Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies review
By Sioph LealGrease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is a musical series that takes place four years before the original movie “Grease.” Set in 1954, before rock ‘n’ roll ruled Rydell high, before the T-Birds were the coolest in the school, four fed-up outcasts, Jane (Marisa Davila), Olivia (Cheyenne Isabel Wells), Nancy (Tricia Fukuhara) and Cynthia (Ari Notartomaso), dare to have fun on their own terms, which sparks a moral panic that will change Rydell High Forever. Battling the school’s increasingly conservative rules and the community turning on them, the four girls decide to change things with Jane becoming the first woman to run for class president.
Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies had a challenge in making the show entertaining to watch and not disregard important political themes of the 1950s such as the lack of women’s rights. Show creator Annabel Oakes succeeds, keeps a comical tone while maintaining honesty in themes of racism and gender equality in the 1950s. It is much more than a musical homage to a favourite movie, Pink Ladies adds layers relevant to society at that time. With the help of the colourful scenery and costumes, Oakes managed to brilliantly mix the serious subjects with the support of some extremely popular and frequently funny tunes. Viewers won't be able to avoid some shocking parallels to the issues people today are facing given that the series is set in the 1950s. a combination of the disparate standards that men and women are held to and the widespread use of slut shaming in today's society. The fact that such issues are still relevant today despite the costumes and sets may surprise some.
Given that Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is a prequel to the stage and big screen smash hit, it finds a way to stand on its own. The opening song of course must be ‘Grease is the Word,’ and it uses this iconic number to introduce our new pink ladies in Jane, Olivia, Nancy, and Cynthia. Each of the new pink ladies get their own verse, showcasing their different struggles or hopes, and then they eventually come together as one in perfect harmony, a perfect representation of how the four girls come together to overcome adversity and make their voices heard above the crowds.
Fans of the show have praised how amazing the music in the first few episodes. A duet between pink lady Cynthia and her thespian companion Lydia (Nimah Wilson) is a stunner in every way. The two provide a faultless performance of ‘Merely Players’ as they explore their illicit relationship while pretending that Cynthia is developing a passion for acting and the theatre. 'Take the Wheel' and 'Sorry to Distract' are undoubtedly other standout tracks. Great lyrics, flawless staging, and unsurpassed choreography lift each of these performances to a higher level.
The characters have been fully established, which is a welcome departure from the first film. The girls aren't just concerned with finding a boyfriend. Particularly minor characters like Hazel (Stanel Bailey), who's introduction is enthralling and heartwarming, are complex. Bailey consistently provides a stellar performance, even when she's in the background. The pleasant and compassionate Wally (Maxwell Whittington-Cooper) expertly weaves into Hazel's issues with where she fits within the school and handling her new desire to widen her experiences. In the eighth episode, the two sing together in a touching song describing how the world can be overwhelming at times, but they all have different coping mechanisms.
The seventh episode marks the beginning of the series' drifting away from its core themes and strong points. An entire episode is devoted to the T-Birds, but more so to Ritchie's sadness, even though the show is intended to be about the beginnings of the Pink Ladies. Even though it is the worst episode, with the worst musical numbers, Gil Rizzo (Nicholas McDonough) is a brilliant part of it. Gill exemplifies what it means to be the T-Birds' leader by prioritising his friends and family occasionally at the expense of his personal needs.
Overall, it is challenging for a musically focused play to shine, especially when it is based on a beloved musical, but Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies nearly succeeds perfectly by doing so. It's a terrific series to watch because it has more nuanced characters with motivations other than finding a significant other and catchy tune that showcase the time period while giving it a contemporary spin. Rise of the Pink Ladies is a hidden gem from Paramount, and I hope the show is renewed for a second season.