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I saw Don’t Vape! The Grease Parody at the Nov 29, 2025 matinee Off-Broadway at Theater 555 and I laughed more in its 90 minutes than in most shows I’ve seen all year. This is exactly what a parody needs to be. It leans into the source material with full enthusiasm and sharp satire, updating the world of Grease for today while staying loyal to the feel of the original. The energy was constant and the comedy nonstop, making it an ideal distraction for anyone who just wants to have a great time at the theater.
The show’s premise is delightfully absurd. Same beloved characters and familiar plot beats, only now everyone vapes instead of smokes, social media runs the social hierarchy, and the world of Rydell High has been recast through a modern lens where classic tropes are gleefully skewered. It clearly understands what made Grease iconic and what makes it ripe for parody, and then it pushes both in directions that are silly, clever, and often hilariously true to life.
One of the funniest moments for me was when the cast sang about how they always get cast in parodies, which is absolutely true for many of them in real life. Audience energy was alive and loud, with laughter rolling through every quick joke and song twist.
The cast was incredible. SLee as Rizzo was riotous. She hit every gag with perfect timing and powerful vocals, layering in physical comedy and sharp wit in a way that never let the parody slack. Scott Silagy as Danny blended classic swagger with modern self awareness. His moves and reactions felt fresh and energized but still rooted in the original character’s essence. Lara Strong as Sandy found surprising moments of emotional truth in the chaos while still driving the humor home. Ryan Avoux as Kenickie gave a cool yet playful turn that kept me laughing. Dante Brattelli as Sonny had a perfect comic energy that supported every gag. Kristen Amanda Smith as Frenchy was a delightfully offbeat presence. Jen Clark as Jan and Meg Guiney as Marty round out a group that feels tight and versatile.
The writing by Catie Hogan and sketch group Sketchworks Comedy with lyrics and additional book by Billy Recce and Danny Salles is smart, rapid, and full of pop culture truth. The satire never feels shallow or mean. It feels affectionate and wise to both the source material and the world we live in now. The jokes flow fast, and if you miss one because you were laughing at the last, another is right behind it.
The musical arrangements by Lena Gabrielle and the direction by Jack Plotnick kept the show tight and moving. Even though the show riffs off beloved songs we all know, it spins them into something ridiculously new while still honoring the rhythms we remember. Choreography is playful and snappy, helping keep the pace brisk and the laughs continuous.
I wanted to see this show largely because of one of my favorite performers SLee, who I first saw in Stranger Sings!. She absolutely killed it here again. This cast feels like a family with great chemistry, and that makes the parody work onstage and in the room.
Don’t Vape! made me laugh from start to finish and reminded me why parody works when it is clever, fast, and loving. It never drags. Every gag lands with energy. I walked out smiling and still laughing a bit at some of the lines.
