As Visual and Performing Arts programs continue to grow exponentially in popularity, this growth also gives program directors a chance to push and challenge their students to aim for higher achievements in these departments.
This year, Mrs. Vejarano, El Rancho High School’s drama teacher, is doing just that with the school’s spring theater production of Grease.
(Auditions are open to all students, with vocal/acting auditions on Thursday, Feb. 20, and dance auditions on Friday, Feb. 21. Pick up your audition packets today!)
To prepare for “rockin’ and rollin’ and what not”, let’s review this classic musical.
The 1978 film Grease, directed by Randal Kleiser, was extremely successful critically and commercially. It became the highest-grossing musical of the time and ended 1978 as the second-best-selling album of the year, second only to Saturday Night Fever (1977).
With an iconic soundtrack featuring songs such as “Greased Lightnin’” and the ever-popular “Hopelessly Devoted To You,” this musical is a timeless classic for people of all ages to enjoy.
Grease tells the story of Danny Zuko (John Travolta) and Sandy Olsson (Olivia Newton-John), two “summer flings” who unexpectedly reunite at school. After being sweet and smitten with each other throughout the summer, Sandy is disregarded by Danny for the sake of his reputation as the cool, bad-boy leader of the greaser gang “T-Birds.” In Response, Sandy finds comfort for her broken heart in an opposing clique, “The Pink Ladies.”
The movie ends with a suspenseful race between Danny and Leo, the leader of “The Scorpions.” (which was the T-Birds’ rival gang). Danny wins the race, however, when he makes his way over to celebrate with Sandy, he finds her missing. The movie reveals that during the race, Sandy concludes that she is still in love with Danny and enlists “Beauty School Drop Out” Frenchy Faccino to transform her into the dream girl for her lover.
The musical provides genius satirical comedy, making fun of the slang and attitudes of a stereotypical 1950s clique. Words like “cats and chicks” make their way onto the screen with seamless transitions.
Over the decades, the ending has been up for debate, with communities agreeing that Sandy shouldn’t have to change herself simply to please a man. Others argue that it was the way of the times then, and we should just appreciate the cheesy yet intriguing course of the movie.
