LINWOOD — Featuring colorful costumes, sing-along songs and a high-energy cast, ‘Grease’ is the word on everyone’s mind as the Mainland Drama Club prepares to produce the popular musical for the first time.
“‘Grease’ holds a special place in the hearts of so many people, myself included,” director Phil Pallitto said. “It’s more than just a musical set in the 1950s or popular movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John; it’s about the struggle between conforming to societal expectations and staying true to oneself amid the backdrop of 1950s high school life.”
Pallitto said that despite its popularity, he had his doubts about selecting it as this year’s musical.
“At first glance, I didn’t love the ‘change yourself for a man’ moral that has received fair criticism,” Pallitto said. “However, after a bit more digging and some discovery about the original show, I started to see ‘Grease’ in a different light. At its core, this quintessentially teenage show is about so much more than love. Its themes of identity, friendship, love and the pursuit of belonging being more relevant now than when the script was written.”
Pallitto said that each couple featured in the musical, set at Rydell High School in 1959, grapples with the questions of who they are and where they fit in, confronting peer pressure, stereotypes and the fear of rejection along the way.
“Through their friendships, romances and conflicts, they discover that true acceptance comes from embracing their authentic selves and standing up for what they believe in,” Pallitto said.
Additionally, Pallitto said, the Greasers, who are rough around the edges but loyal to the core, remind the audience that growing up is messy.
“They’re imperfect but we love them for it. And ‘Grease’ is like that, too,” he said. “There certainly are moments in the show that don’t align with our current social values. However, not everything we put on stage is meant to be a model for behavior. Instead, it gives us an opportunity to look at our past with clear eyes and see it for what it was — the good, the bad and the in between.”
Costume designer Julie Jackson said she really enjoys doing period pieces, and “Grease” certainly lends itself to a lot of different looks.
“We are trying to keep it authentic and set in the ’50s, so we have a lot of important vintage pieces from the ’50s and made sure the silhouettes and the colors are very vibrant,” she said. “Phil and I wanted to keep it true to the period, true to the look of the period.”
Jackson said she shops in thrift stores and consignment shops for some of the clothing, even securing some vintage clothing, and creates some of the costumes as well.
She has been doing costume design for 40 years and said it adds an important element to the production.
“Once they have their costumes, they really get a sense of who they are and can ground themselves in the character,” Jackson said.
Juniors Mason Naman and Sam Goldstein portray lead male Danny Zuko and sidekick Kenickie. They both said they did a lot of research into their characters and the time period.
“It’s so cool to bring to life a show that so many people in the community love,” Naman said.
“I definitely had my eye on Kenickie right away,” Goldstein said. “It’s definitely a movie I have watched in my childhood even if it’s not in my generation, and it’s definitely a dream role.”
The student thespians put a lot of time and effort into the production, but their commitment takes other paths as well.
Goldstein got his hair styled specifically for the show by Mike Costello at Gas Up barbershop.
“I said ‘make me a Greaser’ and he did,” Goldstein said.
Naman said he grew out his sideburns.
While the two juniors appear in all four productions, many of the characters are double-cast because so many people are participating. Pallitto said there are 50 cast members and 15 to 20 members of the stage crew.
“There’s tons of talent on that stage,” Naman said, noting it’s necessary to double cast most of the characters to get more people in leading roles. “Watching all of our cast mates shine in their own way is great to see, and I think it’s a beautiful thing that we have so many people interested in the arts. “
“It’s nice to act with different people and see their different styles they bring to all of these characters, and seeing people in the ensemble take their characters to life is so amazing,” Goldstein said.“Seeing their talent on that stage every day, they shine under the lights.”
“Everybody is so interested to put this amazing show together that everybody knows,” Naman said.
Roselyn Driscoll, who was voted as most likely to be on Broadway in in senior superlatives, is performing in her eighth production. She, like many of the others, also takes part in the New Jersey Drama and Forensic League competition in the winter.
“I’m really lucky to be able to work with her,” Goldstein said.
Driscoll is one of two students portraying Rizzo.
“Such a great character. She’s so iconic and I really wanted to do her justice, but it’s been so fun putting my own spin on the role and going deeper into more than just what people see her as,” Driscoll said.
Linwood senior Bella Person is also playing Rizzo, in her first-ever show at Mainland.
“I really enjoy playing her,” Person said, noting she had participated in theater in middle school. “She has a lot of depth to her character and goes through a lot. I have been putting a lot into it and I think it’s paying off.”
Senior Katie Leonard is one of two students portraying leading lady Sandy.
“It’s so much fun to be in a show that I grew up with and to know the songs that I always sang. Now to see it put on with all my friends and I am playing a role that I know so well is so much fun,” Leonard said. “It’s so much fun and a great show to end on.”
Junior Kate Michel is also playing Sandy.
“I think the message of the show isn’t ideal for today but I really like the musicality of it and I think it’s such a bonding experience,” she said. “I think the message it sends is not ideal but we move past it, and the fact that Danny changes too sends a different message.”
James Sundra, backstage crew manager, said the production takes a lot of effort.
“The kids that are moving things on stage have been here until after sunset every day of the week, assembling the set, hanging the lighting,” he said.“My favorite part is if they do their jobs perfectly right, no one really knows they did it.”
Naman said the backstage crew is vital to the production.
“There’s no show without them. They probably do the most work out of everyone. They’re here the longest. They sit there painting the sets, designing the sets, make sure we are well-lit, well-dressed, we sound good. All of this show that people get to see isn’t solely based on the acting itself. It’s based on the fact that we have people backstage who are willing to get the unseen credit. Pallitto said the production would not be possible without the support the administration, Board of Education and supporters group Mainland Performing Arts Parents Organization
Show times are 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday.
The cast consists Kate Michel/Katie Leonard as Sandy, Mason Naman as Danny Zuko, Sam Goldstein as Kenickie, Bella Person/Roselyn Driscoll as Rizzo, Alex Piergiovanni/Sydney Shim as Doody, Yulian Pereira/Vincenzo Caruso as Roger, Jack Traa/Alyssa Nannolla as Sonny, Skylar Lauback as Eugene, DJ Bennett as Vince Fontaine, Kinsley Smith/Isabela Perez as Marty, Pauline Leiderman/Mia Patermo as Frenchy, Kira Finnegan/Audrey Seals as Jan, Kylie Smith/Haylee Cass as Patty Simcox, Bella D’Agostino/Angelina Forcella as Cha-Cha, Lucy Tabasso as Joan Casino, Madison McKnight as Lulu, Audrey Gill as Barbie and Mya Mazurek/Kylie Johnson as Miss Lynch.
The Burger Palace Boys Ensemble consists of Vincent Carleo, Sydney Shim, DJ Bennett, Vincenzo Caruso and Alyssa Nannolla.
The Pink Ladies Ensemble consists of Isabela Perez, Kylie Johnson, Haylee Cass, Casey Betanco, Diano Carmona, Evelyn Lowry, Evelynn Smith, Isabella Gonzalez, Julia Plamantouras, Macenzi Campbell, Mirabelle Columbo, Rowynn Shevlin, Adriana Marinelli, Amy Stefanowicz, Bryanna Benjamin and Sadie Gorbin.
Features dancers are Ryce Biacan, Ashely Welsey, Hailey Rhodes, Katie Leonard, Lilia Brough, Lucy Tabasso, Raegan Simon, Roselyn Driscoll, Audrey Gill, Megan Welsey, Madison McKnight, Bella D’Agostino, Kylie Smith and Angelina Forcella.
By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
