Arts & Entertainment
Bloomfield High School Fires Up Grease Lightning
BHS students put their own musical twist on lovable classic, earning them Patch's Whiz Kids of the Week honors.
Grease is the original high school musical that everyone knows and loves, and who better to put on the hit Broadway play than real high school kids?
showcased talented students in this weekend’s production of Grease, which showed February 24-27.
Kathleen McGrath and Nasir Mallette, who played lovebirds Sandy and Danny, led the cast with superb performances. McGrath’s sweet but powerful voice captured the innocence of Sandy’s character, with help of a bright blonde wig. Mallette brought swagger to his role as Danny, a conflicted teenager who desires to be cool all while dating the girl of his dreams.
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With the addition of classic songs like “Freddy My Love”and “Mooning,” the T-Birds and Pink Ladies showed off their '50s dance moves and strong vocals. Jeremy Medina, playing Doody, rocked the number “Those Magic Changes” during which he wooed the ladies of Rydell.
The cameo appearance of Teen Angel, played by Jarred Lee, was the definite favorite performance of the night. The audience gave the BHS sophomore standing ovations and screams after he aced the high notes in “Beauty School Dropout” with style.
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The ladies of the cast shined with great belting voices. Rizzo, played by Kathryn Barbetta, brought serious attitude to the hit song “There Are Worse Things I Could Do,” and McGrath’s voice shined in “You’re the One That I Want,” when Sandy impressed the T-Birds with her new, tough look.
In Act II, the cast kicked on their dancing shoes at the big school dance scene. Miss Lynch, played by Nora Nelepka, cracked up the audience by repeatedly blowing her whistle at the “lewd” dance moves during the “Hand Jive,” choreographed by BHS alumni Chelsea Wright.
The high schoolers pulled out all the stops to get into character under the guidance of director Cormac McGowan, who has directed BHS' winter musical theatre production since 1995.
Seeing Grease live - versus watching the movie - makes you appreciate the live performances in a different way. BHS' show was enhanced by a visually appealing and fast-moving set, designed by Ralph Turano and Brandon Doemling.
McGowan, who also produced the musical, picked Grease as the winter production in anticipation of BHS' Centennial Anniversary on April 16.
