GREASE   Role: Eugene   Production Info: 2/24-6/24, 2000 @ Westchester B’way Theatre Director/Choreographer: Tom Polum Music Director: Stephen Purdy

This production of Grease was my third, having previously performed the roles of Roger and Doody. Seeing the show through each character’s perspective made each production new and different, but I have to say that seeing the world through Eugene’s coke-bottle glasses was a unique and eye-opening experience! I always enjoy physical comedy, so I had a great time with all of the sight gags and one-liners that make Eugene so “special.” In addition to the standard “Eugene” duties, I also sang the “Beauty School Dropout” number . . . not as Teen Angel, but as Dream Eugene! When I jumped up on the Burger Palace Bar wearing my rhinestone glasses, bedazzled suit and bouffant hair, I looked like a cross between Buddy Holly and Dame Edna! The centerstage turntable became a rotating 5-foot-tall beauty cream jar, the cast donned their pink and blue wigs, and I sang my heart out! It was lots of fun, and over the four-month run, I made some wonderful friends and some great memories. Congratulations and Happy Graduation to Rydell High Class of 2000!   Click on this link to read more info about Westchester Broadway Theatre.

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Summer Nights: Cristin Mortenson as Sandy and Todd DuBail as Danny, with all the Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies.

Freddy, My Love: Erica Mansfield as Marty, with Sarah Pramstaller as Rizzo, Shari Berkowitz as Frenchy, and Emma Lampert as Jan.

Greased Lightnin’: Kevin Steele as Kenickie, with Todd DuBail as Danny, Victor W. Hawks as Roger, Andrew Rannells as Doody, and Ron Williams as Sonny.

Born to Hand Jive: Michelle Pereira as Cha-Cha, Todd DuBail as Danny, and Mark Martino as Vince Fontaine.

The Drive-In Movie: Cristin Mortenson as Sandy and Todd DuBail as Danny.

 
 

Hello, my name is Eugene Florczyk and I’ll be your backstage tour guide. Before we begin, I should tell you that I am currently Valedictorian of Rydell High, as well as editor of the school yearbook.

These are my beautiful Opening Night flowers. Notice how they are full of life and vigor, just waiting to spread light and joy to others (just like myself!)

This is Mark Martino, who played Vince Fontaine. Even though he sang two songs in the show (“Shakin’ at the High School Hop” and “Born to Hand Jive”), you may notice that his flowers are awfully droopy. Hmmm...

This is Angela Haag, who played cheerleader Patty Simcox. Here, she is modeling my stunning Burger Palace Hat, which I wore during the “Beauty School Dropout” number. She looks OK, but you should see it on me.

And here we have Michelle Pereira, as Cha-Cha DiGregorio, donning my Burger Palace hat. Whoever said nerds were unpopular obviously never stopped by MY dressing room!

Mark Martino often paraded around our dressing room in full Vince Fontaine regalia. I think he was trying to impress me. Nice try, Mark, but I hear you flunked Statistics.

It seems like all the outsiders bask in popularity offstage! Here, Michelle Pereira (Cha-Cha) celebrates her birthday with panache and flair.

And last but not least, here is Jorge Maldonado, AKA Bruce the Super-Swing, presenting his brownies at the scrumptious Easter Pot-Luck Dinner. He can memorize three roles AND make great dessert!

 
 

TRAVELHOST MAGAZINE, 4/2/00 by Terry Joshi   Ron DeStefano made a completely unexpected star turn in the role of Eugene, the school nerd who, improbably, becomes a Fabian style singer in the Beauty School Dropout number. It’s an over-the-top performance which brings down the house; Mr. DeStefano is sure to be seen on a New York Stage again soon!

BACK STAGE, 4/20/00 by E. Kyle Minor   The single most successful production number is Act II’s “Beauty School Dropout.” It is a wonderfully campy flight of fancy that strikes the correct balance between satire and pastiche.

