Ari Viner Lemelin / 2023-10-24
I saw the play Bear Grease on 12/10/23 at the NAC. This was a very interesting play to watch. Firstly, there were no main sets. This made it very interesting to watch. The use of a screen at the back of the stage was compelling. Secondly, although Bear Grease is classified as a musical, I’m not sure I would classify it that way. The way this play is designed is that there is a song, then cut to black, then another song, then cut to black, and so on and so forth. The interruption of the cut to black, everytime puts it in à separate category to me than a musical. Furthermore, a musical combines song, dance, acting and spoken dialogue. Bear Grease had very very few lines of spoken dialogue. Thirdly, as a single one who is more on the plus sized side of things, it was very important to me to see so much body positive representation. To me, that made the show so much more enjoyable to watch.
One thing about the costumes is that they were very rough around the edges. Normally this would detract from the performance, however, Indigenous peoples are in favor of the rough around the edges look, as such, this added to the overall performance. One of the things I loved about the costumes was how they blended the Indigenous elements, like Danny’s, and many of the other men’s beaded necklaces, and the 50’ style. The elvis hair, leather jacket and the beaded necklace of Danny’s costume worked very well with the whole idea of, “we would have made it here without you.” Since it mixes both styles, while not allowing either to overpower the other. While there is more inspiration from the 50’ the necklace is so promonet and to the forefront of the costume that it balances well. And, while I do think that the elvis hair was a little over the top, it adds to the satire effect of the play.
One of the most interesting things about this show was how there were zero main sets. Most of the time the stage was completely empty except for the actors. While, yes, I do think they could’ve benefited from a set of stairs, or something to divide up the space, with the amount of dancing that this play has in it it is not surprising that there were no main sets. Also I wish to make note that the space that they were performing in was not very well suited to the play. The stage was very deep, and this play seems to be more suited to a studio. One of the most integral parts of the performance was the screen that took up the entire back of the stage. The performance starts with a black and white video giving credit, respect, and acknowledging the black musicians that much of our music is based on. At first I did not like the video because the only thing I could think was, “We are here to see a play, not a movie.” But the more I thought about it, the more I liked the idea of not letting the show begin without giving credit to, and giving à nod to the black community. Furthermore, the screen was also used to create atmosphere. At certain points in the show, it would show images of a classic 50’s diner. Creating a very “classic american” feel to the show. It was fascinating to have that coupled with the Indigenous peoples. When you think about “classic american” you usually do not think about the Indigenous peoples, however, in this world the whole conflict and forced and violent assimilation of the Indigenous peoples never happened. So it makes sense they would have the classic 50’s diner. It is, yet again saying, “ Even without you we would have grown.” The screen was also used to show clips. Like during the song, “Meet me at the pow wow” Clips of past Pow Wow were shown. Many Indigenous peoples in their traditional garb, shown on stage with these Indigenous peoples in 50’s garb, was very cool, and made you think. Also, since ther were no sets used, save for the bed, light, microphone, and trash bin with the fire in it, it made all the props stand out that much more. For example, the letter than Danny was writing, the boombox, everything, everything stood out that much more.
The lighting was one of the most amazing parts of the show. The way the lights were used added so much to the show. For example, at multiple points in the show the lights were projected into the audience. This added a level of interactivity to the show. And I loved it. Also at multiple points in the show the lights were used to create a sort of zone effect. And they were also used to make the stage look like it was made of stones. Furthermore, during the songs where Danny and Sandy were on stage together, pink lights were on Sandy, Blue for Danny and yellow for when they sang together. This also helped enforce the main message, by incorporating the “blue for boys and pink for boys'' kinda thing. As I mentioned before at multiple points, the lights went into the audience, and created designs. One of the things I am unsure about, is if the people in the audience could appreciate them, and if we could only really, fully appreciate them because we were in the balcony, above everything.
With regards to the acting, my impression was that there wasn't much acting that occurred.The majority of the play, save a few spoken lines, was mostly dancing and singing. And while the music and singing were fantastic, the words that were sung made us feel more, and kept me far more interested than what the actors were doing on stage. The interaction between Sandy and Dany felt stilted and scripted. I didn't feel that there was much chemistry between the two of them, even though they are married.
There were so many interesting choices made by the directors, however, the most eye-catching was the choice to forgo an elaborate makeover scene. Normally in American teenage dramas and shows, the makeover scene is the most anticipated and the one that the most emphasis is placed on. However, in this play, not only were zero actors on stage, but there was a short animated film that was played instead. One of my peers (Jen) referred to the experience as, “A splash of cold water in the face.” And I completely agree. It was as unexpected as it was bracing. The denial of the classic makeover scene assisted with the idea that this was in a parallel world.
I adored the idea to use grease as the base of the play. It added so much to the satirical mood of the play. Taking this classic “american” movie and using it to emphasis how damaging what happened to the Indigenous peoples was a phenomenal idea. Additionally, I loved how they made it real at the end. They show us this hilarious show full, of Indigenous references, and jabs at their own culture, and then they bring at all back to the fact this needs to be in a fictional world because of the sad fact that this would not have been possible due to everything that happened.
I loved the show, and would definitely recommend it to everyone who wants a laugh but also a reality check. I would rate this piece of theatre a 3.6/5.