‘It’s high school kids playing high school kids’
Published 9:00 am Sunday, November 13, 2016
- From left, Heather Wirkus, as Rizzo; Camryn Keyeski, as Marty; Liana Schallock, as Frenchy; and Natalie Weiland, as Jan, perform during a rehearsal for “Grease” at Albert Lea High School. - Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
Albert Lea High School students will perform ‘Grease’ musical
A popular production is coming to the Albert Lea High School stage this week.
Co-directed by Lilah Aas and Diane Heaney, students will perform “Grease” at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 through Nov. 19 in the school auditorium.
Aas, who directed the same musical with her husband in 1988, said practices began at the end of September, and 50 students have been a part of the production — 48 of whom will be on stage.
Justine Nelson and Sam Ehrhardt act out a scene as Sandy Dumbrowski and Danny Zuko for the upcoming presentation of “Grease” at Albert Lea High School. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
Aas said the musical is fast-paced and is a lot of fun, both for the student actors and the audience.
“One of the good things about it is it’s high school kids playing high school kids,” she said.
It includes a similar storyline as the movie with the same title, though there are some differences, she said. Some of the characters have different singing roles than presented in the movie version, which allows for more of the actors to have solos.
“’Grease’ is just a really fun musical to do,” said senior Justine Nelson, who plays Sandy Dumbrowski. “It’s fun to see kids you know transform themselves.”
Some of the others playing in the musical are Sam Ehrhardt as Dannny Zuko, Heather Wirkus as Betty Rizzo, Jack Buendorf as Kenicke and Liana Schallock as Frenchy, to name a few. See the cast list with this article for the full listing.
Jack Buendorf, center, rehearses his role of Kenicke in “Grease” at Albert Lea High School. – Sarah Stultz/Albert Lea Tribune
Aas said the musical is expected to be about two hours with an intermission.
Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students. Tickets are available at the door or at the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Nelson said students hope to have a full house each night of the performances.
Tickets, please
What: “Grease”
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 17-19
Where: Albert Lea High School auditorium
How much: $7 for adults and $5 for seniors and students, purchased at the Albert Lea CVB and at the door
“Grease” cast list
Miss Lynch: Emily Wangen
Patty Simcox: Jessica Weiland
Eugene Florczyk: Brayden Boettcher
Jan: Natalie Weiland
Marty: Camryn Keyeski
Betty Rizzo: Heather Wirkus
Doody: Josh Englin
Roger: Travis Nemec
Kenicke: Jack Buendorf
Sonny LaTierri: Logan Petersen
Frenchy: Liana Schallock
Sandy Dumbrowski: Justine Nelson
Danny Zuko: Sam Ehrhardt
Vince Fontaine: Noah Iverson
Johnny Casino: Aaron Zogg
Cha- Cha Digregorio: Riley Jimenez
Teen Angel: Ryan Nelson
Student director: Katie Boettcher
Teenagers ensemble: Dane Brownlow, Kailey Christensen*, Natalie Day*, Mackenzie Deyo, Sydney Doran, Alexandra Eckstrom, Matthew Edwards, Maggie Eggum, Ethan Eriksmoen, Charley Fleek, Olivia Goodmanson, Jarrod Guildner, Noah Hanson, Logan Howe, William Kreun, Audrey Laite*, Jens Lange, Jacob Leal, Maggie Moller, Cali Mowers*, Natalie Nafzger*, Kyle Nelson, Wyatt Reed, Maddie Schei*, Carley Talamantes, Alexis Tasker*, Bethany Tennis*, Alec Wendelboe, Noah Wiese, Maddie Willey*, Terri Wolfe*, Jeorge Brinda, Dane Duenes
* Indicates Teen Angel Chorus
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