Grease is the word!

Crimson Review staff|May 11, 2023

Maggie Hall (Jan), Sarah Malette (Marty) Ava Trento (Rizzo), Thuy Schmitz (Frenchy) and Breann Hellings (Sandy) during a lunch scene. The cast and crew of Grease have been practicing for weeks and weeks in preparation for this week’s production.

The Concord High School Drama Club will present the school edition of one of the most popular musicals of all time beginning tonight, May 11, in Christa McAuliffe Auditorium.

Grease will run nightly through Saturday, May 13, with performances at 7 p.m. There is also a matinee performance Saturday at 2 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online for $15 per adult and $12 per student or senior online. Seats are selling fast. Tickets can be purchased at the door, if seats are available, for $18 per adult or $15 per student or senior.

CHS Drama Club director Clint Klose, writing for the Concord Monitor, said Grease was last performed at CHS more than a dozen years ago “and it was time to bring back this classic.”

Songs from the musical include “Summer Nights,” Mooning,” “Magic Changes,” “We Go Together,” “You’re the One That I Want” and more.

Ryder Fisk (Kenickie), Colin Sheehan (Sonny), Gavin Johnson (Danny), Shaun Wicks (Roger) and Caleb Mitchell (Eugene) in an early scene from the play. (Clint Klose)

“The Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys are ready to entertain the community with toe-tapping music and fabulous choreography,” said Klose, crediting Carolyn Coskren of Dance Inspirations for the moves.

Construction of the show’s clever and colorful was overseen by master builder and designer John Hatab. Assisting in set construction were Greg Malette, Jay Malette, Kelly Kinhan and Alen Head.

Master painters included Grey Dunlap, Leaf Quimpo and Willow Chimento.

Set painting credit goes to Matt Schultz, Willow Chimento, Sarah Malette, Amy Desrochers, Ryder Fisk, Taylor Minery, Lindsey McLaren, Libby LaBombard, Leaf Quimpo, Cali Mahon, Keegan Johnston, Christopher Lainey, Kelsey Verville, Ava Trento, Lily Lion, Josi Lion, Thuy Schmitz, Amanda Ribsam, Maddie Short, Breann Hellings, Caiden Mitchell, Maggie Hall, Madelyn Marabella and Flynn Ortiz.

Klose said the very talented Lynn Head was responsible for costuming. Costume assistants included Lilah Castellano, Amanda Ribsam and Delaney Afflick. Afflick is also in charge of makeup.

Keegan Johnson, Mia Costello and Xander Boucher are in charge of props.

Lighting credit goes to Lily Weigand and Izzy Jordan. Keith Smykil is overseeing video and LED lighting.

Other members of the creative crew include CHS music teachers Brin Cowette (vocal director) and Gabe Cohen (pit director).

The cast and crew of Grease have been practicing for weeks and weeks in preparation for this week’s production. (Iris Argue)

Pit crew musicians Klose and Liz McCormack (keyboard), Taylor Minery and Andy Greene (guitar), Anthony Varga and Jake Weaver (bass guitar), Janeza Ignacio (drums), Hayley Ducharme, Lindey McLaren and Ayden Blanchard (tenor saxophone).

Production staff members include stage manager Courtney Renaud, assistant stage manager Cali Mahon, audio engineer Skyler D’Amore, A2 stagehands Ethan Clark, Lily Weigand, Izzy Jordan, and Q Lab audio operator Cate Fox.

Actors in named roles include Gavin Johnson (Danny), Breann Hellings (Sandy), Ava Trento (Rizzo), Thuy Schmitz (Frenchy), Sarah Malette (Marty), Maggie Hall (Jan), Ryder T. Fisk (Kenickie), Caleb Jackson (Doody), Shaun Wicks (Roger), Colin Sheehan (Sonny), Kelsey Verville (Patty), Brynna Streeter (Cha-Cha), Caiden Mitchell (Eugene), Lochan Sharma (Vince Fontaine), Leaf Quimpo (Johnny Casino), Matt Schultz (Teen Angel) and Katherine Marino (Miss Lynch).

Members of the ensemble include Kayla Artus, Amy Desrochers, Grey Dunlap, Stuti Khatiwada, Holly Keenan, Libby LaBombard, Chris Lainey, Josi Lion, Lily Lion, Madelyn Marabella, Flynn Ortiz, Lochan Sharma, Maddie Short and Onyx Swanson. Holly Keenan also serves as Radio Voice.

CHS administrators contributing to the production include Jim Corkum (Hero’s Voice), Kaileen Chilauskas (Girl’s Voice) and Tim Herbert (Scientist’s Voice).

The cast and crew of Grease have been practicing for weeks and weeks in preparation for this week’s production. (Clint Klose)

Willow Chimento, Lilah Castellano and Mia Costello comprise the running set crew.

House manager is Lin Moulton.

Members of Tri-M Honor Society are serving as ushers. The show’s program was designed by Tom Mungovan.

Parent volunteer coordinators were Tracy Renaud and Pam Wicks.

In the director’s note included in the program, Klose gave a shoutout to Aubuchon Hardware and Capitol Paint and Wallpaper for their generous donations. The Palace Theatre lent this production its Greased Lighting car.

Local sponsors include Upton & Hatfield, Luba Richter Orthodontics, Lakes Region Fence, Concord Dance Academy, Cobblestone Flowers & Gifts, Freese & Bengston Family Dentistry, Susie and Gary York, Sulloway & Hollis, Flood, Sheehan & Tobin, Vermette Orthodontics, RB Productions and Merrimack County Savings Bank.