Welcome to Nyack High School’s 2024 performance of Grease!
The very first Broadway production of Grease opened in June of 1972, which makes the play almost 52 years old. This story, adapted into an instantly classic film in 1978, has become ingrained into the American psyche. Between social commentary and undeniably incredible music, Grease has something for everyone.
However, those who listen carefully to the lyrics of “Summer Nights,” get tired of the all-white characters, and are put off by the rape culture perpetuated in the show might wonder: why is Nyack doing Grease? Why now?
When speaking about the origins of the show, director Ben Tostado explained that the show “started out as a nostalgic piece, written by two friends in the 1970s.” He continued, “it depicted the true lives of teenagers. But through the course of being on Broadway, and leading up to the 1978 film, it got sanitized.” While the film gave us iconic characters, infectious songs, and quotable lines, it negated the point of the original stage play. While Grease was originally written to depict the hardships, joy, and reality of teenagehood, it is frozen in our collective memory as a juvenile, bubblegum pop movie.
In outlining his vision for Nyack’s production, Tostado stressed the context of the 1950s. He described postwar America’s societal norms, noting that, “If you were a boy, you had to be masculine, you had to be strong. You had domineer over women. Likewise, if you were a girl, you had to dress yourself up and make yourself attractive to boys, but not go overboard for fear of gaining a reputation.”
“The only person in this show that goes against that cliche,” Tostado says, “is Rizzo.”
Tostado wants to play Grease as a group of teenagers “choked by societal norms”, stepping out of their socially assigned boxes. From the allegedly pregnant teen to the rebellious “good girl” to the flamenco dancer who steals the show, the women in Grease employ plenty of self-agency—and don’t get enough credit for it.
By today’s standards, Grease reeks of objectification, bimbofication and slut-shaming. However, in Nyack’s staging, Tostado hopes audiences leave “reflecting, comparing and contrasting” the experiences of Rydell High’s lovable misfits with those of Gen Z.
Of course, the question is, how far have we really come, when issues like “Don’t Say Gay” legislation, book bans, and restrictions on reproductive rights dominate the news cycle?
Maybe that’s why it’s worth taking Grease — its cool cars, shiny jackets, and toe tapping songs — for one more spin. To remind us that, as Coretta Scott King once wrote, “Freedom is never really won, you earn it and win it in every generation.” Now it’s our turn.
by Josie Rothman
