GREASE arrives in Brisbane
Hold onto your bobby socks, Brisbane – GREASE THE MUSICAL has roared into QPAC Lyric Theatre, and it’s every bit as electrifying as you’d hope! From the moment the vintage-inspired opening credits flickered onto the stage, the sold-out crowd was swept straight to Rydell High, greeted by cheers, swoons, and more hand-jiving than you can shake a leather jacket at.
Leading the charge was Fabian Andrés as Danny Zuko, who strutted onto the stage with a smouldering confidence that had the audience collectively swooning. With vocals smoother than a perfectly greased quiff, Andrés put his own stamp on the role while nodding to Travolta’s legacy. His renditions of Summer Nights and You’re the One That I Want whipped the theatre into a frenzy, proving he’s got the chops and charm to make this Danny Zuko truly his own. Teaming up with him was Annelise Hall, whose refreshed take on Sandy Dumbrowski was a delightful mix of poodle-skirt sweetness and no-nonsense sass. This Sandy isn’t just along for the ride – she’s steering her own story, and audiences loved every fierce, fabulous moment.
Of course, GREASE is more than just its dreamy Danny-Sandy duo. Keanu Gonzalez swaggered onstage as Kenickie, dropping jaws with a no-nonsense attitude and some unexpectedly acrobatic moves. His performance of Greased Lightnin’ was nothing short of iconic, earning some of the loudest cheers of the night. Meanwhile, the Pink Ladies were lighting up the stage in their own right. Mackenzie Dunn as Rizzo balanced her brash confidence with poignant moments of vulnerability, delivering a performance that felt fresh and timeless all at once.
The rest of the gang kept the energy soaring. Oliver Lacey as Roger and Katelin Koprivec as Jan had the audience in stitches with their comedic banter, while Jordan Koulos charmed everyone as Doody, serenading his way into hearts between scene changes. Catty Hamilton as Frenchy was utterly adorable, capturing all the bubbly optimism of her character with ease. And let’s not forget the Aussie legends who sprinkled the production with extra sparkle. Patti Newton brought humour and warmth as Miss Lynch, Bobby Fox was effortlessly charismatic as Vince Fontaine, and Marcia Hines as Teen Angel stole the show in a dazzling white gown, her powerhouse vocals leaving the audience in awe.
The soundtrack, of course, was pure magic. Classic hits like Summer Nights, You’re the One That I Want, and Greased Lightnin’ were performed with genuine affection for the doo-wop era, while a few new tunes and added story beats brought a touch of freshness to the mix. This production walks a fine line, staying true to the nostalgic charm of the original while gently updating the narrative to better resonate with modern audiences. Sandy stands up for herself, the T-Birds face the consequences of their antics, and yet the show resists the urge to overcorrect. Instead, it embraces its roots, celebrating the timeless messiness of teenage dreams, drama, and daringly good looks.
By the time the final curtain fell, the entire theatre was on its feet, belting out the closing number in a roof-raising singalong. GREASE THE MUSICAL proves that no matter how much time passes, this story of high school romance and 1950s nostalgia never loses its shine. So, grab your tickets, slick back your hair, and get ready to hand-jive the night away – because GREASE is, and always will be, the word.
GREASE THE MUSICAL plays at the QPAC Lyric Theatre until February 1 for a strictly limited season. For tickets and more information, visit qpac.com.au.
