‘Grease’ continues at Sussex Academy April 5-6
Performances of the iconic musical “Grease” will continue at 7 p.m., Friday, April 5, and 1 and 7 p.m., Saturday, April 6, at Sussex Academy in Georgetown.
The rollicking show features Rydell High's senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding Burger Palace Boys and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking Pink Ladies in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s.
Head "greaser" Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their "Summer Nights" as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as "Greased Lightnin'," "It's Raining on Prom Night," and "Hopelessly Devoted to You," recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation.
Sussex Academy’s production will feature more than 40 students, a teacher and its head of school, whose appearance has created a lot of buzz among the student body.
“I don’t think, in my limited time in the theatre program, that I’ve seen people more excited for a show,” said sophomore Savannah Nagy, who will play Sandy.
Some students, such as junior Jake Farrell, have even decided to quit their spring sports in order to be in the production. “I dropped out of a varsity spot in our golf team to do ‘Grease,’ because I have such a fun time with the cast and everyone in the theatre program,” said Farrell. “Every show I have been in prior to ‘Grease’ has just been so fun, and I have made so many friends through this show.”
The excitement surrounding ‘Grease’ has even inspired several newbie to be a part of the program.
“Having ‘Grease’ as our spring musical has attracted so many new and old faces to the theatre program,” said senior Ellyes Baghouli, who will play Danny. “It’s been an absolute blast to see people who are new to theatre grow and love the art of performing.”
Junior John Kent bypassed lacrosse this season to play funny guy and Burger Palace Boy Roger. “I had wanted to do theatre for quite some time, so when the mention of ‘Grease’ was spread through the non-theatre group as an option, a large number of us even considered going for leads in the show,” said Kent. “After sitting at the interest meeting in a room full of people classified as the thespians whom we thought so different from us, we realized just how similar we were. There really wasn’t any turning back from there, so now we have a more diversified cast as far as theatrical experience goes. I have enjoyed every minute of every practice I have attended and all the people that come with it.”
Seasoned cast members include seniors Connor Hall, who plays bad boy Kenickie, and Kyra Cutsail, playing Pink Lady Jan.
“I have never directed a show where staff are sneaking into rehearsal to listen and watch. We have even had some staff members staring in through windows outside of the cafetorium,” said Director Erin Bobby. “Even with its edgy content – or perhaps because of it – there’s something about ‘Grease’ that is addictive. I feel like its positive energy has brought our actors, staff, and student body together.”
Performances will also feature a 50-50 raffle, pizza and popcorn for sale, a “Grease” car cut-out photo booth, and a silent auction to win a cast-signed “Grease” album cover and a framed, cast-signed “Grease” playbill.
Parental discretion is advised, as “Grease” contains some PG-13 material, including vulgar language, sexual references, smoking, drinking and some mild violence. “Grease” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc.
Tickets can be purchased at the door and are $10 for adults and $5 for students/children. Sussex Academy is at 21150 Airport Road, Georgetown. For more information, go to www.sussexacademy.org.
