The Drama Department at Seton Catholic Preparatory in Chandler is gearing up to perform the School Edition — a family-friendly version — of “Grease,” the story of 1950s youth exuberance.
Danny, Sandy, Rizzo, the Pink Ladies and T-Birds of the famed, fictitious Rydell High take the stage Feb. 5-7 and Feb. 12-13. More than 60 Seton students—including cast, crew and dancers—will bring the beloved musical to the Valley days after FOX’s “Greaase Live!” airs.
The School Edition, considered to be G-rated, is for the whole family. It eliminates references to cigarettes, alcohol, bad language and lyrics, as well as some plots lines such as Rizzo’s pregnancy. It keeps well-known song and dance numbers such as “Summer Nights,” “We Go Together” and “Born to Hand-Jive.”
Seton seniors Jason Morse of Mesa and Sarah Kunz of Gilbert are cast as Danny and Sandy with seniors Jade Panlener of Chandler and Weston Boardman of Gilbert as Rizzo and Kenickie.
Grease: School Edition
When: 7 p.m. Feb. 5-6 and Feb. 12-13
3 p.m. Feb. 13
Where: Fine Arts Theatre at Seton College Preparatory in Chandler
Ticket sales begin Jan. 25
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Produced by Paramount Pictures in 1978, Grease is a romantic musical film directed by Randal Kleiser and based on a 1971 musical of the same name about two love-struck teens in a 1950s high school. The film stars John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John; the original motion picture soundtrack topped the charts with No. 1 singles “You’re the One That I Want” and “Grease.”
In a twist of serendipitous nostalgia, FOX will air Grease Live at 7 p.m. Jan. 3, the same day that dress rehearsals begin for the school edition at Seton. Billed as “America’s Favorite Musical” with “Today’s Hottest Stars,” the FOX rendition stars Aaron Tveit and Julianne Hough as Danny and Sandy with Vanessa Hudgens as Rizzo.
“It’s always wonderful to see a revival of Grease,” said Drama Director Bridget O’Neill, Seton English Department Chair. “There is high energy and excitement around this production at Seton, and the airing of Grease Live during our dress rehearsal week adds to the staying power of this timeless, fun-loving musical.”
