SJS Grease the Musical 2022

Saint John's School Teatro Tapia April, 1-3, 2022

The Musical

Saint John's School proudly presents

The Musical Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey with

Alejandro Hernández Joseph Barlia Roni Lewy Nicolás Rivera Alejandro Madero

Cecilia Colberg Monica García Renée Morales Amanda Rodríguez Natalie Dalmau

Directed by Marian Pabón Choreographed by Ivana Méndez "Grease" is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.

235 Park Avenue South, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10003

JIM JACOBS (Book, Music and Lyrics). Jacobs, who created Grease (in 1970) with Warren Casey, was born and raised on the mean streets of Chicago’s far northwest side. During the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll (1956-1960) he was a guitar-playing “greaser” student at Taft High School. In 1963, Jacobs met Warren Casey when they were both cast in a local theatre production of A Shot in the Dark. Seven years later they wrote what was to become one of the greatest musicals of all time. Grease opened in 1971 in a former trolley barn called the Kingston Mines Theatre in Chicago. A year later, Grease made it to Broadway and “Greasemania” took off, resulting in one of the longest running shows in Broadway history. The 1978 movie became and remains the highest grossing movie musical of all time. Originally an actor, Jacobs has been seen on television, in motion pictures, regional theatre, national tours, and on Broadway. He is the coauthor of several other plays and musicals including Island of Lost Coeds, a musical spoof of the low budget sci-fi/horror/jungle movies of the 1950s, which he wrote with Warren Casey. In May 2014, Mr. Jacobs was presented with an honorary doctorate degree from Columbia College in Chicago. He currently resides in Southern California and remains active in the theatre, especially with the American Theatre Company of Chicago.

WARREN CASEY (Author, Composer and Lyricist) was born in Yonkers, New York, and attended Syracuse University. During the late ‘50s, he learned all about “greasers” while working as an art teacher in upstate New York. He moved to Chicago in 1962, where he hoped to pursue an acting career. He appeared in dozens of productions, including creating the role of Bernie Litko in David Mamet’s Sexual Perversity in Chicago. He supported himself with jobs in retail, including working as an assistant manager of a chain of apparel stores, and as a record salesman. In the meantime, he taught himself how to play the guitar and began writing songs. Mr. Casey acted with the Chicago Stage Guild (where he met Jim Jacobs), the Old Town Players, and the Kinston Mines Theatre. The latter company staged the original production of GREASE which he wrote with Jim Jacobs.

After the incredible success of both the musical and the movie, the two collaborated on Island of Lost Coeds, a musical satire of the Bmovies of the 1950s. Mr. Casey died in 1988.

“Hopelessly Devoted To You” Written by John Farrar © 1978 Unichappell Music Inc. (BMI), Ensign Music Corporation (BMI) and John Farrar Music (BMI) All Rights Administered By Unichappell Music Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

"You’re The One That I Want” Written by John Farrar © 1978 Unichappell Music Inc. (BMI), Ensign Music Corporation (BMI) and John Farrar Music (BMI) All Rights Administered By Unichappell Music Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

“Sandy” Written by Scott Simon and Louis St. Louis © 1978 Ensign Music Corporation (BMI) All Rights Administered By Unichappell Music Inc. All Rights Reserved. Used By Permission.

“Grease” Word and Music by BARRY ALAN GIBB © SONGS OF UNIVERSAL, INC. ON BEHALF OF CROMPTON SONGS (BMI) 100% interest for the Territory.

Not for broadcast transmission.

All Rights Reserved. DO NOT DUPLICATE.

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION OR DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS ON ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR'S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://shop.samuelfrench.com/content/files/pdf/piracywhitepaper.pdf

Synopsis Rydell High's spirited Class of '59 gum-chewing, hub-cap-stealing, hot rod-loving boys with D.A's and leather jackets and their wise-cracking girls in teased curls, bobby socks, and pedal pushers capture the look and sound of the 1950s in a rollicking musical that salutes the rock 'n roll era. While hip Danny Zuko and wholesome Sandy Dumbrowski resolve the problems of their mutual attraction for each other, the gang sings and dances its way through such nostalgic scenes as the pijama party, the prom, the Burger Palace, and the drive-in movie.

Musical Numbers Act I 1.

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Grease - Entire Company Summer Nights - Sandy, Danny, Pink Ladies & Greasers Those Magic Changes - Doody & Greasers Freddy My Love - Marty & Pink Ladies Greased Lightnin' - Kenickie, Danny & Greasers Rydell Fight Song - Sandy & Patty Moonin' - Roger & Jan Look at Me I'm Sandra Dee - Rizzo Hopelessly Devoted to You - Sandy

Act II 1.

