REVIEW: Grease the Musical sizzles at QPAC with star power and nostalgia

Brisbane audiences were swept off their feet as Grease the Musical opened at QPAC Lyric Theatre, with standout performances of Danny Zuko and a refreshed, spunky Sandy.

Fabian Andrés as Danny Zuko and Annelise Hall as Sandy Dumbrowski. Photo: Supplied.

Brisbane audiences were positively electrified on Thursday night as Grease the Musical burst onto the QPAC Lyric Theatre stage.

From the very first flicker of vintage-inspired opening credits, the sold-out crowd was swept straight to Rydell High — cue the cheers, the swoons, and a whole lot of hand-jiving.

Leading the charge is Fabian Andrés as Danny Zuko — undoubtedly the hottest thing on that stage all evening.

From the moment his silhouette appeared against a fiery orange backdrop, Andrés commanded the spotlight with a smouldering confidence that had more than a few hearts skipping a beat.

Channelling Travolta while stamping his own mark on the iconic role, he exuded star power at every turn, and his silky-smooth vocals on classics like “Summer Nights” and “You’re The One That I Want” swept the entire theatre into a frenzy.

Fabian Andrés as Danny Zuko. Photo: Supplied.

Paired with Andrés is the delightful Annelise Hall as Sandy Dumbrowski, who in this refreshed production shows far more backbone than the 1978 screen version.

There’s still plenty of poodle-skirt sweetness on display, but this Sandy doesn’t take any nonsense.

When tensions arise with Danny, Annelise’s portrayal keeps Sandy every bit as fierce as she is demure — an update likely to please modern viewers keen to see her stand on equal footing with the T-Birds’ frontman.

If you’re craving that iconic will-they-or-won’t-they tension, this pair delivers in spades — and their red-hot chemistry makes for a dizzying ride.

Fabian Andrés as Danny Zuko and Annelise Hall as Sandy Dumbrowski. Photo: Supplied.

Of course, Grease is more than just a steamy Danny-Sandy duo.

Keanu Gonzalez is a standout as Kenickie, swaggering onto the stage with a no-nonsense attitude and unexpectedly athletic moves that leave jaws on the floor.

He brings the house down with his swoon-worthy routine in “Greased Lightnin” proving there’s plenty of room for more than one scene-stealer in Rydell High.

Meanwhile, the Pink Ladies shine brightly, none more so than Mackenzie Dunn as Rizzo, stealing the spotlight through her brash confidence and moments of vulnerability.

Keanu Gonzalez as Kinickie and Mackenzie Dunn as Rizzo. Photo: Supplied.

The supporting cast also doesn’t miss a beat.

Oliver Lacey as Roger, and Katelin Koprivec as Jan, charm with their comedic banter, earning some of the night’s biggest laughs.

Jordan Koulos as Doody wins hearts by serenading audiences between scene changes, and Catty Hamilton is positively adorable as the ever-hopeful Frenchy.

Patti Newton in Grease The Musical. Photo: Jeff Busby.

Amid all the teenage thrills and spills, a trio of beloved Aussie icons pops up to give the show extra sparkle.

Patti Newton delights as the stern-but-secretly-sweet Miss Lynch, while Bobby Fox brings effortless charisma as radio host Vince Fontaine.

But it’s Marcia Hines who brings the house down as Teen Angel, all in a dazzling white gown and vocal fireworks that rocked the theatre to its core.

Marcia Hines as Teen Angel in Grease The Musical. Photo: Jeff Busby.

Whether you’re a diehard Grease devotee or a newcomer, there’s plenty here to love.

Classic hits like “Summer Nights” “You’re the One That I Want”, and “Greased Lightnin” are all present and accounted for, and the entire cast leans into the doo-wop era with genuine affection.

Yet, audiences also get a taste of new tunes and extra story beats absent from the original film, lending some freshness to the time-honoured tale of teenage love and camaraderie at Rydell High.

Cast of Grease The Musical. Photo: Jeff Busby.

Some reviewers have pointed to the original storyline’s “toxic masculinity” and outdated humour as potential issues for modern audiences, but the beauty of Grease lies in its unapologetic understanding of what it is and the era it portrays.

This is a story born in the 1950s, reframed through the nostalgic lens of the ’70s, and this production leans into that charm without overcorrecting for modern sensitivities.

While Sandy does stand up for herself and the T-Birds face consequences for their antics, the show wisely resists the urge to completely reinvent itself.

Instead, it celebrates its timeless appeal, offering audiences a glimpse into a bygone era, very different from our own.

Part of the magic is watching these teenagers navigate all the triumphs and tribulations of high school romance — some wise, many foolish — just as we all did once upon a time.

Fabian Andrass, Patti Newton, Marcia Hines, Bobby Fox, Annelise Hall, Grease the musical, Opens soon mat QPAC South Brisbane – on Thursday 2nd January 2025 – Photo Steve Pohlner

By the time the final curtain fell – after a roof-raising singalong that had everyone on their feet – it was clear that Grease remains the word.

My only disappointment? The distinct absence of Sandy’s iconic leather trousers in the final scene.

Hall’s version sported black denim jeans instead, leaving fans of that famous transformation moment wanting just a bit more edge.

Still, Grease the Musical proves that this story of teenage dreams, drama, and dangerously good looks (thank you, Danny Zuko) never goes out of style.

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.