'Grease' at North Mason

North Mason High School Theatre presents "Grease" at 7 p.m. on the Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays of May 18, 19 and 20, and June 1, 2 and 3, at the school in Belfair. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for ASB members and children aged 12 years and younger.

North Mason High School Drama Club adviser Hilary Gennaro said "Grease" is "a rather expensive and large production, so it is often difficult for smaller schools like North Mason to produce," but fortunately, this year saw "a wonderful growth spurt" in the school theater program, which added more than enough auditionees to cast both the show and the pit musicians.

"With Olivia Newton-John passing away (last summer), it also seems a fitting tribute," Gennaro said. "This is a show that continues to appeal to multiple generations of playgoers, and many students have been requesting it for years."

Gennaro described the production as "a collaborative technical and artistic process," that takes "hundreds of additional hours" outside of the school day to complete and coordinate.

"From the two-story set we built to the smallest school pennant hanging on the wall, everything you see comes essentially from nothing, even Greased Lightning," Gennaro said.

Gennaro said one of the most challenging aspects of this production has been getting the large set built, and "Greased Lightning," the car, completed.

"The technical aspects of the show are intense," Gennaro said. "However, we are making it work with the incredible commitment and talents of our entire team. The most rewarding thing has been the way this play has brought so many people together. It has generated significant community interest as well."

Gennaro hopes audiences will come away from this year's production of "Grease" with "a stronger idea of how valuable performing arts programs are" for students.

"In the 21st century, the technical, public speaking, leadership and artistic skills our students learn and utilize are unparalleled," Gennaro said. "Perhaps even more importantly, they develop a strong community of friendship and support that often pushes these kids to develop long-term goals and envision a future they may not have otherwise imagined possible."

Among the student actors, Lux Ellis, who plays Rizzo, and Kayleb Galbraith, who plays Kenickie, researched how previous performers had portrayed their characters, with Ellis carefully considering Rizzo's interior character, while Galbraith looked up contemporary slang from the era in which "Grease" is set.

"I find it fascinating how Rizzo puts on a different personality in front of others," Ellis said. "She presents a really judgy attitude, when really there's a lot more to her that she hides away. It reminds me a lot of myself, which is part of the reason I love playing this role."

Likewise, Galbraith observed of Kenickie that, "although not really shown, he still feels strong emotions towards some other characters."

Both young actors praised their castmates and the production as a whole, with Ellis lauding how all the students are "truly dedicated to the show," and Galbraith appreciates how "Grease" is "an overall fun musical," that allows audiences to revel in "crazy high school days, with crazy high school hijinks."

Gennaro said, "This isn't just a theater group; it's more like a family. They all get along with each other, as a group and individually. They also agreed that everyone in the cast is super creative, and it shows in the set and props."

Author Bio

Kirk Boxleitner, Reporter

Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
[email protected]