The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
‘Grease’ is the word at Lake Catholic
At Lake Catholic this weekend, they’re gonna party like it’s 1959.
It’s time for “Burger Palace Boys” and “Pink Ladies” as Lake Catholic doubles as Rydell High School with its annual spring musical, “Grease.” Performances are March 2, 3 and 4 at 7:30 p.m. and March 5 at 3 p.m. in the Lake Catholic High School auditorium in Mentor.
Tickets for the show are available online or in the school bookstore through Friday. Advanced tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for those 65 and older or alumni and $5 for student’s high school age and younger or children ages 2-17.
Scott Posey directs, and his primary reason for choosing this show was to continue to rebuild the program and to entice more male participants to the ensemble.
“It also gives students an opportunity to perform in an iconic show with iconic music that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to perform in,” Posey says of the popular title. “We realize that there may be some question as to why a Catholic school might be doing a production with some fairly heavy content and issues. The simple answer is that we have to present both the good and the bad sometimes on a stage so
that others may reflect upon it in their own lives.”
Posey has assembled a cast that includes underclassmen in leading roles, in addition to veterans taking on new challenges.
“Senior Brianne Martin (Jan) is having her first opportunity onstage after having served in stage management since her freshman year,” Posey says. “To see the amount that she has learned from the other side of the table and her ability to apply it now is very gratifying.
“Juniors, Dominic Orlando (Danny) and Makenna Bretz (Sandy), are making a wonderful pair playing opposite
each other on stage,” Posey added. “Each has grown from their past experiences here at Lake Catholic to their current understanding of what it means to truly be available in every facet to tell a story. Together they elicit some truly touching moments that I can’t wait for our audience to see.”
“I wanted to be a part of ‘Grease’ because I had done crew for every show at Lake since my freshman year and wanted to try something different for my last high school show,” says Brianne, 17, a member of marching band and LC Singers show choir. “‘Grease’ remains
popular because, at its core, we can all relate to each of the characters in a unique way.
“Additionally, although the show takes place nearly 60 years ago, high school is still high school,” she added. “The story still speaks to younger generations while providing a fun sense of nostalgia.
“I have been trying to overcome the anxiety and unfamiliarity that comes with performing in a show,” she continued. “I often feel silly and out of place, and I want to hopefully seem comfortable with acting way outside my comfort zone. My goal is to perform
with confidence.”
“Theater is a craft that takes many committed performers and crew working with a unified focus to achieve a quality product,” Posey says. “We are definitely feeling the impact of less preparedness due to students’ having loss of practice in the performing arts over the past three years.
“Also, kids today have schedules that are as full or even more than some adults. To have everyone in one giving location at one time is near impossible and we have done our utmost to navigate those scheduling challenges.”
Juniors Dominic Orlando and Makenna Bretz play Danny and Sandy, the leading couple.
“Each have grown from their past experiences here at Lake Catholic to their current understanding of what it means to truly be available in every facet to tell a story and to elicit some truly touching moments that I can’t wait for
our audience to see,” Posey says.
“I wanted to be a part of ‘Grease’ because it has always been an all-time favorite of mine due to its iconic characters and timeless music,” says Makenna, a 17-year-old Lake Catholic theater veteran. “I think it remains popular because it still works with situations today. It’s not a musical that would’ve only happened in the ’50s — it can happen in any time sequence whether it’s now or 70 years ago.”
“I’ve learned professionalism and modern theatrical industry standards from the experience and direction of Mr. Posey,” Dominic confirms
“I have tried almost every sport but theater was the only thing that stuck with me,” Makenna says. “It made me feel like me. Theater shows such as ‘Grease’ have made me free to express and show what I am capable of.”
Catch some “Summer Nights” at Lake Catholic this weekend.