years of theater experience in the area, including “Alice by Heart,” “The Addams Family” and “The Sponge Bob Musical.”

Mikki Hankins was an ideal Sandy, even a little reminiscent of sweet Olivia Newton-John in the role. Her vocals were lovely, as was her adorable, innocent face. The triple-threat was bitin’ hot in the second act when she left her modest schoolgirl clothes behind to express herself in a provocative, all-black, body-skimming outfit à la Newton-John. 

Hankins is no stranger to area theater, with credits including “Oklahoma!” at The Firehouse Theatre, “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Always, Patsy Cline” at WaterTower Theatre, Maria in “West Side Story” and Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” at Plaza Theatre Co., Sophie in “Mamma Mia!” at Granbury Theatre Co. and many more.

Undoubtedly, some of the finest moments and laughs were orchestrated by Jason Philip Solís, who thrilled the audience with his comical prowess in two roles. Miss Lynch, the school principal, was sure to dot her I’s and cross her T’s as she addressed students at the beginning of the school year. She was determined to make a good impression on a tough-to-crack, defiant, adolescent student body. 

If you’re snapping your fingers trying to recall who played the principal in the 1978 film, that would be Eve Arden, best known for the 1950’s TV series, “Our Miss Brooks.” Solís was a surprising departure from that original character type, and a welcome exaggeration of the prim, proper Lynch.  

Later in the show, Solís blessed the room with his rendition of “Teen Angel.” While the brilliant actor transitioned between characters, it was clear that he is a versatile, comic actor. 

Solís earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Southern Methodist University and teaches choir in FWISD. Some of his favorite roles at Firehouse Theatre include Asaka in “Once on this Island” and Mitch Mahoney in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.” The experienced actor has also performed at Artes de La Rosa, OnStage in Bedford, Grand Prairie Arts Council and Oh Look Performing Arts Center.

The role of Jan is always a standout in “Grease,” but Olivia Goodspeed grabs up center stage like a talented leading lady. A graduate of Wichita State University with a BFA in Musical Theatre, she has credits including “Shrek,” “Newsies,” “RENT,” “Carrie the Musical,” “Anything Goes” and others.

With a nifty period car carrying passengers Sandy and Danny onto the stage, Owen Bean’s lively direction, a Tony-nominated Broadway script, Caitlin Martelle’s impressive choreography and Solís’ experienced musical direction of an exceptional score, including Barry Gibbs’ “Grease,” and an exceptional cast, this show is the most.

Young and older patrons should get to The Firehouse Theatre like Greased Lightning, where stepping back to the ’50s is far out. The theater is located at 2535 Valley View Ln. in Farmers Branch. Visit thefirehousetheatre.com for more information.