NCCT Presents its 27th Annual Teen Production February 28, 29 & March 1, 2020 Support provided by The Byrne Foundation and The Brundage Foundation Director: Lanni Luce West Music Director: Jane Woods Choreographer: Susan Lamontagne Cast: Over 50 talented Upper Valley teens! Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey “Grease” is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. Director's Message When the teens announced they were doing Grease, I was instantly pulled into turmoil. For one, I grew up on this musical. Its music causes full family sing-alongs with choreographed dance moves. Memories of my time on stage as Rizzo still bring a smile to my face. But a lot has changed in the world these past few years, and I was quite aware of looking at Grease through the lens of the #MeToo movement so I decided to do some research. What I found was fascinating and helped me approach this show with a different mindset. Jim Jacobs wrote this story about his own high school experiences in the late 1950s. He and Warren Casey wanted to show the complexities and stereotypes of working-class teenagers and how the world was changing going in to the 60s. The characters in this show were ahead of their time; pushing the envelope and testing the boundaries that had been set by the adults in their world. If you put this show in that context, you will hopefully see what I see: The style of music is rock and roll; in 1959 this type of music was frowned upon by many parents. There are only 2 songs that intentionally don’t fit that genre: The Alma Mater and It’s Raining on Prom Night. Sandy doesn’t change for Danny, she simply becomes more herself. Throughout the show you will see moments of true strength of character for Sandy. She is more than just a “good girl,” so in the end she says “goodbye to Sandra Dee” in order to become more of who she truly is. Danny liked Sandy before she ever “changes.” In fact, he changes first, joining the track team. These two liked each other before the expectations of others messed it up. In the end, yes, he thinks she looks good, but more importantly he is thankful that she is giving him another shot. It is important to point out the five incredibly unique female characters in this show who all have their own insecurities, strengths, and personalities. The Pink Ladies are flawed, but they accept that in each other and have a bond that has nothing to do with boys. There are very few shows that have such strong female characters. Researching Grease, I found myself more and more excited to dive into these characters and to work closely with the teens. This is not the Grease you remember from the movie. The musical is darker, a little raunchier, and more edgy. We could just as easily be looking back on the teenagers of 2020, and thinking they too were on the cusp of a revolution. This is their statement to the world - never be apologetic for who you are. – Lanni Luce West About Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey JIM JACOBS (Book, Music and Lyrics). Jacobs, who created Grease (in 1970) with Warren Casey, was born and raised on the mean streets of Chicago’s far northwest side. During the golden era of rock ‘n’ roll (1956- 1960) he was a guitar-playing “greaser” student at Taft High School. In 1963, Jacobs met Warren Casey when they were both cast in a local theatre production of A Shot in the Dark. Seven years later they wrote what was to become one of the greatest musicals of all time. Grease opened in 1971 in a former trolley barn called the Kingston Mines Theatre in Chicago. A year later, Grease made it to Broadway and “Greasemania” took off, resulting in one of the longest running shows in Broadway history. The 1978 movie became and remains the highest grossing movie musical of all time. Originally an actor, Jacobs has been seen on television, in motion pictures, regional theatre, national tours, and on Broadway. He is the co-author of several other plays and musicals including Island of Lost Coeds, a musical spoof of the low budget sci-fi/horror/jungle movies of the 1950s, which he wrote with Warren Casey. In May 2014, Mr. Jacobs was presented with an honorary doctorate degree from Columbia College in Chicago. He currently resides in Southern California and remains active in the theatre, especially with the American Theatre Company of Chicago. WARREN CASEY (Author, Composer and Lyricist) was born in Yonkers, New York, and attended Syracuse University. During the late ‘50s, he learned all about “greasers” while working as an art teacher in upstate New York. He moved to Chicago in 1962, where he hoped to pursue an acting career. He appeared in dozens of productions, including creating the role of Bernie Litko in David Mamet’s Sexual Perversity in Chicago. He supported himself with jobs in retail, including working as an assistant manager of a chain of apparel stores, and as a record salesman. In the meantime, he taught himself how to play the guitar and began writing songs. Mr. Casey acted with the Chicago Stage Guild (where he met Jim Jacobs), the Old Town Players, and the Kinston Mines Theatre. The latter