GREASE ON ICE, a Feld Entertainment and Troika Organization coproduction; Tuesday evening, Delta Center; second performance, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday; all seats reserved ($30 in the first seven rows, $20 in the middle bowl and $15 in the upper bowl). Children's tickets are $5 less in the upper and middle bowls only. Group discounts available. Reservations: Delta center box office or Smith'sTix outlets. For telephone orders, call 469-8499 or 1-800-888-8499. For further information, call 325-7328 or 1-800-358-7328. Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes (one intermission).
"Grease" has always been cool -- as one of Broadway's longest-running hits in the '70s, as a Hollywood blockbuster in 1978, and in countless stage revivals.But "Grease on Ice" is so cool, it even requires a Zamboni during intermission.
OK, a couple of songs have been dropped or shuffled around and some tinkering was needed to move the show from stage and film to the rink. But some of these changes were similar to the ones that were made in the last two touring stage productions that came through here in 1995 and 1997.
But Rydell High School's rebellious T-Birds and Pink Ladies are still here, along with the fearsome Miss Lynch and House of Wax DJ Vince Fontaine, along with an ensemble of first-rate skaters, backed up by some great special effects and scenery.
While the show's more intimate segments may not be quite as effective in an arena, the big production numbers -- previously limited to small proscenium stages -- really cut loose on the giant rink.
The coolest thing about this show is Barry Lather and Jamie Isley's choreography, especially in the hands (or feet) of some incredible skaters.
Performers include Matthew Williams and Jennifer Schmitz as Danny Zuko and Sandy, who shine in such numbers as "Summer Nights," Danny lamenting being "Alone at the Drive-In Movie" and Sandy fretting because "It's Raining on Prom Night."
Kenickie (Scott Davis) and the T-Birds heat up the ice when his decrepit old jalopy makes a magical transformation into a classy customized '57 Chevy Bel Air -- his beloved "Greased Lightnin'." Unlike the small prop used in the stage production, this show has the real McCoy.
Two of the biggest showstoppers are Doody (Richard Swenning), turning a Rydell hallway into a glitzy rock performance in "Those Magic Moments," and nerdish soda jerk Eugene, slipping out from behind the Burger Palace counter, instantly changinginto Evel Knievel on blades, making spectacular, dare-devil leaps over dinette booths and a line of frightened Rydell High coeds.
The guys' Levi's may be low-slung (and coolly cuffed just above the sneakers), but the energy level is sky high.
Not to be outdone, the girls get their share of crowd-pleasing solo turns too, including Stephanie LaRiviere as cynical Rizzo, whose "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee," is a parody of Sandy's innocence, and Frenchy's "Beauty School Dropout," performed by Natasha Kuchiki, which segues into Guy Siruno's enegetic rhythm 'n' blues "Teen Angel" segment.
Sensitivity rating: The vulgarity and mature situations of the original Broadway musical have been toned down considerably, but it's not quite geared to the typical "Disney on Ice" audience. There's still quite a bit of salty, PG-13 language.