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'Grease' Hits Stage At River Ridge High

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By CHERYL BENTLEY, The Suncoast News

Published: November 1, 2007

NEW PORT RICHEY - A student theater production will evoke the smell of leather jackets, the sound of 1950s rock 'n' roll and the taste of a first kiss.

The River Ridge High School drama department will present the classic musical 'Grease' from Friday through Sunday at the Center for the Arts at River Ridge, 11646 Town Center Road.

'You are guaranteed to feel like you are back in the '50s all over again,' said drama teacher and director Diana Rogers. 'The show is endearing and nostalgic of the high school years ... and appeals to all ages.'

The musical is centered on the romance of vulnerable tough guy Danny Zuko, leader of the T-Birds, and straight-laced new-girl-in-town Sandy Dumbrowski at Rydell High in Chicago in 1959. Danny will be played by Brandon Mauro, and Briana Suojanen will appear as Sandy.

Written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, the show opened on Broadway in 1972 and ran for a then record-breaking 3,388 performances.

'Grease' also is a current smash at London's Piccadilly Theatre.

The film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as Danny and Sandy brought the story and music to an even wider audience in 1978.

In addition to Travolta, other actors who have played Danny over the years include Richard Gere, Barry Bostwick, Treat Williams and Patrick Swayze.

Rosie O'Donnell, Adrienne Barbeau, Stockard Channing (in the movie version) and Lucy Lawless have portrayed Betty Rizzo, leader of the Pink Ladies gang.

Performances are at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday at the performing arts venue on the River Ridge campus. Tickets are $10 for all shows except for the Saturday matinee, which is $6. To reserve tickets call (727) 372-9361, or buy them starting an hour before curtain time at the box office.

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