My thoughts that nobody asked for
I need to talk about the pink ladies so I'm gonna do it here and get it out because I'm gonna talk my housemates ear off otherwise (and I know she wouldn't mind but it's not the point).
I have a few points to make, all important to me specifically, if you don't agree with me I am open to a kind discussion, not an argument. My qualifications before talking about this - I have been performing since I was 6 and have a degree in musical theatre but more importantly I'm a human being with opinions and that should be enough to get this discussion started. Long post, is basically an essay not gonna lie (with pictures!) so buckle in.
1 - Cynthia and Lydia (CYNTHYDIA). I would die for them, both individually and as a couple. Somehow I have been both of them at different stages in my queerness and I'm absolutely loving the representation. It feels accurate, both historically and presently, with the portrayal of gay awakenings and the "oh fuck is this real??" feelings. I'm in shambles whenever I think about them and 'Merely Players' is an absolute banger, Ari Notartomaso and Niamh Wilson have amazing chemistry and their voices blend so beautifully. I cannot wait to see where the show takes their relationship, and I really hope they're endgame but if they're not I hope it's for a valid reason that gets clearly explained, and yes being afraid to come out in the fifties is a valid reason even if it hurts. My poor, beautiful baby gays deserve to be happy but it's a period piece so who knows if they will be.
2 - Kind of a follow on but, THE MUSIC. Holy fuck. The songwriters and music producers (Justin Tranter, Zachary Dawes, Nick Sena and Brittany Campbell) along with the amazing choreographer (Jamal Sims) have created something spectacular with this show. As of episode 7 there are 22 songs, which makes it longer than most stage productions even with 3 episodes left to go, however listening to the soundtrack it's not difficult to be able to see how it would translate to stage which is a feat for a filmed musical production. The score for the show is reminiscent of the source material whilst adding its own distinct flair. The songs and performances are very clearly contemporary musical theatre lyrically but still manage to have a solid 50s, golden age of musical theatre feel, sonically. I don't think I will ever get the music for this show out of my head, and I honestly don't want it to. My favourites so far are - 'I Want More' (absolutely going on my repertoire folder when the sheet music becomes available); 'New Cool' (has been stuck in my head since the first episode, it won't go away); 'Merely Players' (already mentioned, my baby gays, I love them so much), 'The Boom' (annoyingly catchy in the best way, and the choreography and staging is phenomenal). I can't wait to see what the last 3 episodes gives us, particularly the school dance, 'The Hand Jive' will be hard t beat but I'm excited to see how it matches up.
3 - THE GIRLS' FRIENDSHIP. I can't talk about this show without talking about the namesakes themselves, my queens, the Pink Ladies - Jane Facciano (Marisa Davila), Olivia Valdovinos (Cheyenne Isabel Wells), Cynthia Znudowski (Ari Notartomaso) and Nancy Nakagawa (Tricia Fukuhara). These four idiots together are what I've always wanted for myself, a group of maybe contrasting individuals that somehow complement and balance each other out so perfectly it feels like they were always meant to be together. They are so accepting of each other when nobody else is, without question or condition. It's frankly quite beautiful to see - especially at the end of episode six when Cynthia has pulled away from the girls in fear of rejection and abandonment. They prove her wrong by being there as a group to support her after she runs away and spend the night together being silly and watching tv, with no pressure or expectation, just them genuinely enjoying each other's company. The casting for this show is amazing all around but these four in particular are captivating on screen together. Despite the main plot revolving around Jane, the show dedicates time to the other girls' stories in a way that other shows may not have. It's not just The Jane Show and her three best friends, they really do feel like a cohesive group of fleshed-out individuals with their own stories and struggles. This show is truly a 'Girls Supporting Girls' show, which was absolutely needed in an arena where there are so many stories about frenemies portrayed as besties.
4 - The REFERENCES and Grease Lore additions. Obviously, they have to make it fit into the existing canon of the Grease Universe, it being a prequel, but they do it so smoothly. None of the references or tie-ins feel forced or like out-of-place fan service. It all makes sense somehow. Firstly, the founding members of both the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies being siblings is just so perfect to me, the Valovinos are icons. Next, Frenchy and Rizzo being legacies is an excellent addition to the narrative, in my humble opinion. Frenchy being Jane's younger sister, seeing the gang start and evolve and create this bond between them is so perfect to me. It's something a younger sister that clearly sees their older sister as a role model would aspire to have. (Also the casting is spot on, Madison Elizabeth Lagares is a fantastic young actress.) And Rizzo, the double tie-in, not only as Frenchy's best friend from middle school, but her older brother Gil being one of the original T-Birds?! Genius. I've also loved seeing Mrs McGee's character being explored. Her inclusion in this manner, being so tied to the Pink Ladies story gives an explanation for how she acts as Principal in the original Grease film. She could very easily stop the Pink Ladies and T-Birds from being menaces as Principal, but giving her this close background with their founding members and their struggles (particularly with the Olivia-Mr Daniels situation, and the rigged school election) shows why she doesn't shut them down and instead allows them to have their found family despite the trouble they cause. But the biggest for me is how they set up the dynamic between the two gangs - obviously, there are familial ties (previously stated) but I adore the way that they've set up the established canon that even though they're separate gangs they're connected, yes through the romance but also the theme of being societal outcasts that have found comfort in each other, family blood or not. There are so many other parallels in the show, too many to count in this already long post, but ultimately the show does a fantastic job of giving historical context to the original story whilst also being it's own entity.
TLDR - overall, despite being initially sceptical about the premise, I absolutely adore this show, in all its camp musical theatre glory, and I hope it gets renewed for season 2. If you love Grease, or camp musical theatre in general, watch this show.
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