Teenage dreams

In a nod to simpler times, the Sun City Theater Company is donning poodle skirts, bobby socks, and letter sweaters to bring “Grease” to the stage.

“It’s always fun when you have adults play teenagers,” said Rob Kaye, director. “It’s amusing to see them be the cool ones, the nerds, or the hot chicks.”

Kaye is thrilled to direct “Grease” for the first time. Even at auditions, he could tell that the buy-in from the cast was going to be phenomenal.

“I’ve never seen so many people wear costumes to audition,” he said. “They were all dressed up in 50s style.”

Val Stroud, choreographer, says the cast is giving it their all with the dancing and the movements. (Hand jive, anyone?)

“I tell you, we put on a first class production, and it’s because of all the hard work,” she said.

But Stroud says the production benefits from more than just the talented cast you’ll see on stage.

“In this community we have so many talented people that can do makeup, wigs, costumes, building. Everybody’s got a talent, and it all works together,” said Stroud.

Set in the 1950s, Grease tells the unlikely love story between the good girl, Sandy, and the greaser, Danny. Their summer romance comes to an end until they find out they attend the same high school.

“It’s a show we can relate to in my generation,” said Stroud. “It was a happy time for us. We were carefree. That’s what this show is – it’s about kids that are carefree.”

Kaye said the cast is comprised of seasoned alumni and new faces to the Sun City stage.

“We have a whole new slew of people,” he said. “That’s always my hope, to get new blood coming in constantly.”

Kaye enjoys casting a relatively newer actor in a bigger part, even when they don’t feel ready.

“That’s the joy I get out of it. You say, ‘I think you’re ready. You’re going to do this part.’ They dive in head first and for twelve weeks, they go crazy with it. They’re working really hard, just killing it,” he said.

“I hope people are looking forward to seeing us do something a little surprising,” said Kaye. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. The amount of hair on guys does not matter!”

Performances for the Theatre Company’s Fall play, “Grease,” will be November 16 and 17 at 7 p.m., November 18 at 3 p.m., and November 19 at 1:30 p.m. in the Drendel Ballroom. Tickets will be on sale Monday, October 9 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Drendel Breakout Room and Mondays, October 23 and November 6 from 9 a.m. until noon in the Fountain View Atrium. Tickets are $17 for adults and $12 for children under 12. Cash or check only, please.

For additional ticket information for Thursday and Friday tickets call: 847-515-8545 or Saturday and Sunday tickets call: 847-515-1583.

Head: Theater Company Brings Simpler Times of ‘Grease’ to the Stage

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