SYNOPSIS
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Here is Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys’ and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “It’s Raining on Prom Night” and “Alone at the Drive-In Movie,” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation. An eight-year run on Broadway and two subsequent revivals, along with innumerable school and community productions, place Grease among the world’s most popular musicals.
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History
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Grease debuted off-Broadway on February 14, 1972 at the Eden Theatre in New York City. The show transferred to Broadway’s Broadhurst Theatre, and later to the Royale Theatre, closing on April 13, 1980 after a record-breaking 3,388 performances. The film adaptation of Grease premiered in 1978 and became the highest-grossing movie musical of all time. Grease returned to Broadway twice, in a 1994 revival directed and choreographed by Jeff Calhoun and in a 2007 revival directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall.
“A seat-filling crowd pleaser... delivers miles of smiles and a night of nostalgic delight.” – Syracuse.com
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“A lively and funny musical – as well as the dancingest one in town. It's a winner... the songs are dandies... with zip and charm. The sheer energy of Grease carries all before it.” – New York Daily News
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“Perhaps more than any other musical, Grease embodies those seven words most commonly heard in the theater just before the curtain rises: ‘Sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.’” – Syracuse.com
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“A fast-moving period piece that pays affectionate homage to the bittersweet coming-of-age of a group of blue-collar high school kids in the late 1950s.” – Chicago Sun-Times
GREASE - CAST OF CHARACTERS​
DANNY ZUKO: Male, High School Teen (Range: tenor, D4–B5)
The leader of the “Burger Palace Boys”; good-looking, strong and confident, with an air of easy-going charm. Strong and confident.​
SANDY DUMBROWSKI: Female, High School Teen (Range: Soprano, A3–F#5)
New girl in town; sweet, wholesome, naive, cute, and innocent. Danny’s love interest. Sweet, wholesome, naïve, cute, like Sandra Dee of the “Gidget” movies.​
THE “PINK LADIES”: The club-jacketed, gum-chewing, hip-swinging girls’ gang that hangs around with the “Burger Palace Boys.
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BETTY RIZZO: Female, High School Teen (Range: Alto A3–C5)
Leader of the Pink Ladies; tough, sarcastic, and outspoken but vulnerable.
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FRENCHY: Female, High School Teen (Range: Alto, A3-D5)
A dreamer; good-natured but not too smart, she is heavily made up, fussy about her appearance, particularly her hair. She can't wait to finish high school so she can be a beautician.
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MARTY: Female, High School Teen (Range Alto, C4–C5)
The 'beauty' of the Pink Ladies; pretty and looks older than the other girls, but betrays her real age when she opens her mouth. She tries to act sophisticated.
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JAN: Female, High School Teen (Range: Alto, A3-C5)
Funny, loud, compulsive eater, and awkward member of the Pink Ladies. Loud and pushy with the girls, but shy with boys.
THE “BURGER PALACE BOYS”: A super-cool, D.A.-haired, hard-looking group of high school wheeler-dealers… or so they think.​
KENICKIE: Male, High School Teen (Range: Tenor, C4–F5)
The second in command of the “Burger Palace Boys”; tough-looking, tattooed, surly, and avoids any show of softness. He has an offbeat sense of humor.​
DOODY: Male, High School Teen (Range: Tenor, D4-A5)
The youngest of the guys; small, boyish, and open, with a disarming smile and a hero-worshipping attitude towards the other guys. He also plays the guitar.​
ROGER (aka “Rump”): Male, High School Teen (Range: Tenor, D4-A5)
The anything-for-a-laugh stocky type of boy; a clown who enjoys winding people up, he is full of mischief and is always dreaming up half-baked schemes and ideas.​
SONNY LATIERRI: Male, High School Teen (Range: baritone, G3–A5)
A member of the “Burger Palace Boys”; funny Italian-American, he is a braggart and wheeler-dealer who thinks he's a real lady-killer.