2.

3.

4.

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Shakin' at the High School Hop - Entire Company It's Raining on Prom Night - Sandy & Radio Voice Born to Hand-Jive - Johnny Casino & Backup Singer Beauty School Dropout - Teen Angel, Frenchy & Choir Sandy - Danny Rock 'n Roll Party Queen - Doody & Roger There Are Worse Things I Could Do - Rizzo You’re The One That I Want - Sandy and Danny, Entire Company We Go Together - Entire Company

Message From the Head of School

Congratulations to this year's Cast and Crew for the remarkable production of Grease The Musical.

Thank you to the students, teachers, staff, and volunteers who go out of their way to make our Saint John's School musicals memorable, year after year.

Special thanks to Ms. Marilynne Negrón & Ms. Ana Millón for their continued commitment and dedication.

Lorraine Lago Head of School

Who's Who in the Cast

Danny Zuko

Alejandro Hernández ‘23 Alejandro Hernandez, an SJS junior, is an actor with a wide range of talents. Alejandro has done four years of acting preparation at Jóvenes Sobre las Tablas, two years of acting classes within SJS and receives coaching from actress Jazmin Caratini, including voice lessons. Due to his early interest in acting, he was given advice to join the musical and hone his abilities. Since then, he has taken roles such as Eugene from the original Grease, Uncle Fester in Broadway Review and now Danny Zuko.

Alejandro describes Danny as “...the tough and cool guy that is the leader of the T-birds but that’s only front he puts on due to the pressure of his friends and his own insecurities. He only really lets his guard down with the person he truly loves. Sandy…”

Favorite Character Line: “I don’t know why I brought this tire iron! I coulda yanked these babies off with my bare hands!”

Sandy

Cecilia Colberg ‘23 Cecilia Colberg, is a caring and devoted junior who always tries to make others laugh. “I have always been involved in theater and with singing in general, participating in Noche Bohemia every year and being inducted into the International Thespian Society this year.” Having participated in the school musical since fourth grade, she was just an elementary dancer until her first minor role as a Delta Nu in the school’s production of Legally Blonde. Then came Goldilocks in Shrek The Musical, and her first lead role as Sandy in Grease after that. Cecilia took singing lessons for a couple of years with her “amazing singing teacher, Hilda Ramos”.

Cecilia describes her character Sandy as a, “very reserved girl and what many would describe as the stereotypical ‘good girl’.

However, she definitely has way more layers to her than first meets the eye. Sandy’s witty and clever. She doesn’t let herself be the punching bag and is always hopeful that things will get better. She’s the new girl at school, which is already quite scary and uncomfortable. She also has to deal with her so-called friends being awful to her and the guy she thought she loved being cold towards her. She has a lot on her plate and is just doing the best she can.”

Favorite Character Line: “Tell me about it, stud.”

Monica García ‘26 Monica Garcia, a hard working, creative, and goal oriented 8th grader, is playing Rizzo. Playing this character has been a dream role for her for as long as she can remember. Her theater experience started at a young age and in 4th grade she had a role as the judge in Legally Blonde. Additionally, she had the role of the Gingerbread Man in the school’s production of Shrek The Musical.

Monica started taking singing lessons at the age of six and, up until a few months ago, also took dance lessons.

Rizzo

Monica describes Rizzo as, “The leader of the Pink Ladies and does not like Sandy from the beginning since she thought she was too pure. She is very sarcastic, sassy, tough, and has a dark personality. Towards the end of the musical the audience gets to see a soft vulnerable side of Rizzo.”

Favorite Character Line: [singing] “ I don't steal, and I don't lie, but I can feel, and I can cry, a fact I bet you never knew, but to cry in front of you, that's the worst thing I could do.”

Kenickie

Joseph Barlia ‘22 Joseph Barlia, is a senior who describes himself as the opposite of the character he plays, Kenickie. “My character is the bad boy in the show, isn’t a leader, and isn’t someone anyone should look up to.

He’s anything but a leader.” Joseph started participating in the school musical productions when he was in the fourth grade and has been in The Little Mermaid, Hairspray, The Addams Family, The Wedding Singer, Legally Blonde, Shrek The Musical, Grease, Broadway Revue, and Grease The Musical. “Definitely my most favorite one has been Grease, but the funniest part I’ve played was the character of Nikos, the pool boy in Legally Blonde.” To become a character he says that he prepares for any scene and any musical by, “imagining myself as the character and everything that my character does by imagining I’m someone else. I imagine someone who is similar to my character and then I act like them”.

