# Grease Goes Full Throttle: Five Stars for Pelican Productions at The Arts Theatre Adelaide **Review** — On Your Markus **Rating:** 5 out of 5 **Event:** Grease **Performance date:** Sunday 9 August 2026 **Venue:** The Arts Theatre **Tickets:** https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/grease-1596031 **Published:** 9 August 2026 **Author:** Markus Hamence **Source:** https://onyourmarkus.au/reviews/grease-pelican-productions-arts-theatre/ Pelican Productions stages Grease at The Arts Theatre in Adelaide from August 7 to August 9 2026, with the Teen Angel role shared between The 60 Four and Mark Stefanoff. --- ## Grease brings Rydell High roaring back to life in Adelaide **Grease is wrapping up its Adelaide run tonight, with Pelican Productions bringing its latest staging of the classic musical to a sold out final performance at The Arts Theatre.** Running from August 7 to 9, the production has brought Rydell High back to life with plenty of energy, nostalgia, big musical numbers and a cast clearly having a ball with the material. **There is a reason Grease continues to work so well on stage.** The songs are instantly recognisable, the characters are larger than life and audiences arrive already knowing many of the moments they are about to see. The challenge for any production is making those familiar songs and characters feel fresh, and Pelican Productions' staging does exactly that by putting the emphasis firmly on the performers, the energy of the ensemble and the sheer fun of being at Rydell High. One of the nice touches in this production is the decision to bring in two very different Adelaide acts to share the role of Teen Angel across the performances. Adelaide's **The 60 Four** have established themselves as one of the state's standout live entertainment acts, combining four part harmonies, slick choreography and serious stage presence in their celebrated 1960s tribute show. Their musical theatre connections run deep too, making them a particularly fitting choice for *Grease*. **Mark Stefanoff** brings a different kind of pedigree. The Adelaide performer has trained at the Victorian College of the Arts and Broadway Dance Centre, appeared on *The Voice Australia* and built an extensive professional musical theatre career spanning productions including *Kinky Boots*, *Hairspray*, *Godspell* and *Rent*, as well as international performance work. In other words, whichever performance you caught, you were getting a pretty special Teen Angel. The 60 Four or Mark Stefanoff is a fantastic addition to an already packed cast, and for fans of Adelaide's musical theatre scene, having either one step into the iconic *Beauty School Dropout* number is a genuine treat. From the moment the curtain goes up, the production looks and sounds the part. The costumes and styling are phenomenal, with the set, lighting and sound all pulling their weight. The talent on stage has drawn strong audience reaction too, including one young theatregoer so transfixed by the first act saying: > " I haven't blinked once since it started!"- Scarlett The Arts Theatre has long served as a home for local musical theatre, and this production fits neatly into that history of supporting mid scale community and semi professional work in the city. Adelaide has shown a consistent appetite for this kind of nostalgic, high energy musical, and the sold out final performance suggests that appetite is still very much alive. ### And then there is the cast. Alek Kudra brings plenty of energy and charisma to the role of **Danny**, while Ali Burns makes an equally strong impression as **Sandy**. The chemistry between the pair is central to *Grease*, and this production gives the two leads plenty to work with, particularly as the story moves between the fun, flirtation and more vulnerable moments of their relationship. The **Pink Ladies** are another standout. Caitlin Laventure brings attitude and presence to **Rizzo**, while Lucy Stirling as **Frenchy**, Kenya Styles as **Jan** and Emma Pool as **Marty** each bring their own personality to the group. Together, they capture the friendship, chaos and unmistakable confidence that make the Pink Ladies such an enduring part of the show. The **T Birds** are every bit as entertaining. Henry Green's **Kenickie** has plenty of swagger, with Will Fleming as **Doody**, Connor Foreman as **Roger** and Freddie Windle as **Sonny** rounding out the group. Their energy, comic timing and obvious enjoyment of the material make the gang scenes some of the most fun moments of the production. There are also plenty of strong performances throughout the wider ensemble, with the Dance Troupe and Rydell High students adding the scale and energy that a production of *Grease* needs. In a show like this, the ensemble has to make Rydell High feel alive, and this cast certainly delivers. **I could honestly go on, because there are strong performances right across the cast.** From Danny and Sandy to the Pink Ladies, the T Birds and the wider ensemble, there is a genuine sense that everyone is having a great time being part of Rydell High. That enthusiasm is infectious from the audience's side of the curtain, and judging by the reaction in the theatre, it travelled well beyond the stage. **With tonight's final performance sold out, the Rydell High gang will be saying goodbye to Adelaide for now.** For those who managed to get a ticket, this has been a fun, energetic and thoroughly entertaining few days at The Arts Theatre. *Grease* has proven itself across decades and countless productions as a show that delivers exactly what it promises, and Pelican Productions' staging brought plenty of its own energy and local flavour to the familiar songs and story. ![Ensemble cast in 1950s costume dancing on a neon-lit stage set during a Grease theatre production.](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/admin/2026/08/6387b50d-80a0-4731-9976-955413ef87a5.jpg) ![Cast members in 1950s-style costumes strike theatrical poses on a bed during a Grease stage production.](https://media.onyourmarkus.au/admin/2026/08/8a6297d0-97b4-436b-9171-ff1872d61af7.jpg)