Grease is the word yet again
For those hopelessly devoted to the musical Grease, the relationship can be rekindled at an upcoming Hamilton performance.
When the bell sounds in August, The Pink Ladies and T-Birds will take centre stage, reuniting for a week-long run of Grease, put together by students from Hamilton Girls’ High School and Hamilton Boys’ High School.
It will be directed by Margie WynneJones, who has more than 20 years’ experience. She said the production was an updated ‘‘fresh’’ version of the classic stage show.
The favourite characters Danny Zuko, Rizzo and ‘‘Sandra Dee’’ will all be brought to life on stage by the cast of 70.
They have kept the original script, as well as the music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.
And with a 15-piece band performing all of the early rock and roll tunes, such as Greased Lightning and Summer Lovin’, it’ll be hard not to get your groove on.
‘‘You can’t help but be happy by it,’’ Wynne-Jones said. ‘‘It’s a bright, polished performance.’’
Grease is a 1971 musical set at fictional Rydell High School and follows 10 teenagers as they navigate peer pressure, personal core values and love.
At the time it closed in 1980, Grease’s 3388-performance run was the longest in Broadway history.
The conjoint high school cast has been rehearsing for three months and WynneJones said they were all ‘‘ready to go’’.
The school’s auditorium has been completely transformed into a real theatre showcasing the 1950s set and the kids have had such a good time doing it, she said.
The costumes have been pulled together by Joy Wright and choreography by Vicki Wenham.
Wynne-Jones encourages people to come and see the level of talent on display.
The cast was chosen following more than 400 auditions.
Jeremii Lavasi’i has the role of the iconic Teen Angel, played by Frankie Avalon in the film.
He sings Beauty School Drop-Out to Frenchy, and Lavasi’i said he was ‘‘nervous but excited’’ to embody the character.
The HBHS year 11 student has been doing school shows for three years, and was last year cast in Jesus Christ Superstar.