By The Keystone Newspaper By Jalal Muhammad
Join ACT as they host their main stage show “Grease” at Schaeffer Auditorium on Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Directed by ACT’s treasurer, Adam Steppke, the production stars freshman Michael Seidick as Danny Zuko and senior Lucy Criscuolo as Sandy Dumbrowski.
Photo Credit: Actors Creating Theater
Grease is a 50s rock musical that takes place in 1959 at Rydell High, a fictional high school, where new girl, Sandy Dumbrowski (Criscuolo) and greaser, Danny Zuko (Seidick), two teenagers from very different backgrounds and social circles experience a summer romance. Danny being part of the Burger Palace Boys, a group of greaser boys who embody the cool, tough-guy persona, while Sandy is more reserved and sweet, associating with the Pink Ladies.
“The cast and crew have been working so hard for the last four months to bring this amazing production to life,” Steppke said. “Grease is a show that people of all ages can connect with and enjoy and hopefully go home singing the songs that our talented cast brings to life with such energy.”
The cast includes the Burger Palace Boys with Mason Snyder as Kenickie, Joseph Martin as Doody, Brandon Chantrill as Roger, and Tommy Scuderi as Sonny, and the Pink Ladies with Kora Garcia as Rizzo, Grace Spellacy as Frenchy, Rachel Day as Jan and Karina Hernandez as Marty.
“Audiences should expect to feel like they’re back in the 1950s with all the costumes, sets, songs, references and much more. I want this to be an opportunity for people to relax, enjoy themselves and get to see just how talented the students of KU really are,” Steppke said. “While Grease is set in 1959, a lot of the messaging in the show is applicable and transforms itself to fit into our 2025 society. I hope audience members are able to take what they see in the show and think about how some of these culture shifts may be happening in our own world right now.”
The soundtrack of Grease the Musical captures the vibrant energy and spirit of the 1950s, blending rock ‘n’ roll, pop, and doo-wop influences to tell the story of love, rebellion, and youth. The musical blends the excitement of teenage love and rebellion with nostalgic, feel-good tunes that bring together the spirit of the ’50s, making it a timeless musical experience, with hit songs like “You’re the One That I Want,” “Summer Nights” and “Greased Lightnin’.” For more information, ACT can be found on Facebook and @act_ku on Instagram. Tickets are on sale now.