Grease is the word at JP this October

From Issue 3

By Evans Reynolds, Staff Writer|October 27, 2021

For four shows October 16-19, the Jackson Prep Performing Arts Department staged their annual fall musical. This year under the direction of Ms. Emily Waterloo and music directed by Mr. Chris Sweatt, students put on the production of Grease. Grease, which was originally released July 19, 1977, has been performed twice throughout our school’s history. 

Grease serves as a love letter to the 1950s, friendship, and high school. The leads, Sandy and Danny, share a summer romance, but when their school lives clash, they must figure out if their romance is worth crossing their cliques.  The principal cast consists of Sandy and Danny’s peers, the T-Birds and Pink Ladies, who stir up trouble for their relationship. 

Grease: A History

by Sailor Hart Simpson
Grease is a musical production that’s been around for quite a while. The original musical was first performed in 1971 and a version has been produced at Jackson Prep a few times prior to this year’s show, most recently in 2011.
The first ever Grease production was performed in 1971 in Chicago. Grease is set in 1959, and is about many teenagers who are finding their way through Rydell High School in the midcentury America. Grease got its name from the “greasers” on whom the story focused. 
The musical and the famous movie version have won many awards in the past including the People’s Choice Award For Favorite Movie in 1979. It also won the People’s Choice Award for Favorite Musical Motion Picture in 1979. The popularity of the show, in either form, has grown over the years. Grease is a classic to many people all around the world and appeals to people of all ages.
The 1978 movie version of Grease had a cast that included John Travolta, who starred as Danyy Zuko and Oliva Newton-John, who played as Sandy Ollson. The pair starred as the main characters of the movie who affected the audience in many entertaining ways.

For four shows October 16-19, the Jackson Prep Performing Arts Department staged their annual fall musical. This year under the direction of Ms. Emily Waterloo and music directed by Mr. Chris Sweatt, students put on the production of Grease. Grease, which was originally released July 19, 1977, has been performed twice throughout our school’s history. 

Grease serves as a love letter to the 1950s, friendship, and high school. The leads, Sandy and Danny, share a summer romance, but when their school lives clash, they must figure out if their romance is worth crossing their cliques.  The principal cast consists of Sandy and Danny’s peers, the T-Birds and Pink Ladies, who stir up trouble for their relationship. 

Students first auditioned for numerous parts and performance numbers to really make this show come alive on stage. After the cast was set, all members put in countless and long hours of hard work. Practices for the school musical lasted from after school until night and also took place on school holidays and weekends. The cast’s dedication to the show really shone in their devotion and hard work.

The cast of this year’s show was composed of all ages of Prep students, contributing to the show in more ways than one. Cast members sang, danced, performed, and recited, and all in all really embodied the expectations of the show. Students also served on set crew moving sets, working the lighting, and making sure the show ran as smoothly as possible. Some notable performances from the main cast include Foster O’Quinn as Danny Zuko, Anna Voynik as Sandy Dumbrowski, Will Meck as Kenickie Murdoch, Ellyn Waits as Rizzo, Paul Greg as Teen Angel in Beauty School Dropout, Rachel Rutledge as Patty Simcox, Macy Polk as Jan, and many, many others. 

The 50s production, Grease, is a classic and furthermore a household name to many families. The excitement that was drawn from the art department announcing their musical was no surprise considering Fortenberry Theatre drew a great crowd each night. The students’ performances caused standing ovations—their dedication and passion is something we all can admire. That passion certainly showed up on stage each night showing that Grease, once again, did not disappoint. 

Students first auditioned for numerous parts and performance numbers to really make this show come alive on stage. After the cast was set, all members put in countless and long hours of hard work. Practices for the school musical lasted from after school until night and also took place on school holidays and weekends. The cast’s dedication to the show really shone in their devotion and hard work.

The cast of this year’s show was composed of all ages of Prep students, contributing to the show in more ways than one. Cast members sang, danced, performed, and recited, and all in all really embodied the expectations of the show. Students also served on set crew moving sets, working the lighting, and making sure the show ran as smoothly as possible. Some notable performances from the main cast include Foster O’Quinn as Danny Zuko, Anna Voynik as Sandy Dumbrowski, Will Meck as Kenickie Murdoch, Ellyn Waits as Rizzo, Paul Greg as Teen Angel in Beauty School Dropout, Rachel Rutledge as Patty Simcox, Macy Polk as Jan, and many, many others. 

The 50s production, Grease, is a classic and furthermore a household name to many families. The excitement that was drawn from the art department announcing their musical was no surprise considering Fortenberry Theatre drew a great crowd each night. The students’ performances caused standing ovations—their dedication and passion is something we all can admire. That passion certainly showed up on stage each night showing that Grease, once again, did not disappoint.