It is a milestone year for “Grease,” which debuted on Broadway in 1972.
The Beverly Theatre Guild celebrates that 50th anniversary by opening its 60th season by staging the popular musical from Oct. 21 to 23 at Morgan Park Academy Arts Center’s Baer Theater in Chicago.
“I grew up on the show ’cause it’s my mom favorite musical actually. It meant something different to me at various points of my life depending on age and how close I was in age to the characters,” said Lauren Katz, director of “Grease.”
“Looking at it now, especially as someone who teaches high schoolers, I was just especially struck by how relatable these characters are and their fears of being seen by their peers and how that very real fear of being vulnerable was just something really interesting to me.
“I was excited by that story and, of course, it’s just fun music. It’s a classic. Seeing them all do ‘Summer Nights’ has been a blast and (there’s) all those favorite songs.”
“Grease” with book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey also features “Greased Lightnin'” and “We Go Together” from the original stage production and “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re the One That I Want” from the 1978 film of the same name.
Katz, a freelance teaching artist who also works full time in the education department of Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, noted that the musical is “quite different” from the movie although the basic story is the same.
“Danny and Sandy meet each other over the summer and unexpectedly end up at the same school in the fall, Danny being the head of the T-Birds and Sandy being the new girl,” said Katz, who first saw the film at age 8 and first saw the musical when her Maryland middle school staged the show.
“Over the course of the show they have to figure out how to push past everyone else’s judgments or feelings about their relationship or just define what their relationship means to each other.
“I think the die-hard fans of the movie will love it but they’ll also see some new things. That’s allowed us to have some flexibility and fun with what we are pulling from the movie because, of course, that’s what everybody loves and what we are playing around with and making specific to us.”
The cast is led by Faith Bas of Franklin Park as Sandy Dumbrowski and Declan Durr of Westmont as Danny Zuko.
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Other actors include residents of Alsip; Berwyn; Burbank; Chicago’s Beverly, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Mount Greenwood and Rogers Park communities; Chicago’s Buena Park neighborhood; Crestwood; Darien; Forest Park; Frankfort; La Grange; Lemont; Oak Lawn; Oak Park; and St. Charles.
“They’re amazing. We feel like the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds have all really jelled and created this beautiful chemistry onstage that is so fun to see in the songs and scenes, and the ensemble is just as talented,” said Katz of Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood.
“It’s made for a lot of fun moments for the whole team as we figure out how to bring this show to life and highlight everyone in their own way.”
Individuals helping Katz with that task include producers Wayne Wendell and Sheilah O’Grady co-assistant directors and choreographers Nikki Dizon and Christina Pacini Ron Attreau, making his Beverly Theatre Guild debut as music director; and set designer Emil Zbella.
Although Broadway audiences first came to know “Grease” five decades ago, the musical’s debut performance was in 1971 at the Kingston Mines Theatre in Chicago.
“I love that it originated here. With everything that happened with Olivia Newton-John, it feels very real in a different way,” said Katz, about the actress who played Sandy Olsson in the film and died Aug. 8.
“There’s just a lot of things that come up as we stage it and talk about the story. Yes, it took place in the 1950s and there’s certain elements that are very specific to the ’50s but a lot of those elements also carry into today.”
The Beverly Theatre Guild’s 2022-23 season also includes “Steel Magnolias” from Feb. 17 to 19, 2023, and “The Wizard of Oz” from April 28 to 30. Season tickets are $50.
‘Grease’
When: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 21-22; 2 p.m. Oct. 23
Where: Morgan Park Academy Arts Center’s Baer Theater, 2153 W. 111th St., Chicago
Tickets: $24 adults; $22 ages 60 and older or members; $16 students or ages 16 and younger
Information: 773-284-8497; beverlytheatreguild.org
Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.