Getting Ready for Grease Opening Night

March 3, 2023

Academics

GNS

For some, acting and singing have only been a one-year experience and for others, they have done it for their whole lives or as, as they put it, for as long as they “were old enough to speak.”

A few of the cast members have taken some time out of their busy schedules to answer questions about their roles in Grease.

How do you feel about performing in Grease and your character?

Kylie Chow ’24 (Ms. Lynch): “My character, Ms. Lynch, is a stern ‘old maid’ English teacher. When I act as her, I need to put her tone into my voice, which I don’t normally have. However, it’s quite entertaining for me because I get to strut around the stage acting all teacher-like. Overall, acting in Grease is amazing. My mum’s always liked the film, so acting in something I knew before starting the production is a great experience!”

Rebecca Palm ’23 (Patty): “Grease has always been one of the shows I’ve seen and wanted to be in. The energy is so upbeat which translates very effectively to our lovely cast, and the aesthetic of the 50s was super fun to cultivate through the costumes, dialogue, and sometimes outdated lines or beliefs. I play Patty Simcox, who could be interpreted as the villain of the show, but I see her as just a bubbly and passive-aggressive icon! On a more personal note, I’ve never played a more antagonistic role before, so this was really interesting to explore, especially in interactions with Sandy and Danny.”

Sophie Davies ’24 (Eugene): “I’ve always been a fan of the movie Grease, so being able to perform in it, while learning all the iconic dances and songs is kind of surreal. I play the character of Eugene, a gullible nerd who’s honestly just trying his best. Playing him is a really good time because you can truly take it to the extreme for comedic effect, and I’ve never played a character like him prior to this performance.”

Iris Thompson-Chang ’25 (Sandy): “I first watched Grease when I was 10, and it quickly became a favourite. To get to play a lead in this show is an honour, and I’m having the time of my life. Grease is one of those musicals where everything feels a bit like a fever dream, and it’s fun to get to sink into the outrageous characters and plot, and just have fun with it.”

What do you like about it? Why?

Maddy Kelly ’23 (Marty): “I love singing and being on stage performing and doing what I am most passionate about. Feeling the energy from the audience is so exhilarating, not to mention that I’m naturally a bit of a drama queen and I love talking. Honestly being on stage is less scary for me than most, and especially once I’m up there it just clicks and I know what to do.”

Kylie: “I enjoy acting as a different character, the community that theatre is, and getting to perform!”

Rebecca: “I LOVE theatre for so, so many reasons! Most applicable to my life, it’s really been a way for me to grow confidence both in myself as a person and as a performer. Being in both theatre as a class and in plays and musicals has allowed me to become close friends with incredible and talented people in other grades who I wouldn’t have gotten to know otherwise. It has also allowed me to develop this passion for the performing arts, which brings me great joy.”

Sophie: “I love the weeks leading up to the performance when it all really starts to come together. Even though tension and stress levels are through the roof, you know from the rush of performing live that the payoff is going to be amazing.”

Iris: “I have been a part of several plays and musicals with the school. I love theatre because you get the chance to forget about everything that might be going on in your life, or in the world, and immerse yourself in a different world for a while. I have loved singing since I can remember, so getting to combine music and theatre is the best!”

How long have you been doing Theatre/Drama?

Maddy: “I’ve been doing theatre since I was 11 and musical theatre since I was 12 or 13-ish, I can’t really remember. I’ve also done choir since I was old enough to speak.”

Kylie: “I’ve only been doing theatre for a year now. This is my third production. GNS was the school that encouraged me to start!”

Rebecca: “I have been doing theatre at GNS since Grade 6 when I came to the school which was the same year I was in my first musical at the school, Alice in Wonderland! I did some musicals at my summer camp in previous years but nothing major before this opportunity.”

Sophie: “I’ve been doing theatre productions since Grade 4, when my school did Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, so about seven years. Ever since then, I try to do at least one production every year at GNS.”

Iris: “I joined GNS in Grade 7, and since then I have been a part of the GNS theatre class.”

Have you ever performed in similar plays/musicals?

Maddy: “I always wanted to do Grease so I was super excited about this production! I know the message it gives isn’t the best but you have to admit it is a funny show with some great and iconic music. One show that I participated in was 13: The Musical and it was also set in high school and gave off very similar vibes to Grease. I’ve also done Pippi Longstocking which was sort of similar, but definitely less well known.”

Kylie: “The only ones I’ve performed in so far are Mamma Mia and The Farnsworth Invention, and I don’t think they’re super similar. Mamma Mia and Grease both have absolutely wonderful sets though!”

Rebecca: “Last year, I was Sophie in Mamma Mia, which I think had a similar comedic and upbeat vibe to Grease. Both shows have been a blast to learn and (will be!) to perform in.”

Sophie: “No, nothing I’ve done in the past feels similar to performing in Grease. They all felt like they had people that you could find in your day-to-day life. But Grease feels like a whole other universe. I would describe it as a fever dream, but in a good way.”

What are you looking forward to in the play?

Maddy: “I’m really excited to see what the audience thinks, and I’m also looking forward to just being back on stage singing. I play a smaller character named Marty but I have a cute little solo so keep your eyes open folks.”

Kylie: “I’m of course looking forward to opening night! I tend to stay at school for at least 12 hours every day of the opening week so it’ll be a big time commitment, but it’s always worth it.”

Rebecca: “I always enjoy learning the dances for the musical, but this year has been especially exciting with lots of fun dance numbers. The 50s style of music and choreography was super entertaining and one of my favourite parts of the process. More seriously, I was really compelled to discuss as a cast how we could present Grease in a today-appropriate fashion, and many of the beginning rehearsals were spent reflecting on the way in which we wanted the characters to interact.”

Sophie: “I’m really looking forward to everyone being able to see the choreography for the large dance scenes. Having one of the scenes literally take place at a dance contest means that the choreography is a little upped from previous years, and Andrea (our choreographer) has done an amazing job. I can’t wait for that all to come together live!”

Iris: “I’m super excited to perform in Grease, and I think everyone, both on-stage and off, is going to have a great time!”

The cast members are extremely excited and look forward to the performance nights. Audiences are encouraged to buy their tickets now through Eventbrite.

Performances will run on March 8, 9 and 10 at 7 p.m. and on March 11 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students/seniors. Tickets sold through Eventbrite will be subject to a small service fee. This fee will not be applied to tickets sold at the door prior to each performance. Parent Advisory: contains moments of brief cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption; some mild language.