The Fourth Walsh

Apollo Theater Chicago and Sketchworks Comedy present VAPE! THE GREASE PARODY.

Who doesn’t remember the cult classic movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John? A boy and girl meet and fall in love during the summer. Complications arise when they return to school. He’s a T-Bird greaser and she’s a wholesome Australian exchange student. To be together, someone must change. This beloved musical, set in the 1950s, debuted in the 1970s and has gotten a modern day makeover. After a successful Off-Broadway run, VAPE! brings its satire to Chicago.

     The creative team (Playwright Catie Hogan with Leanna Adams, John D. Babcock III, Casey Holloway, Julie Shaer and Brian Troxell and lyrics and additional book by Billy Reece and Danny Salles) get serious…ly silly in poking fun of the original musical. Sandy doesn’t have a backstory. Rizzo is too old to be a teenager. And Patty Simcox is a mindless cheerleader. They drag the half-century old tale into present day. Frenchie wants to be an influencer. Grease Lightning is a Prius. And everyone tries to convince Sandy that the relationship is toxic. It’s fricking hilarious!     

Director Jack Plotnik paces this tight with an energetic and talented ensemble. This cast commits to 90 minutes of spoof-tasticness, take their well-deserved applause and then tell you to get the f#ck out. The playfulness starts immediately as Will Leonard (Danny) discovers Jenna Smith (Sandy) ‘washed up in LA.’ The witty banter continues as a guileless Smith doesn’t know her name or her origin story -which turns into a running joke. Throughout the show, Smith’s cluelessness in life and love strikes just the right chord, buoyed by sharp comic timing and beautifully expressive vocals.  And a charismatic Leonard embraces his inner John Travolta showcasing other iconic roles, a leather daddy persona and some impressive and funny dance moves.

The entire ensemble, collectively and individually, give their all to Vape! An outstanding Suzanne Sole (Rizzo) belts out an unforgettable “Parody” – a lampoon on “Sandra Dee.” The hysterical Sole delivers biting one liners and unapologetic hutzpah. The effervescent Sophia Brazda (Marty) also leads a show-stopping number (a take on “Beauty School Drop-out”) as she rips into Frenchy’s (played by an Mai Hartwich) ineffectiveness on social media. The small yet mighty crew seamlessly morph into multiple roles blurring the gender (and human) lines. A gregarious Shea Hopkins is both a rugged dude and an over-the-top peppy cheerleader. The versatile Emma Dunlop plays for all the teams as a Pink Lady, T-Bros and drag racing aficionado. And Corey Barlow dazzles as Cha-Cha, a crab and the overlooked sidekick.

VAPE! is a fun time. It’s perfect for a group outing… friends, bachelorettes, families maybe a work group (depending on how tight HR clutches its pearls). Since “Grease” spanned several generations, VAPE! appeals for both the nostalgic elements and the pop culture references. The wordplay is so rapid-fire and clever, I want to return to catch the jokes I missed while laughing. VAPE! IS the word and the show to see!     

Running Time: Ninety minutes with no intermission

Apollo Theater, 2550 N. Lincoln

Based on the original 1971 musical “Grease” by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey

Written by Catie Hogan with Leanna Adams, John D. Babcock III, Casey Holloway, Julie Shaer and Brian Troxell

Lyrics and additional book by Billy Reece and Danny Salles

Directed by Jack Plotnik

Choreography by Ashley Marinelli

Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm

Saturdays at 2:30pm and 7:30pm

Sundays at 2:30pm

Thru January 3

For more information or tickets

Production photos by Michael Brosilow

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