The Pink Ladies – Jackie Ellmauer as Jan, Margaret Bruetsch as
Marty and Hannah Rettoun as Betty Rizzo.
Story and photos by Ted Waddell
Anthony Zelenka as Danny Zuko and Catherine Peters as Sandy Dombrowski.
LAKE HUNTINGTON – The Sullivan West High School Musical Production Club will present “Grease”, the classic rock ‘n roll musical in three performances at the auditorium: Friday and Saturday, March 12-13 at 7:00 p.m. followed by a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee on March 14.
Based upon the book, music and lyrics of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, the 1972 musical is named for the 1950s American working class subculture known as the “greasers.”
The show was first staged as “Grease Lightning”, and the script was loosely based on Jacob’s experience at William Howard Taft High School in Chicago.
“Grease” is set at the fictional Rydell High School during 1959 and tackles relevant social issues impacting the lives of young adults such as gang violence, teenage pregnancy, rebellion, sexual awakening, love and friendship.
A fight breaks out between rivals Betty Rizzo,(Hannah Rettoun) and Sandy Dombrowski,(Catherine Peters).
The underlying tones of class consciousness and class conflict resonate through the production, as three of the main characters interact on stage: Danny Zuko, the protagonist, cocky leader of the Burger Palace Boys (later on the T-Birds), as portrayed by Anthony Zelenka; Sandy Dombrowski, the new girl in town, pure, kind and innocent, but with a bit of the devil in her heart as played by Catherine Peters; and Betty Rizzo, the tough and sarcastic leader of the Pink Ladies, portrayed by Hannah Rettoun.
In a closely guarded secret that has to be revealed, superintendent of schools Dr. Kenneth Hilton, appears as Teen Angel, the guardian angel from heaven who tries to offer advice to Frenchy (played by Kate Bunch) after she drops out of beauty school.
Chris Murphy as Johnny Casino.
“They wanted me to be Teen Angel because I’m the only one around here old enough to remember the 50s,” quipped Dr. Hilton. “I’m the only one who knew what a malt shop was.”
Presented in two acts, “Grease”, which in its record-breaking original Broadway production was raunchy and raw, but has since been toned down, will be presented in two acts and a finale, all filled with spirited songs and dance routines, choreographed by Jamie Ward.
The local high school production is directed by Nick Iacovitti, assisted by Kim Eschenberg (vocal director), Ross Reynolds (pit orchestra director), and Patricia Ellmauer (producer).
Dr. Kenneth Hilton as Teen Angel with Kindra Barker, prom singer
The cast (in order of appearance): Sommer Johansen as Miss Lynch, Allie Ellmauer as Patty Simcox, Brian Recktenwall-Calvert as Eugene Florczyk, Jackie Ellmauer as Jan, Margaret Bruetsch as Marty, Hannah Rettoun as Betty Rizzo, Sam Satanovsky as Doody, Brendan Creegan as Roger, RJ Smith as Kenickie, Artie Norden as Sonny LaTierri, Kate Bunch as Frenchy, Catherine Peters as Sandy Dombrowski, Anthony Zelenka as Danny Zuko, Austin Erlwein as Vince Fontaine, Chris Murphy as Johnny Casino, Adina Fadis as Cha-Cha DiGregorio, and Dr. Kenneth Hilton as Teen Angel.
Alma Mater Ensemble: Amanda Bercze, Taylor Brockner, Leeann Bruetsch, Kaylan Cemelli, Melissa Goggin, Olivia Grady, Elaine Gwathney, Chrissy
Lare, Lizzie Nicoletti, Gracie O’Conner, Maggie Paciga and Lillie Wheaton.
Hannah Rettoun as Betty Rizzo, RJ Smith as Kenickie, Adina Fadis as Cha-Cha DiGregorio, Anthony Zalenka as Danny Zuko.
Magic Changes Ensemble: Leeann Bruetsch, Melissa Goggin, Olivia Grady and
Gracie O’Conner.
Prom Singers: Kendra Barker, Katie Dnistrain, Rianne Erlwein and Morgan Hawkins.
“My background was in the music business for quite a number of years, then I switched to teaching,” said Iacovitti, director of Sullivan West’s staging of Grease.
“They asked me to direct a musical, and for years the seniors wanted to do [Grease] ever since 7th grade…it just caught fire.“
“The kids were just great, and the work they put into it was just unbelievable…a lot of people think it’s about a good girl going bad, but it isn’t. It’s about trying to be who you are, and yet fitting in with your peers, something that is timeless no matter what age,” added Iacovitti.
To view more photos from Greased Lightning or to purchase prints visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.
