Grease Program

Director’s Note Who doesn’t love a story about a shy girl who falls for a so-called bad boy?

Sandy Dumbrowski and Danny Zuko’s 1950s, secret, summer romance quickly turns upside down as they find themselves at the same school. Tonight, we are transported back to Rydell High with some of our favorite characters as they navigate peer pressure, identity, and love.

Did you know that the Kingston Mines Theater Company in Chicago debuted Grease in 1971? Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey wrote the book, music, and lyrics based on their own experiences as teens in the 1950s. The show moved to New York in 1972, and it opened Off-Broadway where it was nominated for seven Tony Awards.

It then traveled Uptown to Broadway. In 1978, the movie was released, and it was the biggest box office hit of the year. Because the show’s fans won’t let it fade into the pages of theater history, the first Broadway revival of Grease opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in 1994. Then in 2007, another revival debuted at the Brooks Atkinson Theater with leads that were chosen by the audience of a reality show. Not to be lost from our view for long, in 2016, Grease was produced as a live performance for television. The reincarnations of this show are no surprise, Grease has endeared itself to its fans spanning multiple generations because of its relatable storyline and popular music.

It has been a joy watching the cast embrace this show, its music, and more importantly, the characters. Teenagers, for the most part, have not really changed: they would rather be anywhere than in school; their language sometimes puzzles the adults around them; their music choices may be questionable; and they keenly feel the raw emotion of heartbreak, and the desire to be accepted by others. You will, no doubt, recognize that the musical version is not the same as the movie. However, it still contains many of the same popular songs and characters, and what lies at the heart of the story is the same.

Producing this show has been like opening a time capsule from the 1950s. Although, on many levels, our cast found these characters relatable, we did have multiple, mini, history lessons about language, cars, dance, music, clothing, and, of course, hair.

We hope that you enjoy the nostalgia of this beloved show as much as we have enjoyed bringing it to life.

Director and Choreographer Ms. Krista Coker

Grease Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey 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 co-author 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 B-movies of the 1950s. Mr. Casey died in 1988.

“You’re The One That I Want,”“Sandy,”“Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “Grease” by arrangement with Robert Stigwood.”

“Grease” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. www.concordtheatricals.com

Song List Act One Alma Mater – Miss Lynch, Patty, Eugene and Company Alma Mater (Parody) – Pink Ladies, Burger Palace Boys Summer Nights – Sandy, Danny, Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys Those Magic Changes – Doody, Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys Freddy, My Love – Marty and Pink Ladies Greased Lightnin’ – Kenickie and Burger Palace Boys Rydell Fight Song – Sandy and Patty Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee – Rizzo We Go Together – Company

Act Two It's Raining on Prom Night – Sandy and Radio Singer Born to Hand Jive – Johnny Casino and Company Beauty School Dropout – Teen Angel, Frenchy, and Angels Sandy by arrangement with Robert Stigwood – Danny Rock 'N' Roll Party Queen – Doody, Sonny and Roger Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee (Reprise) – Sandy Hopelessly Devoted to You by arrangement with Robert Stigwood - Sandy You’re the One That I Want arrangement with Robert Stigwood - Danny, Sandy and Company We Go Together – Company

Cast Danny Zuko.......................................................James Spencer Sandy Dumbrowski...........................................Katja Roberts Betty Rizzo.........................................................Nia Tomalin Frenchy..............................................................Haley Fletty Marty/Dance Captain.......................................Avery Bond Jan/Pink Lady/Sheila’s Voice...........................Alex Barnett Kenickie..............................................................Ty Wurtz Doody..................................................................Spencer Williams Roger....................................................................Oliver Schad Sonny LaTierri...................................................Aidan Beck Patty Simcox/Singer’s Voice on Radio..............Abby Hill Cha-Cha DiGregorio..........................................Alexa Schecht Eugene/Burger Palace Boy.................................John Adams Vince Fontaine/Burger Palace Boy/Hero’s Voice ...............................................................................Jamie Manning Teen Angel/Johnny Casino/Burger Palace Boy ...............................................................................Jameson Jensen Miss Lynch/Pink Lady/Scientist’s Voice............Lilly Jewett

