Grease premiered on Broadway in 1972 and by 1979 it had become the longest-running Broadway production to date, as well as the highest grossing movie musical. Created by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, Grease quickly became a new classic and has been re-created thousands of times around the world, both on amateur and professional stages. However, when Jacobs and Casey wrote Grease it was a completely new type of musical. Striving to create an accessible and entertaining musical, they rejected the classic show-tune type of songs in favor of rock ‘n’ roll, focusing on the quintessential lifestyle of the 1950s teenager.
Grease is undeniably a period piece full of all the fun pop culture icons and sentiments of the time, including fad dances, Elvis wannabes, and poodle skirts. The 1950s saw the birth of the group of people who were no longer children but not yet adults: the ‘teenager’. The energy, excitement, and angst of this age group shows up on stage in a variety of colorful characters, songs, and dances. Perhaps this is why this show is still so universally appealing, because it strikes a chord with all those who are teenagers and have been at some point. As Jacobs explains, “Grease has maintained its everlasting popularity, proving that teenage angst and love's young dream remain timeless and universal themes.” And Grease is just plain fun. As director David Gilmore explained, "Grease doesn't have a message ... it gives a flavor of being a teenager in the 50s when rock'n'roll and putting Grease on your hair were the most important things in life and this is the level that we should take it on." So slick your hair back, don’t be a square, and enjoy the ride. And in the words of Danny Zuko, “A-wop-baba-lu-bop-a-wop-bam-boom!”
I would like to personally thank the members of The Harlequin Club for embracing this show and making this experience such fun. In rehearsal after rehearsal they matched the characters with their energy and wit. Their dedication to this show and sense of camaraderie with one another has been impressive. The actors truly have tons of fun on the stage together and I am sure this will be infectious. The crew and tech, led by Allyssa Myers (stage manager) and Deiter Hanblicki (tech designer/captain) have been tremendously positive and willing, and without you none of this would be possible.
I would like to take this opportunity to also thank my amazing designers and colleagues, all of whose talents continuously astound me: Naomi Haus-Roth, friend and spectacular set designer; Cheri Snook, technical genius, Jenn Lanyon, creatively brilliant costume designer; and Leanne Schrier, our fantastic business manager. Thanks to Simon Daum (accompanist) and Nicole Smith (assistant choreographer) for your support, camaraderie, and talents. Thanks to Jenny Lee Stern for lending us your brilliance and wisdom. Thanks to the administration at CB West, led by Jason Bucher. I would also like to thank Dr. Joseph Ohrt and Neil Delson for embarking on this rock ‘n’ roll adventure with me. The team aspect of mounting a musical is one of my favorite parts about directing.
~Jessica Bostock, director/choreographer