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The Catskill Chronicle 
Greased Lightning
March 12, 2010 by The Catskill Chronicle
The Pink Ladies – Jackie Ellmauer as Jan, Margaret Bruetsch as
Marty and Hannah Rettoun as Betty Rizzo.
Story and photos by Ted Waddell
Anthony Zelenka as Danny Zuko and Catherine Peters as Sandy Dombrowski.
LAKE HUNTINGTON – The Sullivan West High School Musical Production Club will present “Grease”, the classic rock ‘n roll musical in three performances at the auditorium: Friday and Saturday, March 12-13 at 7:00 p.m. followed by a 2:00 p.m. Sunday matinee on March 14.
Based upon the book, music and lyrics of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, the 1972 musical is named for the 1950s American working class subculture known as the “greasers.”
The show was first staged as “Grease Lightning”, and the script was loosely based on Jacob’s experience at William Howard Taft High School in Chicago.
“Grease” is set at the fictional Rydell High School during 1959 and tackles relevant social issues impacting the lives of young adults such as gang violence, teenage pregnancy, rebellion, sexual awakening, love and friendship.
A fight breaks out between rivals Betty Rizzo,(Hannah Rettoun) and Sandy Dombrowski,(Catherine Peters).
The underlying tones of class consciousness and class conflict resonate through the production, as three of the main characters interact on stage: Danny Zuko, the protagonist, cocky leader of the Burger Palace Boys (later on the T-Birds), as portrayed by Anthony Zelenka; Sandy Dombrowski, the new girl in town, pure, kind and innocent, but with a bit of the devil in her heart as played by Catherine Peters; and Betty Rizzo, the tough and sarcastic leader of the Pink Ladies, portrayed by Hannah Rettoun.
In a closely guarded secret that has to be revealed, superintendent of schools Dr. Kenneth Hilton, appears as Teen Angel, the guardian angel from heaven who tries to offer advice to Frenchy (played by Kate Bunch) after she drops out of beauty school.
Chris Murphy as Johnny Casino.
“They wanted me to be Teen Angel because I’m the only one around here old enough to remember the 50s,” quipped Dr. Hilton. “I’m the only one who knew what a malt shop was.”
Presented in two acts, “Grease”, which in its record-breaking original Broadway production was raunchy and raw, but has since been toned down, will be presented in two acts and a finale, all filled with spirited songs and dance routines, choreographed by Jamie Ward.
The local high school production is directed by Nick Iacovitti, assisted by Kim Eschenberg (vocal director), Ross Reynolds (pit orchestra director), and Patricia Ellmauer (producer).
Dr. Kenneth Hilton as Teen Angel with Kindra Barker, prom singer
The cast (in order of appearance): Sommer Johansen as Miss Lynch, Allie Ellmauer as Patty Simcox, Brian Recktenwall-Calvert as Eugene Florczyk, Jackie Ellmauer as Jan, Margaret Bruetsch as Marty, Hannah Rettoun as Betty Rizzo, Sam Satanovsky as Doody, Brendan Creegan as Roger, RJ Smith as Kenickie, Artie Norden as Sonny LaTierri, Kate Bunch as Frenchy, Catherine Peters as Sandy Dombrowski, Anthony Zelenka as Danny Zuko, Austin Erlwein as Vince Fontaine, Chris Murphy as Johnny Casino, Adina Fadis as Cha-Cha DiGregorio, and Dr. Kenneth Hilton as Teen Angel.
Alma Mater Ensemble: Amanda Bercze, Taylor Brockner, Leeann Bruetsch, Kaylan Cemelli, Melissa Goggin, Olivia Grady, Elaine Gwathney, Chrissy
Lare, Lizzie Nicoletti, Gracie O’Conner, Maggie Paciga and Lillie Wheaton.
Hannah Rettoun as Betty Rizzo, RJ Smith as Kenickie, Adina Fadis as Cha-Cha DiGregorio, Anthony Zalenka as Danny Zuko.
Magic Changes Ensemble: Leeann Bruetsch, Melissa Goggin, Olivia Grady and
Gracie O’Conner.
Prom Singers: Kendra Barker, Katie Dnistrain, Rianne Erlwein and Morgan Hawkins.
“My background was in the music business for quite a number of years, then I switched to teaching,” said Iacovitti, director of Sullivan West’s staging of Grease.
“They asked me to direct a musical, and for years the seniors wanted to do [Grease] ever since 7th grade…it just caught fire.“
“The kids were just great, and the work they put into it was just unbelievable…a lot of people think it’s about a good girl going bad, but it isn’t. It’s about trying to be who you are, and yet fitting in with your peers, something that is timeless no matter what age,” added Iacovitti.
To view more photos from Greased Lightning or to purchase prints visit the Chronicle on Zenfolio.
Click any service in this box to share this post with your friends!
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