Grease

From Mchs Theater

Grease

Despite the superficial similarities with Bye Bye Birdie (teenagery early rock and roll), Grease was selected for the second MCHS musical. It represented a whole new set of challenges for the cast and crew. Complex dance routines, tough solo and ensemble songs, and real character development called for long hours of rehearsal. Unlike the brightly painted scaffolding Tinkertoys of the previous year, the Grease set was built from the stage floor up, with moving stairs and "Greased Lightin'", highly evolved from its humble beginnings as a golf cart.

Grease played to full houses, and the cast delivered the energy that makes this show work.

Director's Notes

In spite of the fact that and water, or snow in this case, do not mix, we have have overcome four snowstorms to present our second Broadway musical to the Middle Creek community. we will never forget the winter of 'O4. Actually, it has taken nearly eighteen-months to put Grease on this stage. Last fall, in the beginning of MCHS's first year of operation, we chose Grease as our first large-scale musical production, One hundred students, over 14% of our student body, audition for the show. One day before announcing the cast, we were informed that due to a professional production of Grease in the area, we would not receive the license to produce the show. Bye Bye Birdie became our inaugural production. It was a fantastic production. Many students and parents discovered the thrill of the theatre for the first time or rekindled the old flame. Patrons, friends, and family could not believe that most of the students on stage were freshman. Many folks told the directors "Wait until these kids are older, they'll be unbelievable." Well, they are a little bit older and they ARE "unbelievable."

What terrific talent we have at "the Creek." We have pushed this cast and production staff hard to get ready for Grease. We anticipated maybe one weather-related interruption, or two at most. Rut in spite of the weather, these cast members and crewmembers, costumers, and set builders have been relentless in their resolve to produce a high caliber production.

In addition to recognizing and complimenting the on-stage talent and effort, we the directors, would like to express our appreciation to the behind-the-scenes students, teachers, parents, wives, and husbands who have made this production possible. We speak of the dozen costumers, the set-builders and painters, the prop gatherers, the technical team, the MCHS Graphics Department, musicians, the ticket sellers, the poster and billboard designer, photographers, snack donators, and the teachers and administration. All of these people have supported and created this production. The directors would like to dedicate our second production to the real strength of Grease, to the behind-the-scenes production staff. A great big THANKYOU is in order. We hope you enjoy the show.

Cast

• Miss Lynch: Keisha Barnhart
• Patty Simcox: Karen Kleber
• Eugene Florczyk: Christoph Zimdahl
• Jan: Emily Smith
• Marty: Elizabeth Grey
• Betty Rizzo: Jenelle Howard
• Doody: Sean Martell
• Roger: James Creek
• Kenickie: Josh Lane
• Sonny LaTierri: Matthew Newton
• Frenchy: Rachel Saad
• Sandy Dumbrowski: Janna Crawford
• Danny Zuko: Keaton Lusk
• Vince Fontaine: Matt Beyersdorf
• Johnny Cassino: John Sierra
• Cha-cha DiGregorio: Cyndi Stumpf
• Teen Angel: Mike Evans
• Ensemble: Caitlin Adams, Matthew Beyersdorf, Jennifer Biggers, Dallas Bohannon, Shannon Booker, Robert Cellucci, Amy Durham, Mike Evans, Kim Hauser, Cody Janik, Jessika Johnson, Karen Kleber, Meredith Knight, Matthew Locklear, Rett Lucas, Justin Neal, Amanda Picket, Jessica Ricci, Stephanie Rick, MegAnn Roush, John Sierra, Cyndi Stumpf, Katie Vohwinkel, Keshia Young

Production Staff

• Conductor: Tammy Holder
• Costume Masters: Teresa Crawford,Valerie Biggers
• Costumes: Annette Beyersdorf,Valerie Biggers, Kathy Bohannon, Teresa Crawford, Judy Durham, Barbara Grey, Lorrinda Janik, Eileen Martell, Sharon Neal, Nikki Rick, Jean Saad, Sally Smith, Jan Sullivan, Kelly Wyatt
• Choreographer: Amy Dressel
• House Manager: Johnny Gatlin
• Light Board Operator: Erik Minton
• Lighting Design: Erik Minton and Matt Scialdone
• Musical Director: Tammy Holder
• Pit Combo
  • Bass - Alan Booker
  • Keyboards -Tammy Holder
  • Guitar - John Sierra
  • Percussion- John Ruggero
• Photography: Roy Kleber, Alan Booker, Audrey Beckett
• Poster Design: Robbie Wray and the MCHS Graphics Department
• Program: Smith & Associates and Cherokee Publishing, Amanda Black, Robbie Wray & the Middle Creek High Graphics Department
• Property Masters: Judy Durham, Linda Hauser, Carey Hynds, Susan Picket, Xaviera Williams
• Publicity: Rich Hauser, Diedre Lenderking, Dave Lenderking, Debra Wiggins, Robbie Wray
• Stage Manager: Karen Moriarty
• Set Design & Construction: Jeff Barnhart, Alan Booker, Jerry Edelman, Jonathan Edelman, Rodney Knight, Dave Lenderking, Les Martell, Patrick Martell, Joseph Ricci, Steve Rick, Matt Scialdone
• Set Painting & Artistic Design: Debra Wiggins, Andy Carlson, Lauren Bauer, Wilbert Guilford, Gina Comos, Robin Serne, Joey Middleberg, Cory Peaugh, Laura Stumpf, Mary Beth Holder, Mary Gloer
• Technical Director: Matt Scialdone
• Technical Crew: Andy Carlson, Andrew Dixon, Erika Durham, Tony Halstead, Carey Hynds, Erik Minton, Molly Miser, Leigha Quinlin, Lauren Redpath, Arika Swigert, Xaviera Williams
• Ticket Design: Jonathan Edelman & Robbie Wray
• Ticket Sales: Teresa Brantley, Libbie Farias