Before it was a Broadway hit and film sensation, Grease was a gritty Chicago-set play with music that reflected the lives, language and tensions of Windy City teens in the 1950s.
This production of the first version of the modern American classic by Jim Jacobs and the late Warren Casey marks the first time this text has been seen since the early 1970s. There is also a new "frame" to the show that features older actors playing the senior selves the greasers, attending a high school reunion.
Here is a look at the show:
The production, directed by ATC artistic director PJ Paparelli and choreographed by Jim Corti, is billed as "the restored, revised, R-rated" original Grease. It features Adrian Aguilar as Danny Zuko and Kelly Davis Wilson as Sandy Dumbroski in a cast of 26.
p> The company also includes Tony Clarno (Kenickie), Jessica Diaz (Rizzo), Bubba Weiler (Doody), Robert Colletti (Roger), Patrick De Nicola (Sonny), Tyler Ravelson (Miller), Jessie Fisher (Frenchy), Carol Rose (Marty), Sadieh Rifai (Jan), Hannah Gomez (Cha-Cha Degregorio), Adam Shalzi (Eugene Florczyk), Michael Accardo (Vince Fontaine, Officer Maiale, Coach Grabowski), Bryan Connor (Johnny Casino, Teen Angel), Peggy Roeder (Miss Mildred Lynch), Alaina Mills (Patty Simcox) and Tom Lally (The Old Bum, Jan's father).
Here's how ATC bills the restored show: "Chicago. 1959. Before two movies and three Broadway productions, summer lovin' happened on Lake Michigan and the Pink Ladies were a group of working class outsiders living on Chicago's Northwest Side. Including never-before-heard music, lyrics and scenes, author Jim Jacobs teams up with artistic director PJ Paparelli and choreographer Jim Corti to bring to life for the first time since 1971 the original R-Rated version of the world's most famous movie musical."
Performances play ATC's home at 1909 W. Byron, Chicago, IL.
Grease has book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Musical direction is by Roberta Duchak. Orchestration is by Malcolm Ruhl.
For more information, visit www.atcweb.org.