PATTY SIMCOX: Female, High School Teen (Range: Alto, D4-A4)
A typical cheerleader at a middle-class American public high school. Attractive, athletic, sure-of-herself, but can be given to bursts of disconcerting enthusiasm. She's a bit of a pain and unpopular with the Pink Ladies, and (ideally) can twirl a baton.​
CHA-CHA, aka CHARLENE, DIGREGORIO: Female, High School Teen (Range: Alto, C4–C5)
A Blind date. Slovenly, loud-mouthed and takes pride in being the best dancer at St. Bernadette's; she wins the dancing competition with Danny.
EUGENE FLORCZYK: Male, High School Teen (Range: Tenor, A3–E5)
The class valedictorian; physically awkward, with weak eyes and a high-pitched voice. He's a typical 'apple-polisher' - both smug and pompous, but gullible.
VINCE FONTAINE: Male, High School Teen (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible)
A typical 'teen audience' disc jockey; slick, egotistical and fast-talking. He is also a veteran 'Greaser.'
JOHNNY CASINO: Male, High School Teen (Range: Tenor, G4-E5)
All-American, rock-star “greaser” student at Rydell High, whose real name is Clarence. Likes to think of himself as a real rock ‘n’ roll idol.
TEEN ANGEL: Male, Age Flexible (Range: Tenor, E4–F5)
Frenchy's suave and slick guardian angel, who encourages her to stay in school. A singer who would have caused girls to scream and swoon back in 1958.
MISS LYNCH: Female, Age Flexible (Range: Ensemble/Part Flexible)
A no-nonsense, serious, loud English teacher.
​Radio Voice: Male, Age Flexible (Range: Tenor, A3–C5)
A Radio Voice, sings “It’s Raining on Prom Night” with Sandy.
​Sheila’s Voice: Female, Age Flexible (spoken)
One of the characters we hear at the drive-in movie.
​Hero’s Voice: Male, Age Flexible (spoken)
One of the characters we hear at the drive-in movie.​
Scientist’s Voice: Male, Age Flexible (spoken)
One of the characters we hear at the drive-in movie.​
Students: (SATB)
​Some ensemble may be cast in the “Pink Ladies”, some in the “Burger Palace Boys”, and others as part of the overall student body.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT AUDITIONS
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If you haven’t already done so, please fill out an audition form ahead of time. It’ll help the auditions run more smoothly.
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When you arrive, you’ll be assigned an audition number. A short dance audition will be taught at auditions, in typical musical theater style. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes to dance in.
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Small groups of ~6 actors will be called in to audition together, based on your assigned audition number. We’ll do the vocal auditions first, followed by the dance audition, and then dramatics. You’ll be reading sides from the script (posted below), so no need to prepare an audition scene, no cold readings, and no need to memorize the sides.
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VOCAL AUDITION GUIDELINES
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Please prepare one 60-second (approximately 32 bar) excerpt that is in the style of “GREASE”, but NOT from the show!
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A few song selection tips:
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- Choose a song that suits your voice and highlights your personal talents.
- Choose a song that you actually enjoy singing!
- Make sure it’s in the best key possible for your voice (not too low or too high).
- Choose a song that allows you to act - you should be able to demonstrate engaged storytelling.
- Your song should (of course) be performed with proficient pitch, tone, diction and vocal clarity.
What does “in the style of” mean? (You do NOT have to follow these guidelines, they are simply suggestions):
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- Songs from the same time period that the show was WRITTEN (1970s).
- Songs from the same time period that the show is SET IN (1950s).
- Songs with similar themes.
- Songs of similar style/genre.
Technical notes:
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- An accompanist will be provided for all auditions.
- Please bring your own sheet music in the correct key (if you are unsure, please ask!).
- Sheet music should be adequately marked and prepared (either in a binder or taped, with start/end points and any cuts clearly marked).
- Please do NOT bring: hardback books, loose-leaf pages, or anything involving staples. Sheet protectors are perfectly OK but not necessary.
- A cappella auditions will not be permitted, nor will karaoke tracks or “backing tracks” - you MUST demonstrate that you can perform with live accompaniment.
SIDES FROM THE SCRIPT
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We’ll do our best to have you read for the specific parts you’re auditioning for, but please understand that we can’t have everyone read for every part they’d like. If we haven’t asked you to read for a specific part and you really feel strongly about it, please ask at auditions and we’ll do our best to accommodate you.