Joseph describes Kenickie in Grease The Musical as the coolest character in the show. “He is the ‘leader’ of the Burger Palace boys, even though everyone knows the real leader is Danny. Kenickie thinks he’s the coolest and the best. He is the strongest mentally and physically and does not show any signs of emotion. He is what people consider the ‘cool kid’.”

Favorite Character Line: “Okay, Rizzo, if that's how you feel, why dont'cha go back to your little pajama party? Plenty of chicks would get down on their knees to ride around in this little number.” This is his favorite line because, “If Rizzo doesn’t want to ride around in my Grease Lightning, she’s not the one.”

Renée Morales ‘22 Renee Morales, a full of confidence senior plays Frenchy. She loves the acting, dancing, and singing required of musical theater performers. This isn’t her first experience with SJS musicals as she has backstage experience, was previously cast in the role of Jan during the 2019-20 Grease The Musical production, and was also a part of the SJS play production of She Kills Monsters. Renee says that her most significant role of all that she has done, however, is that of Evita performing “Another Suitcase in Another Hall”.

Frenchy

When describing her character Frenchy Renee says that, “From my perspective Frenchy was the one true friend Sandy had, like a trope, ‘always the true and good friend’. The best way I found to connect to the character of Frenchy was to look at how we are both passionate about the beauty industry. She is in the business of beauty, and, as a student at SCAD, I will be majoring in the business of beauty and fragrance.”

Favorite Character Line: “Jeez! What am I gonna do? I mean, I can’t just tell everybody I dropped out of beauty school…Boy, I wish I had one of those Guardian Angel things…somebody always there to tell ya’ what’s the best thing to do.”

Roni Lewy ‘27 Roni Lewy, a dedicated, caring, and enthusiastic 7th grader is passionate about everything he does, especially artistic things. Since the age of five, he has been involved in the performing arts. “In 2019 I joined the school production of Grease The Musical and loved everything about it: learning the songs, dancing, and meeting new people. I even got my own name which was “Slider”. The next year he auditioned for the production of Broadway Revue, and said it was a challenging but amazing experience. His favorite roles were Mike in the solo, “I Can Do That” and Pugsley in “When You’re an Addams.”

Roni has been able to appear in some TV shows such as Súbete A Mi Moto on Amazon Prime and Gorditas Chronicles on HBO Max.

Doody

Roni describes his character Doody, the youngest of the T-birds, as someone who feels the need to prove himself, with many of his comments being both out of place and funny at the same time.

“Doody admires Danny and the rest of the gang and thinks of them as older brothers. While being with them he acts ‘cool’ but with Frenchy whom he likes, he shows the shy part of his personality. The majority of the characters in Grease, including mine, are cartoonish.

Doody is also a rock star wannabe. He loves to sing and is confident that he has talent and someday he will be able to become a great singer.”

Favorite Character Line: “I have never heard that song before, but if I don’t hear it anymore, it’s still familiar to me, sends a thrill right through me, cause those chords remind me of the night that I first fell in love with those magic changes.”

Marty

Amanda Rodriguez ‘22 Amanda Rodriguez, a senior who can best be described as tenacious says, “When I care about something I may get carried away, and some may call me stubborn, but over time people realize I do all of what I do because I care.” She loves being able to collaborate with others which is why she always tries to be part of theatrical productions, take on leadership roles in clubs such as International Thespian Society or the TED-ED Club, and involve herself in sports like basketball. Amanda was a part of was Legally Blonde when she was in the 8th grade. During her freshman year she decided to devote whatever time was available to the fall play which meant she wasn’t able to be a part of the main Shrek The Musical cast. “I was a part of the ensemble for the version of Grease The Musical we had worked on in 2020 and I participated in the Broadway Revue (as Maggie from A Chorus Line and Gretchen from Mean Girls). The 2022 version of Grease The Musical is definitely my favorite production with Saint John's.

Amanda describes her character Marty as "the beauty" of the Pink Ladies, “which is honestly an honor because I'm surrounded by several absolutely beautiful humans at all times. Since Marty looks older, she often pretends to actually be older by attracting older men and trying to act sophisticated, but she quickly reveals her true self with her words and actions. I consider Marty to be the most sarcastic of all the girls after Rizzo, but under all of what she shows she really is quite the anxious person. I believe most of what she represents is a front for others to view her as the false image she believes would get her farther.”

Favorite Character Line:"Twinkies and wine? That's real class, Jan."

