Youth Summer Theatre Travels Back in Time with "Grease"

Lexington Youth Summer Theatre (LYST) transformed Grace Chapel into a world of Elvis, "I Love Lucy," and the hand-jive July 22 to 24.

Director duo Lewis and Dorene Blair, along with a cast of 60 local children, ages 8 to 17, and an army of parent volunteers, marked LYST's 30th anniversary with the musical "Grease," exploring the ups and downs of teenagers in the 1950s through rousing songs and dance numbers.

With the first four rows reserved for children under 10, spectators filled the seats at Friday night's show. Grace Chapel's two big television screens played images from the 1950s, including advertisements for a "waffle baker" and "Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate." 

The orchestra, off to the side, included Jill Olson on piano, Kevin Cho on tenor sax, Matt Lovett on guitar, Gabe Orduna on bass, Ben Dicke on percussion and Yitzhak Maurer on keyboards.

Audience members seemed to know and love "Grease." They cheered as the Thunderbirds — Danny, played by Jacob Damsky; Kenickie, played by David DeLuca; Sonny, played by Noah Virgile; Doody, played by Daniel Akimchuk; and Putzie, played by Michael Amirault — ran on stage in motorcycle jackets.

The Thunderbirds danced with the Pink Ladies — Marty, played by Lindsey Moran; Jan, played by Laura Moraff; Rizzo, played by Cody Mulliner; and Frenchy, played by Jamie Goldberg — on Rydell High's first day of school.  As Akimchuk wrapped up "Those Magic Changes," he was greeted with enthusiastic applause.  For "Greased Lightning," cast and crew rolled out a car from the back of the auditorium.

At a recent rehearsal for the show, the Blairs had hinted that this year's "Grease" would combine elements from 1957 and 2010, while also celebrating LYST's own past and present.

True to the Blairs' word, LYST's "Grease" played host to frequent reflections on the then and now. Throughout the evening, the screens provided definitions of, among others, "pep rally," "American Bandstand" and "soda fountain shops," courtesy of Mr. Cushing's 2010 history class. Many of these aspects of the 1950s are foreign to the current generation.

However, the core themes of "Grease" remain relevant to teenagers today.  Regarding romantic relationships, career choices, and societal expectations, teenagers face the same issues today. 

When Alyssa Bene's Sandy reunited with Damsky's Danny, Danny succumbed to peer pressure in front of his buddies, pretending he was "too cool" to remember Sandy well. When the two finally reconciled and went out on a date to a drive-in movie, Danny made advances that upset Sandy, and they separated again.

Goldberg's Frenchy faced a different kind of frustration, when beauty school wasn't quite what she expected.  Prompted by two Teen Angels — Caroline Carreras and Emily Tan — she returned to Rydell. Rizzo, portrayed by Mulliner, fended off pity after realizing she may be pregnant, singing "There Are Worse Things I Could Do."

However, everything turned out fine in the end. With a joyous "You're the One That I Want," characters re-cemented friendships, received good news, reaffirmed life goals, and, most importantly, graduated from high school. 

The finished "Greased Lightning" car, brightly polished, sat on the stage. The chapel's television screens reflected on the differences between graduation in the 1950s and graduation today, noting, "Kids went off to very different futures than they do today." Reflecting this, Rizzo and Kenickie headed for the altar; two Thunderbirds left to fight in the Vietnam War.

After the cast gave their bows, the Blairs handed out awards to two who will be "graduating" from LYST: Damsky and DeLuca. The directors received bouquets for their efforts.

 This year, proceeds from the LYST performance of "Grease" will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Room to Read and the National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases Association.