‘Grease’ is the word at Monessen High School

By Kaylie Moore
kmoore@yourmvi.com
“Grease” is the word in Monessen School District this week.
The Monessen High School/Middle School Group for the Performing Arts will host its annual spring musical at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday in the high school auditorium.
This year’s show, “Grease,” opened just over 40 years ago on Broadway and has since become a cult classic, inspiring the 1978 movie of the same name, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski, respectively.
With themes of teenage love, friendship and rebellion set in a 1950s backdrop, “Grease” follows its characters through their senior year at Rydell High, as they try to fit in, have fun and support each other through good and bad times.
Director/producer Hilary Brown said she once declared she would “never do this show,” because she disagreed with its mixed messages.
“Everyone who has seen the movie thinks Sandy has to change for Danny to love her, but in our show, she’s changing for herself and Danny is changing, too,” Brown said. “At the beginning of the show, when the two meet on vacation, they are their true selves. By the end, we see them both returning to who they really are. In a way, it shows that you can go through that teenage, sexual awakening of sorts, but still be true to yourself in the process.”
Brown said it was “finally having the perfect cast,” and her students’ annual requests to perform “Grease” that ultimately changed her mind.
“It’s a mostly student-run show. The cast is incredible and I have student stage managers, so I’m able to walk away and let them run things,” she said. “Last year, we did a more traditional show, but this year, we had enough guys to finally do this.”
Brown, who is leading her 10th show this year, said she’s a “mom” to her cast and crew, which comprises sixth- through 12th-grade students.
“I’ve watched so many of them on this stage since they were what I consider little babies,” she said. “It’s amazing to see, especially the shy ones, grow and come out of their shells as time goes on.”
The show stars junior Cammi Kovach as Sandy Dumbrowski and sophomore Bodie DuBreucq as Danny Zuko, as well as Madison Popovich as Frenchy; Milana Sacco as Betty Rizzo; Olivia Peralta as Marty; Olivia Panicucci as Jan; Charles Mrlack III as Kenickie; Quentin Zboyovsky as Roger; Josh Anderson as Doody; Anthony Mauro as Sonny Latierri; Chloe Miller as Patty Simcox; Jack Sacco as Eugene Florczyk; Theresa Wall as Miss Lynch; Monica Kramer as an older Miss Lynch; Amber Spinelli as an adult Patty Simcox; Joseph Trozzo as an adult Eugene Florczyk; Darrian Allensworth as Vince Fontaine; Gabe Leach as Johnny Casino; Baylee Post as Cha-Cha DiGregorio; Albert Johnson as Teen Angel; and Samantha Johnson, Olivia Cooper, Aaliyah Rice and Lacey Caterino as cheerleaders.
Ensemble cast members include Joelle Robinson, Samantha Strain, Caitlin Major, Jenna Wilson, Shania Lakin, Gracie Zizis, Selena Fleming, Gabby Cardoso, Skyy Borinsky, Isabella Cardoso, Karissma Carrion, Raven Anderson and Rhianna Grogan.
Kristin Dudra serves as the production’s vocal coach, while Megan McKenna is the choreographer.
Brown also thanked students and teachers at the Mon Valley Career and Technical Center for building the show’s iconic car, “Greased Lightning,” in its automotive classes.
Brown said what she loves most about “Grease” is that it’s “teenagers playing teenagers.”
“They’re not pretending to be adults. Why not do a show that they can relate to?” she said. “Just because it’s set in a different time period, doesn’t mean it’s not the same situations that all teens go through. As adults know, you get that first taste of young adulthood in high school and you run with it.”
Tickets are $14 for adults, $12 for students, and $10 for children ages 10 and younger. Tickets may be purchased online at https://mhsgpa.booktix.com.
There are no refunds or cancellations, as all seats are by reservation only.
Brown said she hopes audiences will appreciate how much work her cast, crew and parent volunteers have put into this year’s production.
“We don’t get a budget. This is all the kids and their parents. It takes a village to do this,” she said. “We want everyone to see that, while we might be a small school, we can put on a huge, professional show.”