Production Team Student Team Stage Manager........................................ Eloise Schad Crew Chief.............................................. Luke Liberato Student Designer..................................... Lilly Berget Lighting Operator................................... Lilly Berget Mics/ Sound Operator............................ Marisa Iannelli Build Chief.............................................. Connor Coakley

Run Crew Camden Cash, Sophie Donovan, Kate Hoornstra, Lilly Kennedy Luke Liberato, Isabella Lo, Emma Moya, Taylor Smith William Roberts, Evie Van Scoik

Build Team Bryson Ball, Maya Bickford, Connor Coakley, Max Dobbs, Sam Lee Alejandro Lugo, William Roberts, Dominic Smith, Austin Stuck Spencer Williams, Drew Young

Director/ Choreographer....................... Krista Coker Technical Director.................................. Ian Beck Music Director/ Assistant Director....... Natalie Rios Costume Design & Construction........................................... Gi Young Sung Hair and Makeup................................... Meredith Brandimore

Professional Bios Krista Coker (Director and Choreographer) has been at Canterbury for 16 years. She is the Director of Arts Education, teaches Upper School English, and Middle School and Upper School Dance, and has been the Director of Theater for the last three years. In her time as a member of the Arts Department, she started Canterbury’s dance program, has choreographed staging and movement for the school’s musicals and plays, and has directed alongside some of Canterbury’s best. This year especially, she is proud of all that her colleagues and students have accomplished under extraordinary circumstances. While many theaters around the world have been dark for over a year, Ms. Coker recognizes how special it is to be able to provide a safe environment in which students can still participate in live theater. She would like to thank everyone for a wonderful theater season.

Natalie Rios (Musical Director/Assistant Director) is thrilled to make her Canterbury Debut with GREASE. She is excited to grow alongside the music and theatre arts programs and hopes to create many fantastic memories here, starting with GREASE. She is especially proud of the hardworking cast. Rios would like to thank her family for their infinite support as well as the artistic team and cast who have welcomed her with open hearts – I think “we go together like a wop and a lou mop…”

XOXO Gi Young Sung (Costume Designer) graduated from the University of South Florida with her B.A. in Theatre Arts 2006.

She has been fortunate in her theatrical career working professionally as an actor and technician since 2005. She began costume designing in 2008 and began working with Canterbury in 2020 for Charlotte’s Web. She would like to thank the cast and crew for providing such a fun opportunity and looks forward to more play time!

Professional Bios Meredith Brandimore (Director of Hair and Makeup) is beyond excited to finally be a part of the amazing theatre department. She has previously done hair and makeup for other school productions, but this is her first time directing. She is not only impressed with the talent of the cast and crew, but also their attitude, dedication and kindness. She wants to thank the incredibly hard working cast and crew. Thank you for letting me tag along, I’m very proud of all of you!

Ian Beck (Technical Director) is glad to be back at Canterbury for another show. Ian enjoys his time here and all the fun that is to be had with these folks, but he feels you all are crazy and should be watched carefully. Ian would like to thank all the people who have helped him get to this point, unfortunately, he is not too sure if you are real or not. It has been an interesting adventure for Ian as he braved all the Slurpee brain freezes and endless Kool-Aid made here in the Dollinger theater during the build process. Ian would like to send out a shout out to the unsung heroes of the whole build process, the various wood screws used to make this set happen!! Without you, none of this would have been possible! Oh, and to the cast and crew, you all are awesome! Ian will now leave you with a quote from his favorite mime, “ !”. Enjoy the show!

