Grease
at Sunny Hills High School
Reviewed on November 14, 2013
| Name | School | Publication/Broadcasts |
Sarah Pierce | Lutheran High School of Orange County | Orange County Register |
Sarah Pierce | Lutheran High School of Orange County | Orange County Register |
Samantha Kelley | SOCSA Dana Hills | Orange County Register |
Samantha Kelley | SOCSA Dana Hills | Orange County Register |
Sohrob Nayebaziz | SOCSA Dana Hills | OC Cappies Facebook |
Sohrob Nayebaziz | SOCSA Dana Hills | OC Cappies Facebook |
Sarah Pierce
Lutheran High School of Orange County
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register
Cappies review: "Grease"
Grease "Rocks ‘N' Rolls" at Sunny Hills High
By SARAH PIERCE
For the Orange County Register
Sarah Pierce is a Junior at Lutheran High School of Orange County in Orange.
Set at Rydell High in the 1950s, Grease at Sunny Hills takes audiences on the iconic, feel-good journey through the romance and drama of the Pink Ladies and T-Birds. Student Director Kristen Staniforth and the creative team meticulously create an environment congruent to the narrative through a variety of student-created mediums including the designs of time period appropriate hair and makeup by Emmie Mazzocco and vibrant costumes by Kristen Staniforth and Amanda Gieser. The attire of all of the characters assist in communicating vivacious teen spirit as they reflect attitudes and characterization, which is also seen through the set, lighting, and sound design. The different colors of the lights and the sounds help in setting the mood. The set consists of a few simple pieces, including versatile, mobile staircases that allow for the multiple locations and are complementary to the performance.
The new girl next-door ingénue, Sandy Dumbrowski, is portrayed by Samantha Ramos, who has a pure, youthful voice and shows off her lovely mezzo-belt in the reprise of "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee." Her love interest, the hunky leader of the T-Birds, Danny Zuko (Joseph Lee), stands out among the pack with incredible control over his falsetto range, shining brightly during his ballad, "Alone at a Drive-In Movie." The T-Birds (Emmanuel Madera, Zach Kim, Steven Keung, Val Yontz) exhibit fantastic energy throughout the entire show, especially during the upbeat crowd-pleaser, "Greased Lightin'."
The T-Birds have great chemistry as a gang of friends, as well as romantic chemistry with their female counterparts, the Pink Ladies (Tessa Githens, Andreea Papana, Camille Chartier, Camila Zadivar). Githens, Papana, Chartier, and Zadivar are wonderful as the loveable group, showcasing their girlish charm in the adorable "Freddy, My Love." Chartier embodies her character of Betty Rizzo completely, giving an emotionally compelling performance. While some characters lacked clear diction and vulnerability in their portrayals, Chartier sings "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" clearly whilst excellently demonstrating the façade of Rizzo's tough leader persona.
Also notable are Madeleine Blossom as the straight-laced Miss Lynch and Omran Gdara as geek "Eugene Florczyk" who fully commit to their characters. The entire cast of forty-one are a remarkable ensemble, dazzling their audiences with classic group numbers of "Summer Nights" and "We Go Together." Grease at Sunny High School is a definite hit and rockin' good time.
Sarah Pierce
Lutheran High School of Orange County
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register
Cappies review: "Grease"
Grease "Rocks ‘N' Rolls" at Sunny Hills High
By SARAH PIERCE
For the Orange County Register
Sarah Pierce is a Junior at Lutheran High School of Orange County in Orange.
Set at Rydell High in the 1950s, Grease at Sunny Hills takes audiences on the iconic, feel-good journey through the romance and drama of the Pink Ladies and T-Birds. Student Director Kristen Staniforth and the creative team meticulously create an environment congruent to the narrative through a variety of student-created mediums including the designs of time period appropriate hair and makeup by Emmie Mazzocco and vibrant costumes by Kristen Staniforth and Amanda Gieser. The attire of all of the characters assist in communicating vivacious teen spirit as they reflect attitudes and characterization, which is also seen through the set, lighting, and sound design. The different colors of the lights and the sounds help in setting the mood. The set consists of a few simple pieces, including versatile, mobile staircases that allow for the multiple locations and are complementary to the performance.
