By Rikki Cason<br><a href="mailto:rikki.cason@journal-register.com">E-mail Rikki</a>
ALBION — Take a trip back to the days of rock ’n’ roll, poodle skirts and leather jackets, as Holley High School presents its rendition of “Grease,” the musical. Set in the 1950s, “Grease” will follow the high school love story of Danny and Sandy. Holley students will perform “Grease” at 7 p.m. March 11 through 13, and 2 p.m. March 14.
Director Dan Burke said that he has tried to make this an experience that any student who wanted to could be a part of. He said that on each of the four nights, there will be an almost entirely different cast.
“It gets a lot of kids involved,” Burke said. “It generates a lot of excitement throughout the school.”
Burke said that by doing the shows this way, he has found there isn’t a theater clique.
“It’s amazing how when you put them all together they, all get along,” he said. “When you put them in a show, suddenly those boundaries all melt away. It creates common ground, no matter what their backgrounds are.”
This is Burke’s 19th year directing. His sister, Kellie Burke, is his co-director.
Taking on the lead roles of Danny and Sandy are seniors Anna Bower and Mark Heath. They will be playing the roles on Friday and Saturday night.
“It’s a popular show, so it’s something the audience can all get into, because they know the music and they’re familiar with the dances,” Bower said. “I think it’s a show everyone will enjoy.”
Power and Heath have played opposite each other in lead roles before — in “High School Musical,” “Jesus Christ Superstar” and “Brigadoon.”
“We’re really lucky to be doing this show,” Heath said. “It’s very renowned, so just the name, itself, is going to bring in a lot of tickets. For our senior year, that’s kind of special.”
Though not looking to pursue acting careers, both plan to study music in college.
“I want to go out with a bang,” Bower said. “I definitely want to finish it off with personally — my best performance. I think because of the show and because it’s so popular, it’s kind of easy to do well with.”
For both, taking on such well-known characters has had its challenges.
“People are going to come in here having seen the movie and probably the stage show, so they already have an expectation of what it’s suppose to sound like,” Heath said. “Definitely trying to appeal to that expectation, but at the same time trying to make it your own and put your own personal touch on it is a tricky balance.”
For senior Kaleigh White, playing the role of Frenchy has been more fun than a challenge.
“It’s kind of easy when you can relate to your character,” White said. “She’s so bubbly and so much fun. It’s really easy to play Frenchy.”
Besides acting for the Sunday show, White is one of the dance captains. As one of the lead dancers, she helped choreograph all the numbers in the show.
“I’ve been in the plays since I was in eighth grade,” White said. “It’s just been a great experience, and I loved every minute of it. I just wanted to get a role this year because it was so important because it was my senior role. I wanted to put my all in it and I think I have.”
White said she thinks the audience will enjoy all the big dance numbers that bring everyone together.
“Everybody is on stage doing it, and it’s so full of energy,” she said. “It’s amazing.”
Tickets are $6 in advance or $7 at the door. They can be purchased at the Holley High School office. Senior citizens who live in the Holley Central School District can receive a free ticket with their Gold Card.
Contact reporter Rikki Cason at 798-1400, ext. 8227.
