The Word “Grease” Is Out
Now, it’s all about “Vape!”—a modern off-Broadway parody that takes the classic 1950s high school musical and turns it on its head for today’s audience.
“Vape! grease parody” pokes fun at some of the more, let’s say, outdated elements from the 1978 film. Lara Strong, who stars as Mrs. Sandy, shared her thoughts during a dress rehearsal that The Post attended.
“It really shines a light on the absurdity of the original movie,” she noted. Scott Szilagyi steps into the role of Danny, the heartthrob famously played by John Travolta.
The Pink Ladies have transformed into the Pink Squad. Smoking has had a makeover, too—now it’s all about the e-cigarettes. And don’t worry, the Greased Lightning car? It’s been swapped out for a Prius.
As an added twist, the male leads, Danny and Kenicky, who are best buddies, explore their sexual fluidity and feelings for each other.
“Teens are trading in their cigs for vape pens and their muscle cars for hybrids,” explained director Jack Plotnick.
Interestingly, the show reworks the film’s controversial ending. In the original, Sandy transforms into a seductive figure to win Danny’s affection, which some have criticized for its message to women.
“I realized Danny didn’t truly respect me for who I am,” Sandy laments in the musical, which is set to run until January 4 at Theater 555 on West 42nd Street.
Strong, originally from New Zealand, added, “I do love Sandy’s iconic leather look and red shoes, but that transformation for a man really underscored how dated the film is.”
The parody also takes a jab at how the original actors portrayed high school students—Travolta was 23, Newton-John was 29, and Stockard Channing? She was 33.
“This school is a mess, and we’ve been here so long we’re practically ancient,” the cast sings in the opening number, titled “Vape is the Word.”
In this new telling, Lizzo’s character expresses fears related to menopause, rather than pregnancy. “You hear me? Lizzo’s not pregnant. She’s just aging!” Kenicky, now leading the T-Bros, announces with glee.
“What I really love about our show is that while it pays homage to the original, it lets you experience it in a fresh way,” Plotnick said. It’s a fun take on the classic, for sure.
Casting highlights include Shirazi, from Trenton, New Jersey, who finds joy in embodying his fellow New Jerseyan, John Travolta, as he navigates the nuances of that iconic role.
Modern dating themes make their appearance as well. For example, Marty claims he’s been around for 500 years, dabbled with Tinder, and then suggests Sandy send Danny some nudes to rekindle their romance.
And women are shown as increasingly savvy about men’s psychological games. Sandy’s classic song morphed from “Hopelessly Devoted to You” into “Hopeless Gaslighted by You.”
Men, meanwhile, are becoming more conscientious—Kenicky declares during “Green Lightnin’, “As a gentleman who respects the earth, I’ll get you to consent like crazy.”
