SPOTLIGHT ON: Eric Schneider and Emily Padgett, 'Danny and Sandy' in GREASE at Atlanta's Fox 8/7 - 8/16

When one mentions the smash hit musical Grease, one of the first things that comes to mind is the timeless love affair between it's main characters, Sandy Dumbrowski, the new girl in town looking for her place to fit in and Danny Zuko, the slick and cool leader of the T-Birds. This classic romance ignites afresh on stage in Atlanta August 7 - 16 in a new production of Grease presented by Theater of the Stars at the Fabulous Fox Theatre. I had the pleasure of talking with Eric Schneider and Emily Padgett, who play Danny and Sandy, about their experience with the show and their unique take on these iconic characters.

Is this your first experience with Grease?

Emily Padgett: I was a part this version on Broadway and I understudied the role of Sandy. It was a really nice experience on Broadway and it has been a great experience out here. All that hard work I put in understudying has paid off and now I get to play to role every day.

Eric Schneider: This is definitely my first experience with Grease. I saw the movie years ago because my younger sister had it on loop for a couple of years, but I had never seen a stage production of Grease at all, so I came into it pretty blind. So, I think I had an advantage coming into the show and the character not knowing a lot about them.

What is it about this production that provides a fresh take on Grease?

EP: Our show is a very colorful show, the scenic design and costume design, Its bubbly, but still very sexy. It is a bright, bouncy, fresh take on Grease. We have a cast that is young and energetic. You have all of the old hits that everybody likes, like "Hopelessly Devoted To You", and all the things people are looking for but we also put our own spin on it as well.

ES: Besides the young cast, there is also some great Broadway and performing experience, so even though the cast is young, it is a seasoned cast. I think what makes it really cool is the energy that we bring to the stage. The choreography is exciting and the voices are beautiful. Plus we have a star element with Taylor Hicks, so overall it is a high energy, high quality performance.

Do you find yourself connecting with your character in any way on a personal level?

EP: I think Sandy is a complex girl, who is attracted to the T-Birds and the Pink Ladies because they are so confident in who they are, and I think she finds that very attractive. I think when I was in high school I was defininitely the good girl of the bad crowd so in terms of that, we are very similar.

ES: I can relate to trying to find yourself, like in high school, trying to be cool and deal with these hormones and emotions. I have always played Danny as easily infatuated and a romantic at heart. He is tough, but deep down he is a little bit of a hopeless romantic.

What do you look forward to the most when you go out on stage each night?

EP: I really love the sexy parts. I love to dance. Sandy gets pushed around a bit in Act I and towards the end of Act II she says "I can be sexy and tough too". I have shades of  that in my personality, so for me that's really fun.

ES: My favorite part of the show itself is the end, doing "You're the One that I Want". By the time we get to that song the audience is ready for that number.

Eric, I understand you bought a motorcycle and now ride it between cities on the tour?

ES: I prefer to travel on it. I bought it on the road and have been touring on it ever since. I call it my girlfriend, my love affair. Some people don't understand it and think I am crazy riding between cities on my day off.  I can't rest when I am on a plane or traveling, but the motorcycle is a very Zen experience, it is a very meditative couple of hours.

Do you enjoy the variety that touring provides or do you sometimes wish you could just stay in one place?

EP: A little bit of both, but it depends on the city. There are definitely some times when we roll into a city and you are tired and you just want to find coffee, the hotel, the theatre, etc. But then it is also exciting to go to a new city you have never been to and explore what they have to offer.

ES: Before this I was in Jersey Boys on Broadway for about 13 months and I enjoyed being able to go home at night. I liked it because I am very close with my family and that was a big thing. I got to go home for a lot of birthdays and family events.  I do enjoy  traveling and seeing the country, however, but  I do miss my friends and family and I do miss New York.

You mentioned about the cast being young and energetic, and there are a lot of young people out there who want to get into the theatre business. Any advice for them?

EP: I would say that there are a lot of times you are told no, or you are not right for something, and you have to have a thick skin and know what you want out of the business and keep trying. If this is what you really want to do, don't let anyone tell you you can't. Have confidence!

ES: Persistence. Do this because you love it.

So don't sit "Alone at a Drive-In Movie", come spend a "Summer Night" with Danny, Sandy and the whole gang yourself when Grease plays the Fabulous Fox Theatre in Atlanta August 7-16, 2009. Performances from August 11 to 16 feature American Idol's Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel. Tickets are on sale NOW at all Ticketmaster outlets, at 800-982-2787 and online at www.ticketmaster.com  Ticket prices range from $20-$67.50.  Special group rates are available through the Fox Group Sales Dept. at 404-881-2000.

Photo by Joan Marcus 

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