"Grease is the Word"
Hit musical "Grease" opens tomorrow with a look back to the era of slicked-back hair, poodle skirts, Elvis and the Edsel.
BY MARY LANCASTER INDEPENDENT WRITER
The rolicking musical "Grease," about teens in love in the 1950s, opens as the latest Theatre Workshop of Nantucket main stage show tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 7 at 5 p.m. in Bennett Hall. Set in California in 1959, the tale centers around lead characters Sandy Olsson and Danny Zuko who attend the fictional Rydell High School.

PHOTO BY MICHAEL GALVIN Adam Ioele (Danny) and Erin Baltsar (Sandy) rehearse with the rest of the cast in "Grease." PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE THEATRE WORKSHOP OF NANTUCKET, RIGHT AND BELOW.

Danny is the leader of the tough T-Birds, a gang of greasers who wear leather jackets, while sweet Sandy is part of the Pink Ladies gang. Sandy's acceptance into the Pink Ladies is challenged because of her overly prim and proper Sandra Dee-type, do no wrong personality. Danny and Sandy, who met and fell for each other over the summer, discover when school opens in the fall, that their budding relationship is complicated by social differences and realize something or somebody has to change.

Besides lively dance numbers, the TWN version of the Broadway show features a cast of 24 with plenty of singing. Songs featured include, "Grease is the Word," "Summer Nights," "You're the One that I Love," "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Greased Lightning."

Joshua William Theatre Workshop of Nantucket's resident company and Children's Theatre Conservatory Camp to stage three productions: "Grease," "The Little Mermaid," and "Pinocchio." Above and right: Members of TWN's resident company

"Grease" is directed by Roberta Esposito, a professional actress, singer and director from the Adirondacks, who was TWN's summer stock director last year and directed "Moby Dick, the Musical" and "Jack and the Beanstalk."

"I had so much fun last year and Nantucket is so beautiful and people are so warm that when I was asked to come back this year, I jumped at the chance," she said. "Grease" is a fun, fun show everybody seems to relate to and have fun watching. It's one of my favorite musicals. The music is so upbeat and energized. It's a dream to be able to direct it and I've got a great team."

Musical direction is by Laura Mulholland who hails from New York City. Choreography is by New York's Tara Harrison, TWN staffer Jessica Kody is stage manager, TWN's Jordana Fleischut is producing director and Donald Dallaire is costume designer and plays a T-Bird. Joseph Gilmore is in charge of hair, wigs and makeup and plays a T-Bird, while lighting is by Massachusetts resident Sandy Galley and Nantucket's Eric Schultz is technical director.

Brittany Beatt

The lead role of Sandy is portrayed by Erin Baltsar of Pennsylvania with Adam Ioele of Manhattan as Danny.

Selectman Mike Kopko's daughter Alex is one of the Pink Ladies.

"Grease" has a 5 p.m. curtain Aug. 7 and 8, 10, 16, 18, 23, 25 and 28. Tickets are $25 for kids and $35 for adults. An opening night party with cast introductions, light refreshments and beverages will be held from 7p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Martin House on Centre Street. Tickets are

$65. I

Roberta Esposito Caitlin Waiter Dick Baker Adam Ioele Erin Baltsar Donald Dallair Jessica Kody Jared Trioilo Joseph Gilmor Vanessa Calantropo Laura Mulholland Annie Ducket Michael Tierney Tara Harris PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE THEATRE WORKSHOP OF NANTUCKET