Cast of 'Grease' revs up for production next week

BY DANIELLE MEDINA
Correspondent

DANIELLE MEDINA Allison Fortier, aka Sandy, rehearses for Brick Township High School's upcoming production of "Grease." She is flanked by (l-r) Stephanie Zuccaro, Ashley McCaffery, Melanie Jacob and Amanda Thompson. BRICK TOWNSHIP - Stephanie Zuccaro is having fun playing a part that's a lot like her. Mark Salerno likes his role because it's the complete opposite of his own personality. And Ryan McCarthy is happy not to be playing a drunk again.

The three Brick Township High School students are playing Frenchie, Danny and Kenickie, respectively, in "Grease," the drama club's latest production that opens on March 29.

"It's just really fun because everyone knows "Grease," said Salerno, 16. "The audience is going to get into it and dance in their seats and that's just going to get me more pumped for the show."

"Grease," which opened on Broadway in 1972, is set in 1959 at Rydell High School and tells the story of teenage love, friendship and rebellion.

"I feel like this role was made for me," said Zuccaro, 18. "I think we all can relate to the characters and since everyone is already friends it's not hard to act like friends."

For McCarthy, playing the role of Kenickie is definitely a step up from the drunks he has played in past productions at BTHS.

"I joked that I was being stereotyped," said McCarthy, 17. "Kenickie is just a great role. The way the lines are written just comes really naturally for me."

Although the movie, which was released in 1978, focuses on the characters of Danny and Sandy, the stage show is an ensemble production.

"There are 10 main characters that have songs and scenes," said director and drama club adviser Anthony Asaro.

"Pink Ladies" are being played by Allison Fortier (Sandy), Amanda Thompson (Rizzo), Melanie Jacob (Marty) and Ashley McCaffery (Jan). The "Burger Palace Boys" are Sammy Centrella (Doodie), Brian Maguire (Roger) and Colin Crilley (Sonny), along with Salerno and McCarthy.

Altogether, there are 33 cast members in this production of "Grease."

Casting for the show was held in December and rehearsals began soon after that. But with only little practice time left before opening night, some of the cast members were busy figuring out how to end their songs and the band was working on its tempo.

"It's organized chaos," said Asaro, who also constructed the sets with the help of the students.

Choreographer Jess Thompson and musical director Paul Bibelheimer are also working with the students on the production.

"Grease" was definitely more challenging to choreograph because the kids this year aren't really dancers," Thompson said. "Last year, we did Cabaret and we cast for dancers. This year, we had to partner the guys with girls who could dance."

The band that will play the show's music is made up of student musicians. The only exception is an adult saxophone player. In past productions, professional musicians were brought in to play the score, Bibelheimer said.

"Vocally it's just an amazing show," said Bibelheimer. "It's the best show we've ever done."

"I think people will be surprised at the level of talent that comes off that stage," Asaro said.

"Grease" will be performed in the BTHS auditorium, Chambers Bridge Road, at 7:30 p.m. on March 29, 30 and 31. Presale ticket prices are $7 or $9 at the door (if available). Advance tickets are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the BTHS main office.