THE BRONX NEWS, 3/23/00 by Daniel Gesslein   What sets this production of Grease apart from the others is its ability to combine the whimsy of a musical with the edginess of the material. Large Broadway dance numbers are balanced with realistic situations.... Todd DuBail’s performance as Danny Zuko is comical, sweet and pleasant.... Cristin Mortenson turns in a fine performance as Sandy. The biggest surprise is Ron DeStefano’s performance as Eugene. As the clueless class nerd, Eugene is constantly hounded by Zuko and company, but it’s his take on “Beauty School Dropout” which brings the house to its feet. Seeing DeStefano belt out the notes as well as the most seasoned Broadway performer while wearing those coke bottle glasses and high water pants is amazing.

THE ROCKLAND REVIEW, 3/10/00 by George J. Dacre   Todd DuBail has Danny down to a “T” and shades of John Travolta can be felt in his swaggers, and . . . Cristin Mortenson, making her debut at Westchester, is great as Sandy. Sarah Pramstaller has Rizzo right on and, with more stage experience, is an actor that will be seen and heard from. Ron DeStefano is Eugene and really does justice to this plum part. Shari Berkowitz as Frenchy is just right. Mark Martino, as Vince Fontaine the DJ, comes on strong and is a favorite of the audience.... Musical direction by Stephen Purdy is top flight. Direction and choreography by Tom Polum again reflects Westchester Broadway’s excellence.

THE MIDDLETOWN TIMES HERALD-RECORD, 4/7/00 by Vincent Schommer   The production’s strong cast was directed and choreographed by Tom Polum. Stephen Purdy’s musical direction was flawless. Particularly notable was Ron DeStefano’s falsetto that raised the roof in the song “Beauty School Dropout.”

THE NORTH COUNTY NEWS, 3/21/00 by Brian J. Howard   Todd DuBail and Cristin Mortenson were just great as Danny and Sandy, hopelessly devoted teen lovers.... But I have to skip ahead to Betty Rizzo. Sarah Pramstaller [as Rizzo] delivered her lines with rawness and authenticity. Her barbs were scathing and her sarcasm icy. This Rizzo very nearly stole the show.... ...I said ’very nearly’ because of Eugene, played by Ron DeStefano. Where does he come from? ...He just seems to wander on stage randomly and as was the case, with basketball in-hand, he delivers a Jim Carrey-esque sight to behold as he contemplates a gyrating free-throw attempt. DeStefano did for Beauty School Dropout what I’m quite sure Frankie Avalon could never have done.

THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS, 3/26/00 by Daphne Kraft   Standouts in the comedy department are Maureen Sadusk’s brash, whistle blowing Miss Lynch, Mark Martino’s slithery Vince Fontaine and Michelle Pereira’s Cha Cha. Ron DeStefano’s Eugene is eye-catching and Erica Mansfield as the blond bombshell, Marty, is invaluable to the production with a finely honed dramatic sketch that goes beyond stereotype.

THE NEWS-TIMES, 3/12/00 by Chesley Plemmons   The music, dance numbers and character bits are all handled with panache.... Especially good are Todd DuBail as Danny Zuko and Kevin Steele as Kenickie, but major energy also comes from the second tier of players: Andrew Rannells as Doody, Victor W. Hawks as Roger, Ron DeStefano as the nerd Eugene, Shari Berkowitz as Frenchy and Emma Lampert as Jan. There’s an energetic and appealing turn for Michelle Pereira as Cha-Cha DiGregorio, the outsider at the prom, and Eugene’s transformation from nerd to hero guarantees laughter.

THE SCARSDALE INQUIRER, 3/17/00 by Bruce Bloom   The "Born to Hand Jive" number in Act 2 -- featuring the entire company in high gear at the hop -- is a terrific crowd pleaser. And so is “Beauty School Dropout,” which spotlights the transformation of Eugene, the ultimate nerd, into a rock star. Bottom line: a blast from the past, and a good time.

THE WESTCHESTER JOURNAL NEWS, 3/7/00 by Jacques Le Sourd   ...Angela Haag really stands out as one of the “good” girls, the cheerleader Patty Simcox.