It’s fun watching a musical about high school kids, played by high school kids.
And it’s even more fun when the romantic leads are real-life high school sweethearts.
Unless… you are the sweethearts.
“It’s a little harder, more awkward. It feels like p.d.a.,” said Morristown High School junior Jeremy Palmer, who plays Danny — the role immortalized onscreen by John Travolta — in this weekend’s school production of Grease.
“Yeah, p.d.a.,” echoed senior Maddie Humphrey, who has the Olivia Newton-John role, Sandy.
They’re not talking about personal digital assistants, either. (Anyone remember those?)
“Public displays of affection,” the couple explained in unison, after a dress rehearsal that had senior citizens dancing in the aisles of the MHS auditorium.
This is a family-friendly, made-for-schools version of the ’50s-themed musical. It blends elements of the Broadway smash from the early ’70s with hit tunes added to the 1978 film (Summer Nights, You’re the One That I Want).
What you won’t see this weekend are any references to smoking, drinking, or a pregnancy scare by the Betty Rizzo character (played with panache by senior Camille Bourland), said Director Zachary Mazouat.
This is Mazouat’s fourth production at MHS (after The Man Who Came to Dinner, Seussical and Our Town), and each has brought its own unique challenges. A Seussical dancer, for example, hoofed on a broken leg last year, while the star fought off the flu.
For Grease, the biggest obstacles came from Mother Nature, aimed at Music Director Skip Yingling and his pit band. Monday afternoons were their scheduled rehearsal days… but winter virtually wiped Mondays off the school calendar.
“We didn’t get to rehearse until after Presidents Day,” Yingling said. Somehow, it all came together. “They’re a very good band,” Yingling said.
Laura Amatulli also has done some nice work as costume supervisor (Maddie Humphrey has seven wardrobe changes during the show), with a hand from senior Alanna Beneroff.
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Casting always is critical, and Mazouat said he had to forget about the iconic movie when auditioning actors for the lead roles.
“The first thing was to get a clear picture of Sandy. Do we want a sweet voice, or a loud, belty voice?” said the director.
He went for sweet.
“Maddie, the tone of her voice is perfect for what we wanted for Sandy. The purity of her tone stands out,” said Mazouat, noting that his female star plans to study music this fall at New York University.
And Palmer, who sings in a band with fellow cast member Nick Slackman (who plays Kenickie), fit the bill nicely for Danny.
“Jeremy has a nice, rock-star voice. And he’s a great dancer,” the director said.
Palmer dyed his hair black for the role, but otherwise, said he tried to avoid any screen comparisons. “I wasn’t trying to be John Travolta,” he said.
Humphrey, who has been dating Palmer since they appeared in Smile two years ago, said she too had to unlearn the movie, to satisfy the directing team.
“They hated how Olivia (Newton-John) sang Hopelessly Devoted,” she said with a smile.
And there is an important difference between her co-star boyfriend and the Grease character he portrays.
In real life, Humphrey said, “he’s not a jerk.”
Showtimes are 7:30 pm on Friday, March 27, 2015, and Saturday, March 28, with a 2 pm matinee on Sunday, March 29. Tickets are available online and cost $11 for adults, $6 for students and seniors. The school is at 50 Early Street.
i love it