'Grease' Is the Word at Saucon Valley This Weekend

Do you remember these lyrics?

"You better shape up, cause I need a man, 
and my heart is set on you 
You better shape up, you better understand,
to my heart I must be true 
Nothing left, nothing left for me to do..." *

If so, you'll probably want to grab your poodle skirt and bobby socks and get ready to party, because Grease is coming to Saucon Valley High School this weekend.

The show is being directed by Sal Ritz, Producing Director of Fine Arts at Saucon Valley, and choreographed by Ann Marie Squerrini. The two have worked together for more than 20 years and bring much experience to the staging of this year's spring musical. They were able to secure the rights to the music from the movie for Saucon Valley's production, and said the cast will be able to interact with the audience, giving them the opportunity to sing along.

Ritz said Grease was chosen to be this year's spring musical in an effort to build up the theater program at the high school. Over the years the number of students interested in theater has dwindled, and the excitement over this production has brought new faces to rehearsals, he said.

One theatrical newcomer who will be performing in Grease is Patrick Kane, who plays Danny Zucko, the leader of the T-Birds. Patrick is a senior and a member of both the football and baseball teams. Playing Danny marks Patrick’s first role in theater and has turned out to be a lot of fun and a great decision, he explained. When asked about how his teammates reacted to his decision to do drama, Patrick said "a lot wish they had done plays themselves."

According to Ritz, deciding to join the cast of Grease was a great decision that has led to a whole new group of friends and experiences for Patrick. Although it's often known to happen, students “shouldn’t have to separate themselves from the arts just because they are athletes, especially guys,” Ritz said.

The role of Sandy is being played by sophomore Kelsey Payung, who quit basketball to try out for the play--a risk that has paid off for her in a big way. Kelsey said playing Sandy is “easier than I thought it would be.... On stage I’ll be shy or have stage fright and it is OK because Sandy is quiet and shy.”

Overall, the Grease cast is comprised of 54 students, including four eighth grade boys who were invited to join the production and get an early start in high school theater. A number of high school staff and administration members, as well as teachers, are also getting into the act by performing as extras. Be sure to look for Principal Eric Kahler, Assistant Principal Lorie Gamble, Athletic Director Bob Frey and math teacher Lisa Allen among others wearing classic '50s fashions and performing onstage.

In Grease, the fact that the kids are playing characters who happen to be high school students works in their favor, Ritz said. In many cases, he added, the students involved in this year's production have known each other for years, and were already comfortable with one another before they ever auditioned. For example, the girls playing the “Pink Ladies” have been together since middle school, he said.

“They are the Pink Ladies of the show," Ritz noted. "The...friendship they bring to the show is natural in delivery and comedy.” Ritz added that even though they're playing a group of 'bad' girls in the production, in reality the young women portraying the Pink Ladies are some of the nicest teens he's worked with.

Show times are Thursday, March 3; Friday, March 4; and Saturday, March 5 at 7:30pm; and Sunday, March 6 at 2pm. Tickets are $8 for students and senior citizens, and $10 for adults.

Tickets are available in advance at on Main Street in Hellertown. General admission tickets will be sold at the door for every performance.

* Saucon Valley School District Fine Arts and Saucon Valley High School present Grease. Book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, with additional music from the 1978 movie "Grease" provided with arrangement with Robert Stigwood.