Sonny

Nicolas Rivera-Millón ‘24 Nicolas Rivera-Millón, a dedicated member of the musical since 4th grade where he participated in The Addam’s Family, is currently a sophomore. He credits his mother for getting him involved in theater because she loves The Addam’s Family, “When she found out it was going to be the musical that year she told me I should participate.” He describes himself as a jack-of-all-trades who believes that sports, music, science, and theater are all essential components of his being.

Nicolas describes his character, Sonny, as a, “Goofy type of guy who thinks he’s the cream of the cream… the hottest guy in class who’s very full of himself. A guy who’s very full of himself but looks up to the protagonist, Danny Zuko, as the ideal guy he wants to be. Sonny is an ambitious and hot headed senior studying at Rydell High.”

Favorite Character Line: "What's wrong Zuko you got the hots for that cheerleader or something, huh?!" and the iconic line said by most of the T-birds in the musical, "Friggin A!!!"

Jan

Natalie Dalmau ‘24 Natalie Dalmau is a 10th grader in her first year at Saint John’s School.

Moving from Southern California, she describes herself as a “very happy person”. It’s her continual goal to make others around her smile, and she finds the perfect opportunities to do so in theater.

“Whether I’m acting and I put a smile on someone’s face, or I’m singing… I always feel happier making others happy.” Although initially nervous about moving to a new school, she found a welcoming home in the musical’s cast. Her first ever musical was in third grade and she has performed in various others such as, Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Annie, Lion King, The Sound of Music, and Mary Poppins.

Natalie sees the resemblance between her Grease character Jan and herself, “Jan is in many ways a lot like me, she is extremely outgoing with her girlfriends, and shy with the guys. I believe Jan is simply the glue to the friend group. She will always do her best to make her friends smile, even after the worst has happened to them.”

Favorite Character Line: "MIGHTY AAAA THAT'S THE UGLIEST THING I EVER SAW"

Alejandro Madero ‘25 Alejandro Madero is a fifteen year old 9th grader who really likes musicals, is excited to be a part of Grease The Musical, and is playing Roger. He enjoys music, the arts, and STEM subjects. Being a part of the school musical began for him in the 7th grade with the original Grease The Musical production in 2019-20. He has been in the ensemble until this year and says that Grease has been his favorite to be a part of. In addition to participating in school musicals, he has been playing the piano for the last two years after switching from a nine year run of playing violin.

Roger

Alejandro describes his character Roger as, “The kind of character where everything is a joke to him, I mean half of the time I'm on stage I'll probably be making a joke out of something or someone.”

Favorite Character Line: “You mean your old lady dragged her carcass out of bed for ya?”

Eugene

Amir Trinidad ‘24 Amir Trinidad, a current sophomore who plans to study filmmaking in college, is playing Eugene. Amir describes himself as a person who fell in love with the performing arts at a young age and from there, exposed himself to different areas of the field like acting, dancing, and singing. He started in the theater in 6th grade and has been in the school productions of Legally Blonde, Shrek The Musical, and Grease The Musical. His favorite role was that of the Donkey in Shrek The Musical. The year after that he says he didn't have a named ​character, but was the dance captain the first time the school did Grease. Now, for this production of Grease The Musical, he plays Eugene. While Amir always does the usual preparations like stretching and vocal warmups, he admits that he had to do specific preparations dedicated towards this character, “I had to work to perfect Eugene's laugh, voice, and physicality (the way he walks, stands, etc.).”

Amir describes his character Eugene as, “The typical naive and gullible nerd of Rydell High School. He's usually the butt of the joke and has an insane crush on Patty Simcox, the school's do-good cheerleader.”

Favorite Character Line: “My favorite quote from Eugene is a line said in the first scene of the second act, ‘PATTY! PATTY!’. The moment in which the line is delivered, and the awkward silence afterwards truly makes it hilarious!”

Patty

Mariana Toro ‘22 Mariana Toro, a senior who has consistently participated in Noche Bohemia, the talent show, school plays and musicals. She serves as president of the International Thespian Society. She loves anything having to do with reading, writing, music, acting, and social justice.

Mariana says she started participating in Saint John’s musicals, “as soon as I came here in 5th grade because I had always loved singing and grew up in an environment that exposed me to appreciation for all forms of art.” The first production she did was Hairspray. Then came The Addams Family and The Wedding Singer. “I got my first role with lines in Legally Blonde as Whitney, and then Mama Bear in Shrek The Musical. My favorite performance would have to be a tie between The Wedding Singer and Broadway Revue. She takes singing lessons with Hilda Ramos vocal studio, and also plays guitar and electric bass at El Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico.

