Ferndale Musical Theatre Boosters Presents Grease!
(Ferndale Schools Press Release, Ferndale 115 News March 15, 2012 ed)
The Ferndale High School Musical Boosters presents its annual musical, Grease, this month. The show opens Saturday, March 17 at 7:30 pm at the Ferndale High School Auditorium, 881 Pinecrest, Ferndale MI. All ages are welcome.
Just over 40 years ago, Grease opened on Broadway. At that time, 1950’s nostalgia was not the “vogue.” In fact, American Graffiti, the movie that would bring about the surge in 50’s nostalgia would not be released for another year. In February 1972, Grease was a completely different kind of Broadway musical; combining early rock and roll music and dancing with true (for that era) high school student language and characters.
The themes of teenage love, friendship, rebellion, and pastimes make up the plot for Grease. The characters go through their senior school year at Rydell High trying to fit in, have fun and support each other through good times and not-so-good times. Ultimately, the kids learn that they need each other – because one thing that does last is friendship.
In 1978, Grease, was made into a very popular movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The movie made several changes from the play, notably renaming the Burger Palace Boys as the T-birds and putting several of the original songs in as background music. The movie also added songs and one of them is featured in Ferndale’s production: “You’re the One That I Want.” The play does not feature a drag race as in it does in the movie, but Greased Lightning is one of the stars in every production of Grease.
This is the first-ever performance of Grease by Ferndale High School. When the musical was announced back in September, it was met with a great deal of excitement and anticipation. Now over 100 students, adults and community members have worked for months and are thrilled to bring Grease to the FHS stage. A change from previous productions at FHS is the lack of an orchestra pit. Instead, Grease musicians are a rock band and are on stage with the actors, giving even more meaning to the song “We Go Together.”
Grease features: Joanna Gaden (sophomore) as Sandy, Tyler Hoch (senior) as Danny, Sierra Onickel (senior) as Rizzo, Dominic Sweeney (senior) as Kenickie, Natalie Berger (senior) as Jan, Sarah McElroy (senior) as Marty, Andy Lawrence (senior) as Roger, Patrick Ceglarek (senior) as Sonny, Kway Smith (junior) as Frenchy, Chris Schurg (junior) as Doody and a 1951 Ford 2-door Coupe as Greased Lightnin’.
Performances: March 17, 18, 23, 24, 25
Friday & Saturday performances are at 7:30 pm, Sunday matinees at 3 pm.
Tickets: $ 7/adult, $ 5/students & senior citizens, $3/children under 12
Grease Special Events:
Every Show: Hand Jive Raffle. Enter a raffle to join the cast onstage for the Hand Jive dance. Tickets for a $1.
Saturday, March 17: Opening Night Afterglow. Enjoy food and beverages after the show from the FHS Burger Palace.
Sunday, March 18: Pre-show Senior Citizens Reception. Members of the FHS National Honor Society will host a reception for seniors attending the show.The Reception begins at 2 pm, and the performance starts at 3 pm. Tickets to the show for seniors are $5.00 and can be purchased at FHS during the reception.
Friday, March 23: Thank you, FHS Principal Herb Ivory! This performance is dedicated to FHS Principal Herb Ivory, his last show as FHS principal.
Saturday, March 24: Costume Contest. Attend the show in a favorite 1959 era costume. Costume parade a intermission.
Sunday, March 25: Class of 2012 Recognition. Immediately following the performance, acknowledgement and thanks for seniors from the cast and crew.
For more information on Ferndale Schools, please go to http://www.ferndaleschools.org.
Read about last year’s musical Oklahoma:
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/03/30/the-oklahoma-experience/
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2011/03/06/ferndale-musical-theatre-boosters-presents-oklahoma/
Check out some earlier promotional work the students did when they decorated the DDA windows:
https://oaklandcounty115.com/2012/03/01/students-get-ready-for-grease-by-decorating-dda-windows/
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