SRO Productions III will bring back memories of the 1950s when it opens the musical Grease on Oct. 27, for a two-weekend run at the Schorr Family Firehouse Stage in Johnson City.
“It’s a show that’s fun to do that people know about,” said Scott Fisher, who is directing the production. “There’s something about the show that people love.”
The musical — with music, lyrics and book by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey — focuses on the teenage subculture of the 1950s known as “greasers” for their greased-back hair and rebel attitude. The show was a major hit on Broadway, running for eight years after opening in 1972. It was also a major hit in London. And, of course, it was a smash movie.
The SRO production will feature a cast of 20 actors and will be performed in the round, Fisher said. Kaitlin Pearson, a news anchor at WBNG-TV, is playing the female lead, Sandy. Roy Santa Croce, a newsman at WIVT-TV, is playing the male lead, Danny.
This casting was not planned, Fisher said. The two were selected based on auditions. But it does add a certain Romeo and Juliet element to the SRO production, Fisher said, with a laugh.
The production will be more like the author’s original vision than the movie, Fisher noted. The movie moved the setting from working class Chicago to sunny California, toned down some of the rough edges and changed some plot elements. But don’t worry: The SRO version will include the song “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” written for the movie.
Sarah Willikas is assistant director of the production. Hilary Rozak and Brendan Gardner are doing the music direction.
IF YOU GO: SRO Productions III will perform Grease Oct. 27-29 and Nov. 3-5 at the Schorr Family Firehouse Stage, 48 Willow St., Johnson City. Friday and Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday performances are at 2:30 p.m. Tickets at $25 can be ordered at SRO’s website, www.sroproductionsonline.com.
