Scotts Valley High School is getting set for hot rods, leather jackets and poodle skirts as the spring production of “Grease” approaches its April 20 premiere.
The familiar musical boasts a cast of 47 students and follows the antics and romantic exploits of a group of teenagers in the 1950s at the fictional Rydell High School.
The production is the first foray into musical productions for Scotts Valley High drama teacher and director Naomi Rollins, who took over the theater department at the beginning of the school year.
“I wanted to do a show everyone knew,” she said. “‘Grease’ was my first favorite show.”
Helping Rollins lead her young thespians are veteran musical director Arindam Krishna Das and choreographer Shannon Marie Kerr.
“I stole them both from (San Lorenzo Valley High School),” Rollins said, laughing.
The show features senior Zack Gorski as greaser Danny Zuko and Blaire Ward as Sandy, two summer flames who try to rekindle their relationship despite their differing social circles.
“It’s a good, challenging role,” Gorski said. “It’s really fun playing the two sides of Danny Zuko — the softy and the badass.”
Ward said that Sandy, the shy girl who falls for Zuko’s bad-boy charms, was a change from the outgoing characters she had played before.
“It’s a challenging role, because she’s timid and not outspoken,” Ward said. “Sandy’s much more calm than I am.”
She said the role was her first lead in a musical — and one she’d always wanted.
“It’s been my dream to be in this play ever since I was little,” she said.
Aside from Rollins, Das and Kerr, the production is a student-driven affair, with senior Scott Boynton leading the set design and sophomore Layne Ahlstrom designing costumes.
“It’s really fun seeing it all come together,” Ahlstrom said of her first experience as costume director.
Rollins said she had enjoyed seeing the young actors have fun as they settled into their roles.
“I wanted to do a show the kids would be into,” she said. “I think they can relate to a lot of these characters.”
With a week to go before the curtain rises, the cast and crew is putting in late nights running dress rehearsals and putting the finishing touches on the set pieces.
Rollins said she looked forward to seeing her charges in action.
“It’s a crowd pleaser,” she said. “It’s a fun, raucous show.”
The show will run three weekends, with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and a 2 p.m. matinee on Sundays. The final performance is scheduled for May 6.
Tickets — $10 for students and $12 for general admission — can be bought online at www.showtix4u.com.