SeniorCast Bios Abigail Hill (Patty/ Radio Voice) is a Senior at Canterbury. She has been in Canterbury since her freshman year. She participated in the cast of Anything Goes, Clue! and Tracks, a competition One Act. Abby was the makeup artist for The Wizard of Oz. She has also been involved in Thespian Troupe 4637. She is proud to be working with such an amazing cast, and hopes that everyone involved breaks a leg! Abby is looking forward to her future adventures after she graduates.

Katja Roberts (Sandy Dumbroswki) is a senior at Canterbury. She has been Thespian Troupe 4637 president the past two years and has been involved in many shows including The Theory of Relativity, Rumors, Anything Goes, Too Much Light Makes The Baby Go Blind, Clue, Suessical and Tracks. Including tech for Circus Olympus, and The Wizard of Oz. Katja will be majoring in Musical Theatre in the fall at Ohio Northern. Also a big thank you to Ms. Coker and Mr. Beck for being my first teachers into what I love the most. And big thanks to my new BESTIE, Ms. Rios.

Alexa Schecht (Cha Cha) is a senior at Canterbury. She has been dancing competitively for 13 years, show casing her talent on several occasions on the Canterbury stage. Alexa has been a Thespian at Canterbury for the last two years, competing at our Disctrict Competitions.

She helped with last year's production of Seussical the Musical as the student choreographer. This year she is excited to perform in her first on-stage production at the school. Alexa will be attending Pace University in New York City next fall as a Commercial Dance major.

She would like to thank Ms. Coker for always being her biggest supporter.

Cast Bios John Adams (Eugene) is a sophomore at Canterbury. Working as run crew in Clue! and as an understudy in Tracks, he is new to the Thespian life, but hopes to make the most out of it. He is thankful for the friends and family, who have supported him through everything.

Alex Barnett (Jan/Girls voice) is a junior at Canterbury. She came to Canterbury from Ohio as a sophomore. Alex has participated as a cast member in Clue and tracks. She plans to partake in shows to come, and graduate at Canterbury. Although this year has been a struggle, we are thankful that we can do what we enjoy, theatre. She would like to thank everyone for their patience and kindness throughout the forming of this beautiful show.

Aidan Beck (Sonny) is a sophomore at Canterbury, who has been a part of the school and he has been acting since sixth grade. He participated in Schoolhouse Rock and Circus Olympus, and Clue! As a member of Thespian Troupe 4637, he competed in the District One Act with the play Tracks, taking a home Superior! Aidan has also participated in stage crew for The Wizard of Oz and Anything Goes. He is glad to be a part of another school production and is thankful for this opportunity to act and build friendships along the way.

Avery Bond (Marty) is a sophomore at Canterbury. She has been at Canterbury since 6th grade. She was involved with Jr. Thespians throughout middle school, and more than happy to return this year. This is her first high school production and is very thankful to be given the opportunity to play Marty. She wants to thank her parents and directors for all of the support and dedication, most of all her sister Lauren for inspiring her to pursue singing.

Cast Bios Haley Fletty (Frenchy) is a junior at Canterbury. She has been a student at Canterbury since eighth grade and an active Thespian since her freshman year. She has participated in the productions of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, Clue, Seussical, and Tracks. Haley is beyond excited to be a part of Grease this spring! She would like to thank her family for always supporting her and Ms. Coker for giving her the opportunity to be on the Canterbury stage. She plans on remaining active in theatre throughout the remainder of her high school career.

Jameson Jensen ( Johnny Casino, Teen \Angel, Burger Palace Boy) is a freshman at Canterbury. He has quite the stage career here on the Dollinger stage. From King Midas in Circus Olympus to Horton in Seussical the Musical, Jameson has always made his presence known. He has now found his way into our hearts once again as Johnny Casino and the one and only, Teen Angel. When he is not on the stage, he is running the fields or designing award winning sets for Thespian competition. Jameson plans on taking over the world with his style and antics, so you best keep an eye out for him!

