GREASE is certainly the word around town and not the stuff you put on your bearings.
Although some weren’t sure if it’s politically correct to say Grease anymore as it comes from a non-renewable resource, but we can check the fun police on that one.
The Coonamble Amateur Theatrical Society (CATS) have recruited old and new talent to take on this old favourite.
Siobhan Fagan is back and is playing Rizzo.
What a perfect role for her. She has stepped into this character with ease and is loving that her boyfriend onstage, (Kenickie) is 20 years younger.
Siobhan has the crew drilled once again in all the big dance numbers and her singing belongs on the voice. Look out!
Andrew Fisher is back playing Kenickie after knocking the ladies out last play with the charm, this year he plans to do it all again, although somewhat disappointed with the married status of Siobhan, Fisher loves a challenge.
He claims he only joined CATS to meet girls, although his Grinder app on his phone seems pretty constant.
He has given Kenickie a different type of accent, somewhere between Texan and the Deep South.
But look out in Greased Lightning – Fisher has been learning to dance.
Hugh Beveridge finally agreed to play Danny.
Producers were after someone else originally. They finally realised that Danny needed to be a bald overweight 40 plus farmer. So Beveridge was asked. The crew has nicknamed him “the quad” as he is one better than a triple threat. Beveridge is still trying to convince director Burnheim that Danny definitely has a sex scene in Grease. it is still being workshopped.
Cindy Parsons returns. Well who else could play Sandy? Beautiful, petite voice like an angel. The perfect Sandra Dee. But look out when bad Sandy comes out to play. Ladies, lock up your men. Sandy‘s and Danny’s onstage chemistry is like Donald Trump and women and Parsons has suggested Beveridge needs ease back on the “acting” especially in the drive in movie scene where things get HOT!!
James Nalder is treading the boards again. Playing one of the T-Birds, Doody.
Nalder has been taking guitar and singing lessons especially for this one, so if you want to see what a young Elvis looked and sounded like, don’t miss this one.
Mim McKeown is back with a major role as one of the T-Birds.
At CATS we strive to be gender neutral as not to offend the SJW’s so a few male roles have gone to women to maintain equal rights.
McKeown is all over this man stuff, scratching and tweaking in all the right parts just like Emily Ryan who is playing Sonny the other T-Bird.
Emily has also nailed the male psyche. Man-spreading and talking about boobs with the boys is now a common practice for these two girls in the cast.
Some fresh new pussy-cats have arrived as well.
Steph Ryan has stepped up to have a go and is playing the loveable Frenchy but can’t settle on what hair colour she should be.
A beauty school dropout and you will never guess who her guardian angel will be to tell her to “go back to high school.”
Let’s just say he is a local business man who looks good in spandex.
Emily Warner, one of the talented vets at North West vets is bringing a whole new look to the character Jan.
Normally squeezing testicles or checking out bent pizzles, and that’s just her weekends by the way, Emily brings it all to CATS.
We have Kaelyn Ward who is the youngest of the crew but possibly the most mature, has bravely thrown herself into CATS.
She is stunning as one of the wonderful Pink Ladies, Marty.
This girl is one to watch. She takes on a big singing number and can dance like Ginger Rogers. Swipe right!
Rebecca McIntyre is cast perfectly to play Patty Simcox, the goody twoshoes of Rydell High.
When Bec hits the stage she owns it. She falls madly for Danny but hey you can’t win them all.
And what a job she has done getting costumes together.
Many others are back for minor roles.
Although Kerryn Ryan is back after a 20 absence from CATS and is playing the principal Miss Lynch and does it with ease.
Pip Fisher was allowed back by her sister Siobhan but only if it was a minor role. Pip is playing Cha-Cha.
As we all know Pip is the best dancer in the Coonamble Shire.
Leesa Brian is playing Jenny Casino, Tanya Farrell is playing the classic, Eugene.
Tanya has brought in a few more teachers to be the chorus dancers but they always seem to be on holidays or RDO’s.
Of course Bill Burnheim has taken on the task of pulling all this together.
A huge job especially with the number of scene and costume changes that take place and he has great help from the talented Ana Robson who has done an amazing job painting and designing all the sets.
The music co-ordinator is Naomi Wrench who advises me the soundtrack will be available for download from iTunes. Should be a bestseller.
So if you want to go back to 1959 when a girl was a girl or a boy was just a boy and you could take a dump in a male only toilet.
When you could have a fag or fix up a tranny, have as much to drink when and where you liked, or just tell a joke without the fun police charging you for offending someone, then come along to the Plaza in Coonamble on the first week of August.
You are guaranteed a fun night out.
STORY: Hugh Beveridge.