Iced Lightnin’ Strikes

The smart-alecks among us greeted the first ads for “Grease on Ice”--starring Nancy Kerrigan as goody-two-shoes Sandy--with snickers.

“Has Tonya Harding been cast as Sandy’s nemesis, Rizzo?” some quipped. “Will they pour grease on the ice, like the title promises, to make the show really interesting?” others chortled.

But truth is: The ever-popular Jim Jacobs-Warren Casey musical is near-perfect for an ice show. The ‘50s-style rock ‘n’ roll songs are great music to move to, and once the dances are transformed into skating routines, they gain a propulsive energy that’s impossible on a stage.

This production--presented by the skating impresarios of Feld Entertainment, along with the stage folks at the Troika Organization--benefits from riveting routines that mix ‘50s dance moves with competitive skating feats (created by Barry Lather and Jamie Isley), as well as playful chrome-plated sets (designed by James Fouchard).

Most of all, though, the L.A.-area dates benefit from Kerrigan’s appearance. The Olympic silver- and bronze-medalist is already a national sweetheart, and her wholesome good looks are perfect for this girl-next-door role. Her smile’s so dazzling it threatens to melt the ice, and Tuesday’s opening-night audience--which was packed with squirming, excited kids--cheered its heart out for her.

As adapted and staged by Jerry Bilik, “Grease on Ice” retains the original songs--including “Summer Nights,” “We Go Together” and “Greased Lightnin’ “--and story structure.

The dialogue has been streamlined, of course, and a couple of the dance numbers have been reconceived. The most wryly funny of these is “Rock ‘n’ Roll Party Queen,” which turns the song on its ear by making the nerdy Eugene its subject, as he transforms from awkward, brainy goofball to sleek, studly barrel jumper.

The songs and dialogue are on tape, and a colleague who has seen more ice shows than I have assures me that, because this cast is at least attempting to lip-sync, it is miles ahead of most of the animated-character shows. Subtlety not being the forte of these presentations, every word is pantomimed, the gestures big enough to communicate to the back of the arena.

Though some of the show’s raunchier elements have been toned down for families, the dialogue retains plenty of naughty double-entendres. And, of course, the basic message remains troublesome, as always, since Sandy turns into a sex kitten to win Danny’s affection, rather than sticking to virtue. But kids probably won’t notice much of that. They’ll be too excited cheering for Canadian skater Matthew Williams’ too-cool Danny; for two-time national champion Scott Davis’ hot-rodding Kenickie; and for Mark Naylor and Lesley Rogers’ thrilling duo moves (“Don’t bang her head on the ice when you’re swinging her around by her legs like that!”) as Roger and Jan.

* “Grease on Ice,” Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 1:30 p.m. Arrowhead Pond, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. Tuesday and Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. $13.50-$27.50 (some close seats, $50 and $100). (213) 480-3232. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.