Grease

This American musical dates from 1971 and is set in the fictional Rydell High School in Chicago and is the story of ten teenagers coping with the complexities of love and growing up. Regarded as a somewhat raunchy and vulgar show when it first appeared on Broadway, this has not deterred Harlequin in the least and their spring production was its third appearance in the Group’s list of shows having been staged at Eastwood in 1985 and 1992 when Grace E Smith, now the Group’s Honorary President was the producer of each show. The current Director Susan Kernohan and present Choreographer were both in the 1992 cast and know the show from both sides of the footlights!
The principal cast showed maturity in acting and singing well beyond their years as one must always remember that at 21 years of age, they must leave Harlequin. The ages of the principals ranged from 16 to 21 years and there was no weak member of the cast. Reading their pen sketches in the programme, I was struck by the fact that most are in the course of senior studies and I can sympathise with them as they cope with that work but also understand how important to them is their clear devotion to music and acting for Harlequin. I do not single out any of the main principals for special mention as all gave excellent performances as did the other principals and the large cast of chorus Girls and Boys, all to the accompaniment of the Rydell High School Band under the direction of M.D. Ronnie Hillis! A timely return of this show to the repertoire.
 

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