Centenary Stage Company Announces Cast For Summer Of Musical Theatre Including GREASE And I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE.

This summer, Centenary Stage Company will present their summer musical series featuring Grease and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Performances for Grease will run July 11 – 21 and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change will run August 1 - 11 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center of the Centenary University campus at 715 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ.

The cast of Grease will include Centenary University students, alumni, CSC veterans, and a few brand-new faces! The cast includes: Raymond Ocasio IV, Mackenzey Reilly, Nicole Boscarino, Megan Schmiedhauser, Stacie Michelle, Lauren Noack, Dan F. Sims, Ryan Griffin, Josh Crowley, Billy Mills, Cody Jackson, Griffin Gartlgruber, Deirdre Bryant, Erin Clark, Arianna Cacioppo, Najee Tariq, Jeremy Ashton, Maximus Klevence, Kyle Hendricks, Saquan Williams, Sophie Belkin, Cherise Graham, Sam Lewis, Hope Keil, and Pamela Welsch.

Directing this production of Grease is Michael Restaino. Michael Restaino is a multi-hyphenated creative with a diverse background in working on theatrical experiences world-wide. Previous CentenaryStage Company works include Rock of Ages (Director/Choreographer) and The Little Mermaid (co-Director/Choreographer.) As an advocate for the arts, Michael actively works to mentor emerging talent by being dedicated to creating a safe and welcoming theatrical environment, prioritizing inclusivity, diversity and respect within the industry. Michael is excited to be going back to Rydell High and bringing and new vision to Grease. 

The cast of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change include Centenary University alumni, and CSC veterans! The cast includes: George Xavier, Aycka Lima, Cassandra Lindeblad, Kevin Whernahan, James Gerard Russo, Kayla Chirip, and Cody Jackson.

Co-directing and choreographing, this production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change is Lea Antolini-Lid. Antolini Lid is the Assistant Professor of Theater & Dance as well as the director of CSC’s Young Audience Series Tour, and the producer/director of the NEXTstage Rep. Summer Stock Musical Series. Most recently, Lea co-directed The Lightning Thief this April, The Little Mermaid in the winter of 2023, Seussical the Musical in the summer of 2023, and Addams Family in April 2023, directed RENT in the summer of 2022, as well as the YAS productions of Frog & Toad and Grace for President at CSC this past season and was seen onstage as the Stepmother in Cinderella. Lea has directed the CSC Summer Stock Musical series for several years and you have also seen her directorial work on Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Always…Patsy Cline, and more.

Jillian Petrie will also serve as co-director and choreographer for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Jillian Petrie is a highly acclaimed choreographer and director, renowned for her remarkable body of work comprising hundreds of productions. Her work has garnered widespread praise and has been featured in various theater, dance, festival, museum, and opera productions, including Off-Broadway and regional AEA world premieres. A sought-after director and choreographer, The Star-Ledger has hailed her creations as "Better than Broadway!" She enjoys sharing her expertise as an adjunct professor at Centenary University, nurturing the next generation of artists. Her most recent CSC credits include Director/Choreographer for The Marvelous Wonderettes and Co-Director/Choreographer for Seussical the Musical. Jillian's artistic journey has been shaped by valuable training experiences, including the Broadway Observership and her time spent at respected institutions such as the Directors Lab, Broadway Dance Center's Choreography Program, and the Laban Conservatoire in London. In addition to her contributions to the performing arts, Jillian is the founder of Athletes & Artists, a media company that explores the intersection of sports and the arts, @athletesartists. To stay connected with Jillian and keep up with her latest projects, follow her on Instagram, @NYChoreographer. www.jillianpetrie.com

More Information

Performance dates and times for Grease are Thursdays, July 11 and 18 at 7:30 pm; Fridays, July 12 and 19 at 8:00 pm; Saturdays, July 13 and 20 at 8:00 pm; and Sundays, July 14 and 21 at 2:00 pm. Performance dates and times for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change are Thursdays, August 1 and 8 at 7:30 pm; Fridays, August 2 and 9 at 8:00 pm; Saturdays, August 3 and 10 at 8:00 pm; and Sundays, August 4 and 11 at 2:00 pm. Tickets for Grease range from $29.50 - $35.00 and tickets for I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change range from $27.50 – $29.50 for adults with discounts available for seniors, students, and children under 12 for select performances. The Summerfest musicals will also feature family night on Thursday evening performances, with a Buy One, Get One ticket special beginning at 5:30 PM in person at the box office. For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979-0900.

For more information or to reserve tickets, visit centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979-0900. The Centenary Stage Company box office is open Monday through Friday from 1:00-5:00 pm and two hours prior to performances. The box office is located in the Lackland Performing Arts Center on the campus of Centenary University at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown, NJ. 

To post a comment, you must register and login.