ATC exposes the original raunchiness in 'Grease'

Before this review of American Theater Company's “The Original Grease,” let me offer a warning: Do not take kids to see this show.

This is not the same peppy musical that has thrilled generations of aspirant and full-fledged teenagers since its 1972 Broadway debut and its phenomenally successful 1978 film version starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

Instead, it's a revised take on the much raunchier and Chicago-centric original “Grease” by authors Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey that debuted locally in 1971 at the long-gone Kingston Mines Theatre.

And for that reason alone, American Theater Company's “The Original Grease” is a fascinating must-see. This might be the one and only chance for audiences to compare and contrast the anthropological development of a beloved hit musical before its Chicago-specific references were scrubbed out and its raging “R-rated” hormones were toned down for a more mainstream shot at success.

But consider yourself warned. If you thought “Grease” was risque, “The Original Grease” makes its later incarnations feel as safe and sterilized as Disney's “High School Musical.”

It's initially unsettling to see characters we think we know dropping numerous F-bombs and taunting their friends with politically incorrect ethnic epithets. And don't expect to hear song hits like “You're the One That I Want” (which was added to the film) or “Summer Nights” (the original song is the not-quite-as-catchy “Foster Beach”).

But it's also neat to hear numerous Chicago references (Polk Brothers, Riverview, Marshall Field's) spoken in the text by these Northwest Side Chicagoans. And it's very surprising to discover that Sandy Dumbroski (Kelly Davis Wilson) was originally a Catholic girl from Joliet rather than far away Australia.

The looseness of Pink Ladies leader Rizzo (a very tart and no-nonsense Jessica Diaz) is one element that survived later “Grease” incarnations. But in this original, she's much more blatant about her sexual prowess in numbers like her dismissive reprise of “Greased Lightning” and “Born to Handjive” (very provocatively choreographed by Jim Corti involving Rizzo and two greaser guys).

At times it seems director PJ Paparelli and his collaborators are determined to shock their audience, epitomized when he has actress Alaina Mills as the goody-two-shoes Patti Simcox sing the song “Comin' at Ya'” while using a toilet.

But all this raunchiness also takes this “Grease” into darker territory, making it much more into a slice-of-life look at corruptible and self-involved real teenagers versus its previous reputation as a synthetic and celebratory look at 1950s youth in the vein of “Happy Days” TV reruns.

Though some will welcome this return to grittiness for “Grease” (reflected well in Walt Spangler's grimy urban set filled with used tires and a bisected “Greased Lightning” car), it can't hide the often meandering dramatic quality of the original script or some subpar songs that were later judiciously cut. Does anyone really need to hear Miss Lynch sing a nostalgic song called “In My Day”?

Oddly, the leading lady — Sandy — is a more poorly defined character here when compared to Rizzo. And Patty, Sandy's main rival for the affections of a very Elvis Presley-like Danny Zuko (Adrian Aguilar), oddly seems to have a bigger-than-warranted role in the original version.

Paparelli has deployed a huge cast (26!) for this production, including a few mature actors with essentially walk-on roles as guests of the Rydell High School 1960 Class Reunion that frames the show. Paparelli clearly has the cream of the crop with his talent, with each and every cast member delivering their all in terms of crudeness and teenage delinquency in this unique production.

So will the “Original Grease” supersede its later versions? Probably not, but at least Chicagoans will get a chance to proudly reclaim “Grease” as a hometown show that affectionately celebrates Northwest Side teenagers (warts and all) circa 1959. Just remember to leave your kids at home.

<b>“The Original Grease”</b>

★ ★ ★

<b>Location: </b>American Theater Company, 1909 W. Byron St., Chicago, (773) 409-4125 or <a href="http://www.atcweb.org" target="_blank">atcweb.org</a>

<b>Showtimes: </b>8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday; through June 26

<b>Running time: </b>About 2 hours, 30 minutes, with intermission

<b>Tickets: </b>$35-$40

<b>Rating: </b>For adults: contains strong language, multiple sexual references and potentially offensive ethnic epithets