Nazareth College Department of Theatre and Dance's GREASE Begins Today

The Nazareth College Theatre and Dance Department and Theatre League presents Grease - the three-time Tony Award-nominated musical about 10 working-class high school seniors, that is as popular today as when it premiered in 1971 - as the fourth and final show in the department's 2015-2016 production season. The show will run for one weekend only, beginning today, April 15 and 16 at 8 p.m. and April 17 at 2 p.m.; in the Callahan Theater at Nazareth College Arts Center.

A 1971 musical written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, and named after the 1950s American working-class youth dubbed "greasers" (because of the boys' greased-back hairstyles), Grease is set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School, and follows 10 working-class teenagers as they navigate peer pressure, politics, and love. The duck-tailed, hot-rodding Burger Palace Boys and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking Pink Ladies in bobby sox and pedal pushers evoke the look and sound of a generation. Led by head "greaser" Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski, the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as "Greased Lightnin'," "Summer Nights," and more, all recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley.

Grease has been successful on both stage and screen, and by the time it closed in 1980 the show's 3,388-performance run was the longest yet in Broadway history. The stage production has been nominated for three Tony Awards (1972 for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical, 1994 for Best Revival of a Musical, and 2008 for Best Revival of a Musical), and remains Broadway's 15th longest-running show.

Nazareth's production of Grease is directed by New York City-based dancer, choreographer, and teacher, Lori Leshner, with Corinne Aquilina, director of the Nazareth College musical theatre program, serving as music director. Other faculty members include Emily Stork - First Niagara Rochester Fringe Festival lighting designer - as lighting designer; Allen Shannon as scenic designer; and Yuanting Zhao as costume designer.

The cast includes Nazareth College students Kaitie Buckert (Sandy); Matt Combs (Kenickie); John Connors (Johnny Casino); Michaela Groth (Marty); Seth Hatch (Doody); Anna Kostakis (Frenchy); Janna Kozloski (Patty); Alexus Maxam (Mrs. Lynch); Emily Mullin (Rizzo); Ged Owen (Sonny); Meghan Palmer (Cha-Cha); Grant Richards (Teen Angel); Mike Schuetz (Vince Fontaine); Justin Smith (Eugene); Peter Smith (Roger); Abby Voss (Jan); and Olivia Bauso, Erich Bonitz, Anastasia Pembrook, Abby Prem, Chris Salvaggio, Regan Stacey, and Jacob Smith in the chorus. Joe Bach plays Danny.

The student crew is made up of Josh Feldman (stage manager); Nolan Todd and Katja Stavenhagen (assistant stage managers); Grant Richards (dance captain); and Briar Rose Murphy (props).

The orchestra consists of Nazareth College pianist Anthony Bisbano; Nazareth College Music Department students Nick Sutton (tenor sax), Dylan Niver (drums), and Sean Power (electric bass); as well as Austen Wahl (guitar) and Sean Power (electric bass) from the Eastman School of Music.

General admission tickets to Grease are $19-$20, and all students receive half-price tickets at the door with valid school ID. For tickets, call - or visit - the Box Office: 585-389-2170 or order online: boxoffice.naz.edu.

The Nazareth College Arts Center Box Office is located on campus, at 4245 East Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14618. Regular box office hours are Monday- Friday, 11am - 5pm, and for one hour prior to curtain time for Nazareth College Theatre Arts and Dance Department performances.

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