Break out the leather jackets and dust off your poodle skirts because it's back to the 1950s this weekend as Starr’s Mill High School presents the hit musical "Grease” by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Grease takes the Willie Duke Auditorium stage on Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m. and runs to Saturday, March 28.

Set in 1959 at Rydell High School, audiences will have an opportunity to meet the infamous T-Birds and Pink Ladies. Danny Zuko, played by junior Ross Wilcox, and Sandy Dumbrowski, played by junior Marleigh Nichols, head the cast of thirty singers, dancers, and actors who will bring to life the life and times of old Rydell High. Kenickie of the “Greased Lightning” fame is played by senior Michael Houck, and the tough Pink Ladies leader Betty Rizzo is played by senior Maegan Ewing. Other Pink Ladies include, Kari Lien, Chelsea Barker, and Amy Docalavich. Completing the T-Birds ensemble is Austin Soper, Dillon Roseen, and Coby Campbell. David Russell will play the role of Vince Fontaine, the has-been T-Bird, still trying to hang on to his youth.

New York based actor Mitch Dean will make a guest appearance as the Teen Angel who manages to point Frenchy in the right direction.. Mitch lives in NYC where he is currently in the Off Broadway cast of Altar Boyz. Other Credits include High School Musical 2 as well as the national tours of RENT and Altar Boyz. He is a 2005 Starr’s Mill Graduate.

Audiences will also have a chance to encounter the lovable disciplinarian of Rydell high school, Miss Lynch, played by senior, Anne Taylor Holley. Cha Cah Digregorio, the best dancer from St. Bernadette’s, is played by senior Poppy Lee. Anna Tucker will make the preppy school spirit girl, Patty Simcox more than a reality along side Eugene Florczyx, the school nerd, played by Trevor Comeau. Jordan Bailey brings to life the all-American, rock-star student, Johnny Casino.

SMHS students who round out the cast, playing the teens. include Amy Bonecutter, Anna Nutt, Buzz Mobley, Ceila Sullivan, David Emmel, Jake Milspaugh, John Mason, Keyondra Brooks, Sarah Burney, Sarah, Epling, Spencer Marion, Thomas Olesko, Anna Harrell, and Jacob McCarthy.

The set design consists of a 1950s theme backdrop and as a nod to the area’s golf cart lifestyle, the play includes the use of golf cart built to replicate a ‘57 candy apple red Chevy. The cart was supplied by Anderson County Carts in Anderson, South Carolina and is available for sale after the play.

The Tony award-winning musical debuted on Broadway in 1972 and ran for 3,388 performances, until 1980. A Broadway revival opened in 2007. “Grease,” the movie, was released in 1978 and starred Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. Memorable songs from Grease include Summer Nights, Beauty School Drop-out, Sandy, Look At Me I’m Sandra Dee and Greased Lightnin.’

The production features a six-piece rock 'n' roll band conducted by John Odom, which includes musicians Amy Meyer, keyboard; Sarah Ferree, tenor saxophone; Michael Avidano, tenor saxophone; Derrick Wolter, guitar; Jordan Hoskins, bass; and Ian Williams, drums. The school's drama teacher, David Spearman, is director and producer. Julia Lotti the school's choral teacher is the choral director for the musical. Choreography was handled by teacher and dance team coach, Courtney Savage.

General admission tickets are $8. Tickets are available at the school's front desk or by calling the drama department during school hours at 770-486-2710 ext 132 For more information, email spearman.david@fcboe.org.

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