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03/21/2016 10:02 AMFaster than “Greased Lightning,” come April 1 and 2, the Burger Palace Boys, Pink Ladies, and other fab ’50s teens from Rydell High will rule the school during three performances of Grease at the North Branford auditorium.
This is the third time Grease will be presented by North Branford High School (NBHS) drama, but the first time the Broadway version, which debuted in 1971, will include some popular songs from the 1978 movie, said director Cindy Genzano.
“Audiences will get the Broadway experience and the songs they love from the movie, like ‘Hopelessly Devoted’ and ‘You’re the One That I Want’—which is so iconic, it’s hard to think of doing the show without it,” said Genzano, now in her 32nd year directing NBHS productions.
The NBHS show also sprinkles in some surprise moves from TV’s Grease Live. Unaware of the TV special when planning the show last spring, Genzano calls the momentum it brings to the NBHS show “fortuitous” and said NBHS Drama was even contacted by Fox Television.
“They sent us T-shirts and buttons. It was exciting for the kids,” said Genzano.
The NBHS show features a live orchestra to back student-powered singing and dancing, with full-cast numbers delivered by a cast of 40. The musical’s many leads include several seasoned NBHS Drama members and the ensemble has some up-and-coming 8th grade performers on loan from North Branford Intermediate School.
Costumes and sets from the Eisenhower era mix with a few disco-colored props (from a certain Pink Lady’s pink hair to several sky-high silver hair-roller head dresses), combine with doo-wop, pop, and early rock song and dance to bring the audience back to Rydell High School in 1959. The story’s teen angst and tawdry humor share a slice of society embodied by Rydell’s senior class.
It’s also a love story of two characters willing to change for “the one that I want”: Danny Zuko, played by senior Spencer Wilson, and Sandy Dumbrowski, played by senior Kaylea Grandpre.
Grandpre is in her fourth year with NBHS Drama. She’s thrilled to play Sandy, a role immortalized in the movie by Olivia Newton-John.
“It was always a dream of mine, and a lot of my friends, to do this production. This cast is extremely dedicated and devoted,” said Grandpre, adding that her solo, “Hopelessly Devoted,” is her favorite song to sing, although “You’re the One That I Want” is a “close second.
“This show is extremely fun and it brings you into the ’50’s,” said Grandpre. “You really get a taste of the music and the attitude and going through high school again.”
Speaking of attitude, Wilson brings it as Danny, an iconic role played by John Travolta in the movie.
“There’s a lot of stuff he does in the movie that I want to replicate, but I also have my own take on it. We definitely have a lot of big characters in the play this year that are going to bring a lot of new perspectives that you might not have seen in the play or the movie,” said Wilson.
It’s Wilson’s first year with NBHS Drama and he names Grease among his top picks for musicals.
“This is one of my favorite productions ever. The vocals attracted me,” Wilson said. “One of my favorite songs is ‘You’re the One That I Want,’ because that’s a power song. Another I don’t sing the vocal lead for, but I definitely love, is ‘Greased Lightning,’ because it’s so much fun to dance to.”
Genzano said the talented cast, orchestra, backstage and technical student crew (led by senior Stage Manager Sarah Calamita), and parent volunteers (including many costumes and props crafted by the “Drama Mamas”) are adding up to create another smash-hit for NBHS.
“Everyone is beyond excited about this. They’ve been putting so much of their time and energy in the show,” said Genzano.
Genzano recommends advance ticket purchases—“We don’t always sell out, but I have a feeling this show is going to be hard to get a ticket to.”
More cast comments are at http://www.zip06.com/news/20160321/nbhs-grease-cast-comments
NBHS Drama presents "Grease" Fri., April 1 at 7 p.m. and Sat., April 2 at 1 and 7 p.m. at the North Branford Auditorium (located on the NBHS/Intermediate School campus, Foxon Road). Advance tickets: $12 adults; $10 for senior citizens/NHBS students/children younger than 12, on sale at the auditorium Wed. March 23, 4:30 -6:30 p.m.; Wed., March 30, 6 - 7:30 p.m. and Thurs., March 31, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. Tickets at the door $14 adults; $12 senior citizens /NHBS students/children younger than 12. For more information, call 203-484-1465 or email nbdrama2014@gmail.com