The new girl next-door ingénue, Sandy Dumbrowski, is portrayed by Samantha Ramos, who has a pure, youthful voice and shows off her lovely mezzo-belt in the reprise of "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee." Her love interest, the hunky leader of the T-Birds, Danny Zuko (Joseph Lee), stands out among the pack with incredible control over his falsetto range, shining brightly during his ballad, "Alone at a Drive-In Movie." The T-Birds (Emmanuel Madera, Zach Kim, Steven Keung, Val Yontz) exhibit fantastic energy throughout the entire show, especially during the upbeat crowd-pleaser, "Greased Lightin'."
The T-Birds have great chemistry as a gang of friends, as well as romantic chemistry with their female counterparts, the Pink Ladies (Tessa Githens, Andreea Papana, Camille Chartier, Camila Zadivar). Githens, Papana, Chartier, and Zadivar are wonderful as the loveable group, showcasing their girlish charm in the adorable "Freddy, My Love." Chartier embodies her character of Betty Rizzo completely, giving an emotionally compelling performance. While some characters lacked clear diction and vulnerability in their portrayals, Chartier sings "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" clearly whilst excellently demonstrating the façade of Rizzo's tough leader persona.
Also notable are Madeleine Blossom as the straight-laced Miss Lynch and Omran Gdara as geek "Eugene Florczyk" who fully commit to their characters. The entire cast of forty-one are a remarkable ensemble, dazzling their audiences with classic group numbers of "Summer Nights" and "We Go Together." Grease at Sunny High School is a definite hit and rockin' good time.
Samantha Kelley
SOCSA Dana Hills
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register
Cappies review: "Grease"
Grease Lightnin' hits Sunny Hills High School!
By SAMANTHA KELLEY
For the Orange County Register
Samantha Kelley is a Senior at SOCSA Dana Hills in Sana Point.
Sunny Hills takes the audience back to the days of poodle skirts and pink ladies in their rendition of the classic 50's musical, Grease. This upbeat show follows a budding high school romance and demonstrates the outcome of when two very different people fall for one another.
With her beautiful, dulcet voice and youthful attitude, Samantha Ramos perfectly embodies the sweet and innocent nature of Sandy. Whether she's flirtatiously recounting her seasonal sweetheart in "Summer Nights" or contrasting her tough and rebellious T-Bird love, Ramos naturally portrays her character. As the infamous bad boy who breaks Sandy's heart but then strives to get her back, Joseph Lee is the charming yet defiant Danny Zuko. With an impressive vocal range, Lee shows off his abilities with pristine falsetto in "Alone at the Drive-In-Movie".
Creating a stark contrast to Sandy's innocent and inexperienced attitude, Rizzo, played by Camille Chartier, is mature and powerful. In "There are Worse Things I Could Do", Chartier's raw emotion and vocal talents make for a spectacular, realistic performance. Playing off her love interest (Steven Keung), Chartier is sarcastic and witty throughout the show as the leading Pink Lady unafraid to speak her mind.
Both the T-Birds and Pink Ladies bring high energy as they react to each other on stage and portray their own distinct personalities, from Roger the mooner (Zach Kim), to Frenchie the beauty school dropout (Camila Zaldivar.
As a whole, the large cast of 41 has unfaltering vivacity and spirit on stage. In numbers such as "We go Together" and "Born to Handjive", every ensemble member shines and stays committed to their character. The natural high school dynamic is created on stage thanks to the youthful, realistic blocking by the student director Kristen Staniforth.
The 1950's come alive on stage with a simple yet functional set and colorful costumes that match the personalities of the characters wearing them. The makeup stays simple and uniform, faltering with Rizzo's bright blue eye shadow to match her bold personality. Autumn Lemoi, Samantha Ramos, and Bailey Shea create lighting that adds to the excitement of the show such as when the cast joins together on stage for the Rydell High prom.