Mariana describes her character Patty as extremely ambitious and outspoken. “She’s someone who knows what she wants and will go to all lengths to get it. She's very passionate in every sense of the word and I like to believe that, at her core, she is a hopeless romantic. She's extremely sensitive and wishes above all else to be included and recognized for everything she does.”

Favorite Character Line: “Ugh! He’s such a ladykiller!”

Miss Lynch

Maria Victoria Sanz ‘22 Maria Victoria Sanz is a senior and while this will be her final musical production at Saint John’s, it will probably not be her last performance overall. She comes from a musical and artistic family.

Her father had bands when he was younger; and her family has always been super supportive in pushing her to pursue musical endeavors. Maria Victoria has been in formal training for four years taking singing, piano, and musical seminary lessons. When she was younger her parents would place her in acting productions. Her earliest memory is playing the role of a mouse in a Cinderella production at around age five. She is described by friends and peers as a funny, talented, loyal, beautiful good friend who suffers from separation anxiety when she can’t be with them.

When asked which production was her favorite to be a part of over the years she said, “Grease!!!! It’s my last one at school and I’ve built the most memories and bonds preparing for this one.”

Maria Victoria describes her character Miss Lynch as the disliked strict teacher who is only liked by those that find her favor as teacher's pets.

Favorite Character Line: “Are you going to stand there all day?”

Cast

Alyssa Rios

Eliana Candelario

Laura Cabello

Matthew Sims

Lucia Feliciano

Veronica Levis

Francisco Fernández

Ensemble

Alexandra Sosa

Alia Marrero

Anna Cruzado

Brianna Carlo

Dana Lewy

Melrose Pineau

Natan Lugo

Rodrigo Ortiz

Denise Heal

Itzel Trinidad

Sara Beatriz González

Eugene Ayers

Gianna Tomassini-Arocho

Juliana Wingard

The Musical

Elena Toro Head

CREW Emily Zou Assistant Head

Backstage

Hair & Makeup

Props

Ella Fournier Head

Mary Jane Sims Head

Fernanda Rodríguez Head

Addasyn Elemari

Veronica Costa

Andrea Martínez

Bianca Dueñas

Antonio de Thomas

Costumes

Sound

Ria Singh Head

Diego Nieves Head

Annia Guindin

Carlos Levis

Rania Marrero

Narayana Villanueva

Production Staff Marian Pabón - Director Laura Molina - Assistant Director Ivana Méndez - Choreographer & Stage Manager Marilynne Negrón - Producer Ana Millón - Assistant Producer

Pedro J. Rivera - Vocal Coach Abimael Viana - Musical Director José Manuel Díaz - Scene Design Luis Muñoz - Greased Lightning Car Design Juan Carlos Rivera - Stagehand & Scene Shifter Ronald Borrás - Lighting Design IR Sound Corp. - Sound Design Ilanit Edry & Evelyn Biton - Photographers Grease Live Band René Molina - Lead Guitar Arnaldo Rivera - Drums Jan Louis Rivera - Bass Guitar Abimael Viana - Piano & Keyboard Pedro J. Rivera - Voice Conductor & Chorus Director Adía S. Cotto, Héctor Rosa, Azul M. Cabra - Chorus

Production Staff Elianne Duek - Costume Design Iliana González, Carolina Medero, Eugenia Fidalgo & Ana María Rivera Costume Design Assistants Marta Ezal - Hair and Make-up Artist Iliana González & Ana Millón - Props Design Iliana González, Ana María Rivera & Marilynne Negrón Backstage Coordination Brendaly Marcano - Playbill Design Ellena López, Ainslee Eller, Iman Mukhtar, Ria Singh & Elena Toro Who's Who in the Main Cast Writer Nicolas Rivera - Cast Photographer for Playbill Ticketera / Marilynne Negrón - Ticket Sales

Thank You

We would like to thank the following people for their unconditional help, commitment, and dedication to Grease The Musical

Luma Al-Attar Francine Arocho Eugene Ayers Arquímedes Ávila Evelyn Biton Lizzette Bobonis Nissa Cardona Wilfredo Delgado Elianne Duek Nanette Dueñas Ilanit Edry Audelis Fernández Luis Fernández Eugenia Fidalgo Lourdes García Iliana González

Teresa González Marisol González Lorraine Lago Ellena López Brendaly Marcano Carolina Madero René Molina Pablo Nieves Samuel Ortiz Lydia Pedraza Ángel Piñero Arnaldo Pizarro Ana María Rivera Chelsey Rodríguez David Sanabria Alexandra Santiago Yajahira Vidal

...the Saint John's School Team and, most importantly, all the special parents who are the wind beneath our wings.

Marilynne and Ana

GREASED