Lilly Jewett (Mrs. Lynch, Pink Lady, and Scientists voice) is a freshman at Canterbury. She came to Canterbury in 6th grade and started acting in 6th grade when she joined Jr. Thespians. She has participated in many shows like Anything Goes, Wizard of Oz, Hamlette, Seussical, and now Grease. Lilly is thankful for the opportunity to act in her first Upper School production, and she is thankful for her friends and family who have supported her.

Cast Bios Jamie Manning (Vince Fontaine, Burger Palace Boy, and Hero's Voice) is a freshman at Canterbury. He has been into theatre since a very young age. Jamie loves improv, acting, and singing. You might recognize him as he was an actor in Anything Goes, Circus Olympus, Hamlette, Seussical, and Tracks. He was also part of the crew for Wizard of Oz. He has spent most of his years at Canterbury as a Jr. Thespian but he is very excited to be a High School Thespian and enter a new chapter in his life. Jamie is very excited to work with the incredibly talented cast, crew, and directors. Jamie thinks that it is kind of creepy that he is referring to himself in the 3rd person.

Eloise Schad (Stage Manager and Student Director) is a junior at Canterbury. She has been participating in theater behind the scenes since eighth grade, starting with Still Into You as Stage Manager. Eloise has gone back and forth between Assistant Stage Manager and Stage Manager throughout her years, and loves doing it. This year she was promoted to Student Director of the high school one act, Tracks, and the high school musical, Grease, while still taking on the role as Stage Manager as well.

She would like to thank her parents and family for the support they give in everything she does.

Oliver Schad (Roger) is a sophomore at Canterbury. He has been at Canterbury since 6th grade and started acting in 7th grade when he joined his friends in a pantomime for Junior Thespians. Oliver has been helping Canterbury productions on and off stage since then, he’s been a crew member for multiple shows and has acted .in shows such as Clue! and Circus Olympus. Oliver has made many new friendships and strengthened already existing ones and is thankful for the opportunity that is provided to him by his family and teachers.

Cast Bios James Spencer (Danny Zuko) is currently a junior at Canterbury.

He has been at Canterbury since the fifth grade and has been participating in theater since the eighth grade. He has been a member of the cast of Anything Goes, Wizard of Oz, Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind, Tracks, and now, Grease. James plans on finishing his high school career at Canterbury, and wishes to continue doing theater.

He’s beyond happy to be a part of such a wonderful cast.

Nia Tomalin (Rizzo) is a Junior at Canterbury. She has been participating in theatre for nine years. In her high school career, Nia has participated in all mainstage and one-act productions offered at the school. Shows include: Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (Ensemble), Clue! (Miss Scarlet), Seussical (Sour Kangaroo), and Tracks (Businesswoman). She is now very excited to add Grease (Rizzo) to this list! Nia loves and enjoys the stage and plans to remain active in the theatre program throughout high school. She would like to thank the cast and crew for a wonderful experience on stage.

Cast Bios Spencer Williams (Doody) is a Sophomore at Canterbury. He is actively involved with Thespians and has been in numerous plays and musicals since the fifth grade. These productions include Circus Olympus, School House Rock and Clue!. He is excited to participate in his third Upper School production and he is very thankful for the opportunity to act and make friends with the amazing cast and crew.

Ty Wurtz (Kenickie) is a junior at Canterbury. He has been going to Canterbury since he was in the sixth grade and has been involved in theatre ever since. He was involved in the Canterbury productions It’s Not You It’s Me (Ensemble), Peter Pan (John Darling), Schoolhouse Rock Live (Ensemble), Anything Goes (Purser), Still Into You (Jimmy), and The Wizard of Oz (Lion/Zeke) and Clue! (Colonel Mustard). He was also involved in Jr. Thespians and is now a member of Thespians.

He would like to thank his family for supporting him with his acting and always giving him a second chance. He would also like to thank Ms. Coker, Mr. Beck, and Ms. Rios for teaching him everything he knows about acting and singing.

CANTERBURY THESPIANS

Stay healthy but...

BREAK A LEG!!!

Russ and Mary Ball