Together, the cast and crew of Sunny Hills bring chills in their rendition of Grease.
Samantha Kelley
SOCSA Dana Hills
Submitted for publication to Orange County Register
Cappies review: "Grease"
Grease Lightnin' hits Sunny Hills High School!
By SAMANTHA KELLEY
For the Orange County Register
Samantha Kelley is a Senior at SOCSA Dana Hills in Sana Point.
Sunny Hills takes the audience back to the days of poodle skirts and pink ladies in their rendition of the classic 50's musical, Grease. This upbeat show follows a budding high school romance and demonstrates the outcome of when two very different people fall for one another.
With her beautiful, dulcet voice and youthful attitude, Samantha Ramos perfectly embodies the sweet and innocent nature of Sandy. Whether she's flirtatiously recounting her seasonal sweetheart in "Summer Nights" or contrasting her tough and rebellious T-Bird love, Ramos naturally portrays her character. As the infamous bad boy who breaks Sandy's heart but then strives to get her back, Joseph Lee is the charming yet defiant Danny Zuko. With an impressive vocal range, Lee shows off his abilities with pristine falsetto in "Alone at the Drive-In-Movie".
Creating a stark contrast to Sandy's innocent and inexperienced attitude, Rizzo, played by Camille Chartier, is mature and powerful. In "There are Worse Things I Could Do", Chartier's raw emotion and vocal talents make for a spectacular, realistic performance. Playing off her love interest (Steven Keung), Chartier is sarcastic and witty throughout the show as the leading Pink Lady unafraid to speak her mind.
Both the T-Birds and Pink Ladies bring high energy as they react to each other on stage and portray their own distinct personalities, from Roger the mooner (Zach Kim), to Frenchie the beauty school dropout (Camila Zaldivar.
As a whole, the large cast of 41 has unfaltering vivacity and spirit on stage. In numbers such as "We go Together" and "Born to Handjive", every ensemble member shines and stays committed to their character. The natural high school dynamic is created on stage thanks to the youthful, realistic blocking by the student director Kristen Staniforth.
The 1950's come alive on stage with a simple yet functional set and colorful costumes that match the personalities of the characters wearing them. The makeup stays simple and uniform, faltering with Rizzo's bright blue eye shadow to match her bold personality. Autumn Lemoi, Samantha Ramos, and Bailey Shea create lighting that adds to the excitement of the show such as when the cast joins together on stage for the Rydell High prom.
Together, the cast and crew of Sunny Hills bring chills in their rendition of Grease.
Sohrob Nayebaziz
SOCSA Dana Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook
Cappies review: "Grease"
Sunny Hills cast ‘had me a blast'
By SOHROB NAYEBAZIZ
For the CAPPIES
Sohrob Nayebaziz is a Junior at SOCSA Dana Hills in Sana Point.
Jiving around campus in poodle skirts and leather jackets, the rebellious teenagers at Rydell High School are falling in––and out––of love amidst the pandemonium of their senior year. Sparks fly as straight-edged Sandy Dumbrowski and suave Danny Ruko revisit a summer affair, reporting stories of their saucy escapades to their respective cliques.
The dreamy falsettos of Danny Zuko (Joseph Lee) generate swoons and sighs from the audience throughout the musical. He leads the ragtag team of T-Birds as they devote more time to their precious "Greased Lightnin'" car than they do to their girlfriends.
Sandy (Samantha Ramos) exudes naïvety as the new belle in town. Juxtaposed with clever quips of fellow Pink Lady Rizzo, her dulcet vocals manifest the roaring excitement of high school as she swiftly strides around the stage with a youthful juvenility .
Cynical and quick-witted, Rizzo (Camille Chartier) provides tongue-in-cheek commentary that elicits numerous bouts of laughter from the audience. Impeccable comedic timing and an authentic New England accent aid Chartier in perfectly embodying a fickle-hearted high school lass. The relationship Rizzo shares with Kenickie (Steven Keung) proves to be the most genuine in the production; Kenickie's hotshot mentality is counterbalanced by Rizzo's steadfast independence.
