News Detail
Grease Is the Word
The musical Grease has been through many incarnations in the more than 50 years since it premiered in Chicago in 1971, from the original stage production to Broadway to the 1978 movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John to countless revivals.
Shawnigan is set to put its spin on Grease for the first time since 2012. This is the second production for the creative team of Mr. Sal Interlandi (director), Mrs. Rosalynd Roome ’91 (producer), Ms. Mandy Bryant (musical director) and Ms. Annie Marland (choreographer). Grease is a “demanding show” says Mr. Interlandi, with more dancing than last year’s production, The Addams Family, but the “wonderful cast” can definitely handle it.
“The students are buying in and having fun,” Ms. Marland says of the dancing in particular. “We’re trying to take some inspiration from the movie and Broadway, incorporating some iconic moves.”
Josef J. and Ariel M. return as the leads this year after playing Gomez and Morticia Addams last year, with Keegan L., Talia S., Audrey T. and Charlie G. also back from The Addams Family. Georgia G., Grant N. and Luke V. are back on board this year after impressive turns in Legally Blonde two years ago, and Sharm P., Grace S. and Emmett N. are strong additions to this year’s cast. There is also a new crew, led by Mattias P., the first new stage manager in three years.
Mr. Interlandi acknowledges that there are a number of challenges when it comes to putting on a show like Grease, not the least of which was that perspectives on the musical have changed over the decades. It is important to remember, the director notes, that Grease originated as a satire, but much of that was lost when the movie became the definitive version. It is seen as a sexist trope when Sandy changes from the “good girl” into a “greaser girl” at the end of the film, but Mr. Interlandi thinks there are other ways to look at it.
“Is Sandy really changing for Danny?” he asks. “Or has she been struggling all along with her own identity?”
Other challenges for the team included finding the right music — a blend of songs from the original musical and the movie — which required getting special permission from the publishers, and building a set that includes a car — “Greased Lightning,” without which the production really wouldn’t be the same.
Tickets are now on sale for Shawnigan’s four performances of Grease at the McPherson Playhouse in Victoria. The performances run on Thursday, February 8 at 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 9 at 12:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, February 10 at 2 p.m.
Please click here to purchase tickets.
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Shawnigan Lake School is an independent co-educational boarding school for ages 13 –18 on Canada’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Our diverse, interdisciplinary and innovative programming helps shape the next generation of global leaders.
