By DONNA ALLEN
CHESTER – Green Mountain Union High School Drama Club will presentGreaseat 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 29 and Friday, March 30 and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on March 31.
“I have been in the drama club since seventh grade. I knew I had to play Danny if we ever didGrease,” stated Ben Haseltine (Danny), “Drama Club started out as fun, but through the years has turned into my passion. My dream is happening. I am a senior and have applied and auditioned at five colleges. NYU is my top choice. I have heard back from two colleges and am waiting for the other three. If I don’t get in, I will attend Castleton University and then re-audition for my sophomore year.”
Olivia Wright (Sandy), a freshman, has got a few more years before she has to make a decision. “I loveGrease. I’ve always loved Grease from the time I was little,” commented Wright, “ I have been involved with drama club since seventh grade and will continue until graduation. We’ll see how it goes, but I don’t know yet {if I want to go into theater or acting}.
Grease, co-directed by Christine Saul and Cynthia Austin, is the 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey and is set at the fictional Rydell High School and follows ten teenagers as they face and work through complexities of peer pressure, core values and love.
Ashley Hensel-Browning has worked with the Green Mountain students for many years and knows their skills. She has not made the choreography easy and the audience will see many 1950’s moves.
“These kids have never doneGreaseand some have never heard of it before,” said Austin, “Most of the cast are young, freshman, and we call them the baby cast. We are having a great time with it. Now it is time to really did in and get the ‘spark’.” Continuing, Austin commented that, “It is hard to find a show with a large cast and we don’t want to cut kids who want to be involved.”
The 32-member cast consists of Ben Haseltine (Danny), Olivia Wright (Sandy), Alex Beshay (Kenickie), Anika R-L (Rizzo), Royce Schultz (Doody). Rosie Saccardo (Marty), Erik Heitsmith (Roger), Anna Church (Jan), Clara Martorano (Sonny), and Rileigh Thomas (Frenchy).
Also Bri Luman (Teen Angel/Johnny Casino), Thatcher LaPrise (Vince Fontaine), Angelae Wunderle (Cha Cha), Pearl Myers (Patty), Philip Malazarte (Eugene) and Raevyn Stocker (Miss Lynch).
The ensemble/chorus includes Camille Rivet, Marissa Sparkman, Mia Valente, Luna Burkland, Narelle Saylor, Emery Benoit, Diedre Moore, Clair Tyrell, Ioleandra Barbaro, Zoe Myer, Lily Jones, Caroline D-A, Bonnie Crowley, Ozzie Jewett, Sarah Devereux, and Bela Tumur-Ochir.
Ticket prices are $5 for students and seniors and $7 for adults.
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