The sets, designed by Tessa Githens, Sabrina Lee, Camila Zaldivar, Amanda Gieser, and Andraya Eisenman, are vibrant and detailed, blasting the cast sixty years into the past. They work seamlessly in conjunction with the lighting design by Autumn Lemoi, Samantha Ramos, and Bailey Shea, which accentuates the emotion of each scene, especially well as Sandy and Danny find themselves just inches from an embrace during "Summer Nights."
Original costumes imagined and created by Kristen Staniforth and Amanda Gieser garb the cast in attire that accurately reflects the thrill of the ‘50s. Most notably, the fluidity of the bright crimson dress in which Cha Cha DiGregorio (Renee Jean) nimbly twirls catches the eyes of cast and audience members alike.
The production is impressively co-directed by student director Kristen Staniforth, who provides the choreography and stage presence of each character with a youthful vigor that would have otherwise been unattainable.
Sunny Hills will have you wanting to shout, "A woo bop baloo bop, a woo bam boo!" after taking a trip back to the Fabulous Fifties to experience their splendid rendition of the timeless "Grease."
Sohrob Nayebaziz
SOCSA Dana Hills
Submitted for publication to OC Cappies Facebook
Cappies review: "Grease"
Sunny Hills cast ‘had me a blast'
By SOHROB NAYEBAZIZ
For the CAPPIES
Sohrob Nayebaziz is a Junior at SOCSA Dana Hills in Sana Point.
Jiving around campus in poodle skirts and leather jackets, the rebellious teenagers at Rydell High School are falling in––and out––of love amidst the pandemonium of their senior year. Sparks fly as straight-edged Sandy Dumbrowski and suave Danny Ruko revisit a summer affair, reporting stories of their saucy escapades to their respective cliques.
The dreamy falsettos of Danny Zuko (Joseph Lee) generate swoons and sighs from the audience throughout the musical. He leads the ragtag team of T-Birds as they devote more time to their precious "Greased Lightnin'" car than they do to their girlfriends.
Sandy (Samantha Ramos) exudes naïvety as the new belle in town. Juxtaposed with clever quips of fellow Pink Lady Rizzo, her dulcet vocals manifest the roaring excitement of high school as she swiftly strides around the stage with a youthful juvenility .
Cynical and quick-witted, Rizzo (Camille Chartier) provides tongue-in-cheek commentary that elicits numerous bouts of laughter from the audience. Impeccable comedic timing and an authentic New England accent aid Chartier in perfectly embodying a fickle-hearted high school lass. The relationship Rizzo shares with Kenickie (Steven Keung) proves to be the most genuine in the production; Kenickie's hotshot mentality is counterbalanced by Rizzo's steadfast independence.
The sets, designed by Tessa Githens, Sabrina Lee, Camila Zaldivar, Amanda Gieser, and Andraya Eisenman, are vibrant and detailed, blasting the cast sixty years into the past. They work seamlessly in conjunction with the lighting design by Autumn Lemoi, Samantha Ramos, and Bailey Shea, which accentuates the emotion of each scene, especially well as Sandy and Danny find themselves just inches from an embrace during "Summer Nights."
Original costumes imagined and created by Kristen Staniforth and Amanda Gieser garb the cast in attire that accurately reflects the thrill of the ‘50s. Most notably, the fluidity of the bright crimson dress in which Cha Cha DiGregorio (Renee Jean) nimbly twirls catches the eyes of cast and audience members alike.
The production is impressively co-directed by student director Kristen Staniforth, who provides the choreography and stage presence of each character with a youthful vigor that would have otherwise been unattainable.
Sunny Hills will have you wanting to shout, "A woo bop baloo bop, a woo bam boo!" after taking a trip back to the Fabulous Fifties to experience their splendid rendition of the timeless "Grease."