The Children’s Theatre of Annapolis production of Grease: The School Version will be performed on Jan. 6 at 7:30, Jan. 7 at 2:00 (American Sign Language Interpretation provided at this show only) and 7:30, Jan. 8 at 2:00, Jan. 13 at 7:30, Jan. 14 at 2:00 and 7:30, and Jan. 15 at 2:00. Visit the website www.
The word around town is…Grease is the Word. And Grease: The School Version, is coming to the Children’s Theatre of Annapolis this January. Loved by audiences since 1971, Grease: The School Version is the family-friendly version of the original Broadway show by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Re-written by Jim Jacobs, Grease: The School Version removes the harsh language and mature themes of the original story, but maintains the primary story line and charm, and nearly all of the original songs, including “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightning,” “Beauty School Dropout,” and “We Go Together,” and includes two songs that were written by John Farrar for the movie version, “You’re the One That I Want,” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You.”
This production is directed by the seasoned Christy Stouffer, with gifted music director Josh Konick, and the choreography by Jason Kimmell is electrifyin’.
Talented, local student actors include John LaRussa as the too-cool-for-school Danny Zuko and Mark Hollerbach as the tough and rude Kenickie, both seniors at Broadneck High School; Erin Paxton, a sophomore at Severna Park High School as sweet and innocent Sandy Dumbrowski; and Mariel White, a sophomore at Broadneck HS as the out-spoken, sarcastic Rizzo. The Pink Ladies include Jessica Straub (Frenchy); Cassidy Hamilton (Marty); Gillian Smith (Jan). The Burger Palace Boys include Isaac Simonaire (Doody); Sam Kobren (Roger); Andrew Bunker (Sonny). Memorable performances are also given by Paige Sachwitz (Patty), Miranda Snyder (Cha-Cha), Zeke Oulette (Eugene), Mac Smith (Vince Fontaine), and Teen Angel Austin Heemstra.
Few Broadway musicals have had the success or the following of Grease. Grease is the thirteenth longest-running Broadway show, debuting in New York in 1972 with revivals in 1994 and 2007 and several national tours. The 1978 movie, starring John Travolta and Olivia-Newton John created a teen film frenzy and the second-best selling album of the year, exceeded only by the soundtrack from Saturday Night Fever. Entering its fifth decade as a fan-favorite, “it’s automatic, it’s systematic, it’s hydromatic. Why, it’s Greased Lightning!”
