Teen Angel, Adam Velk, a senior, sings with his angels in a dress rehearsal for the musical "Grease" in the auditorium at Wauconda High School. The musical will take place at the school Thursday, Nov. 20, through Saturday, Nov. 22.
(Candace H. Johnson photo)
WAUCONDA - Whether you're a greaser or a good girl, or you simply fell in love with the song "Greased Lightning," it might be worth a trip to Wauconda High School to see "Grease" performed Thursday, Nov. 20, through Saturday, Nov. 22.
The 1978 musical made famous by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John will be performed by a cast of nearly 30, a pit band of five and a technical crew of almost 20. They've been rehearsing for two hours a day, four days a week for the past two months.
And they can't wait for their hard work to pay off.
"This is definitely my favorite performance," said junior Haleigh Roberts, the show's very own Sandra Dee, who has been acting since she was 10 years old. "I really, really like 'Grease.' It's always been one of my favorite musicals."
Musicals at WHS generally draw a crowd of 1,000, but this year, director Jory Waldron hopes to bring in at least 1,500 because of the familiarity of the film.
The musical spans the generations - or at least a couple of them.
"I think the cast is very enthusiastic about 'Grease,' and we're really excited just because everyone's grown up watching it," Roberts said. "It's just a classical musical everyone enjoys. I know my parents really like 'Grease' - I'm sure all the parents are very excited to see it."
Waldron said it has been somewhat easier for her students to learn their parts exactly because of that.
"I think any time you do a well-known show, because it has been made into a movie, that it's somewhat easier for the students to learn and understand," Waldron said.
For some students, the musical is a chance to let out their inner personalities.
Chris Ulrich, a junior who stars as Danny Zuko, said his character fits him well.
"It gets to highlight my cocky side," he said. "It's basically my typecast, so I get to ham it up."
For others, it's been difficult to get into the role.
"I'm a hippy usually," said junior Lianna McDaniel, who plays Patty, the cheerleader. "So, now that I'm a cheerleader, it's different. It's not me at all - but it's fun."
"This is a different role for me," agreed senior Stephanie Harding, who plays Miss Lynch. "I'm always laughing when I'm supposed to be mean. [But] I'm working on it. I stand backstage and I tell myself, 'I'm mad. I hate children. This is awful.'"
As a whole, the cast is very familiar not only with the script, but with each other. About half the cast with named parts has participated together in plays from middle school through high school.
Ulrich and McDaniel, for example, have performed together since their second-grade play "Peter Pan," where Ulrich played Peter.
He is one of the few who plan to pursue some sort of theater or production projects in college.
For others, "Grease" is just a chance to have fun.
"I've always liked acting," said junior Jake Haan, who plays Doody. "It's just something I do. It's a way of life - a right of passage."
"They do it while they can," Waldron said. "They enjoy it."
If you go ...
Who: Wauconda High School
What: "Grease"
Where: Wauconda High School auditorium
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, Friday, Nov. 21, Saturday, Nov. 22
Tickets: $6 for adults; $5 for students
Contact: Director Jory Waldron at 847-526-6611, ext. 236