company staged the original production of GREASE which he wrote with Jim Jacobs. After the incredible success of both the musical and the movie, the two collaborated on Island of Lost Coeds, a musical satire of the B-movies of the 1950s. Mr. Casey died in 1988. Special Thanks Underwriters The Byrne Foundation The Brundage Foundation Show Supporters Thank you for providing us with a place to rehearse! Lebanon Ballet School Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church Show Friends Hartford High School Many Roads Counseling Northern Stage Mia Sentman Unifirst Stave Puzzles Veracka’s Auto Wilson Tire Thank you for donating supplies, helpers, and space for our production! to our Teen Angels for supporting Grease Sponsors ($250 - 499) The Nadeau Family The Rushton Family Patrons ($100 - 249) John & Jennifer Randolph in honor of performer Kaia Randolph George and Michele Caccavaro Jennifer Carter Jolene Carter-King Matthew Fulton The Gallagher Family Gretchen Holm and Jim Atkinson The Oxenham Family The Pidgeon Family The White Family Friends ($50 - 99) Judith and James Bernat The Cassell Family Kim and Scott Genzer Tom & Paula Gray Margaret Hunton The Langhus Family Leah Romano Supporters ($25 - 49) Grammie and Gramma Clark The Mello Family Production Staff Director …………………………………………... Lanni Luce West Choreographer………………....................... Susan Lamontagne Music Director…………………………………..…..... Jane Woods Production Manager…………………………….….. Amye Mason Costumer…………………………………..…… Lori Daigle Mather Graphic Designer/Ad Sales…………………………... Amy Fortier Lighting Designer……………....………….……….. Craig Mowery Make-Up and Hair Designer………………….... Meredith Alvarez Props Master………………………………………. Emma Hadden Set Designer………………………………………… Craig Mowery Set Construction ……………………………... Simple Scenic LLC Sound Designer.……………………………….….. Seth Stoddard Stage Manager………………………………………… Alecia Roy Technical Director ………………………………….. Craig Mowery Tech Crew: Aiden Bettwieser, Alexa Bonenfant, Theresa Calandrella, Andrew Landry, Kenzie Leuthauser, Zoe Martin, Anna Mazur, Sadie Mielcarz, Hannah Read, Ethan Sullivan-Dupuis Teen Advisors: Andrew Carmichael, Amy Fortier, Emma Hadden, Amy Roy, Peggy Stone Other Staff & Volunteers* Assistant to the Choreographer………………….......Chris Lamontagne Audition Pianist…………………….………………................ Da-Shih Hu Between Shows Meal Coordinator..…......................... Jaqueline Carter Cabaret Chair………………………................................... Peggy Stone Cabaret Helpers: Kim Genzer, Jen Langhus, Jeff Meyer-Lorentson, Tina Nadeau, Jessica Rushton, Ziggy Wood, Michael Zerphy Cast Photo Display Photographer ……………….....Isabelle Ackerman Cast Photo Display Creator……………………..………….... Ann Kynor Dance Captain……………….... Julie Sentman and Madison Giberson Greased Lightening “Mechanic”…..………….... Ethan Sullivan-Dupuis Guys with Pies Donations: Aurora Bakery, Brownsville Butcher and Pantry, Dazzle Cupcakes, Hartland Diner, Lou’s, Claire Palmer, Umpleby’s, Windsor Station Costume Support….……………………Judi Daigle and Mariah Mather Candygram Coordinator………………………………………. Erin Clark Flower Coordinator…………………………………….………. Sara Tally Make-Up/Hair Helpers: Darcy Bagley, Carole Lang, Valerie Major, Laura Santana, Mia Sentman Pancake Breakfast Coordinator……………………………….. Amy Roy Pancake Breakfast Helpers: Karen Carter, Joe Cheevers, Erin Clark, Colleen Deschamp, Lisa Elder, Adam Fisk, Cindy Gallagher, John & Tammy Hanchett, Paula & Mark Roux, Robert Zimnick and everyone who donated supplies! Photography…………………….………………...............Evan Oxenham Raffle Basket Coordinator…………………………..……..…Paula Roux Load In/Set Building: George Caccavaro, Julie Davis, Marianne & Lee Densmore, Matthew Fungi, Emma Hadden, Chris & Noah Lamontagne, Jeff Meyer-Lorentson, Ken Munsey, Tina & Nils Nadeau, Amy Roy, James Rushton, Tiger Stanley, Miles Sturges, Robert Zimnick Senior Center Invitations.……………………………………... Lisa Elder *known at the time of this printing Thank you to all the parents & others who lent a hand whenever a hand was needed - chauffeuring teens/working backstage/helping with fundraisers/donating time, talent, and treasure. Production Staff Bios Lanni Luce West (Director) started with the NCCT Teen Program as the assistant director for On the Town. She has since directed all of the teen shows, including Once on This Island, Footloose, and Crazy for You. Lanni started acting at the age of 6 and directing at the age of 18. She is honored and privileged to be the director of Lake George YOUTHEATRE, a four week summer theatre workshop for students ages 11-18, where she has directed over 60 musicals. She has also been lucky enough to direct for Trumbull Hall Troupe for the past three years, including the most recent production of Newsies, and this was her first year as the director for the Hartford High School musical, Addams Family. While directing teenagers is her favorite thing in the world, you might have also seen her on stage at Pentangle for the Arts or Shaker Bridge Theatre. When not in a theater, you can find her teaching fourth grade at the amazing Dothan Brook School in Hartford School District.