Horizon High bringing “Grease” to stage

Horizon High School is traveling back to the 1950s for a “wop bop-a loo-bop-a wop bam boom” good time in the theater. The thespians are staging “Grease” this week with a double cast of 56.

Danny, Sandy, the Thunderbirds and the Pink Ladies have been practicing their lines and lyrics and are ready to sing and dance for theater-goers.

“Audiences can expect a lot of high-energy dance numbers, a lot of cool special effects,” said theater director Ashley Fisher. “We have neon signs, special lighting, a full-size car. … We’ve got some big special effects happening on stage, and just a really, really impressive visual show as well as a lot of talented performers.”

The lead roles are shared by all age groups, so each cast has a mix of young and old students. Fisher said she tried to pair seniors and freshmen “with a lot of promise.”

Everyone wears multiple costumes.

“All the performers we have double cast, so when they’re not playing a lead role, they’re in the ensemble, so they’re learning two totally different tracks,” Fisher said.

Since the fall show was the heavy and dramatic “Hadestown,” Horizon Principal Andrew Jackson wanted to go in a different direction for the spring musical.

“We wanted to go with something light and bright and colorful in the spring,” Fisher said.

Jackson even has a role as television reporter Vince Fontaine during the Rydell High dance-off.

“This production has been one of the most fun to work on,” Fisher said. “It’s been fun to work on because everyone is so excited to be part of this production.”

Before auditions, the school held a movie night and showed the original “Grease” movie with John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, and the students also have watched multiple stage productions of the show.

“The story is literally about a bunch of teenagers and their relationships in the school — and the younger crowd can relate to what they’re going through,” Fisher said. “It’s nostalgia for the older generation.”

She is grateful for all the support the show has received. Parents also have been building sets, painting railings and putting up wallpaper.

“All the cast and their families have been working to make this production great,” she said.

Danny is the only character not double cast. He is being played by Horizon junior Nate Childers.

“I’m most looking forward to getting to perform with this amazing cast and give the audience a show they won’t forget,” he said. “After seeing the movie, I saw that even though Danny acts cool in front of his friends and is stubborn toward Sandy, deep down he has a good heart. Getting to play a role that can get pretty deep, as well as getting to sing and dance in fun, upbeat numbers, sounded like such a fun role to get to perform!”

Childers said his favorite song is “You’re the One That I Want.”

“It’s such an iconic song, and getting to perform it on stage with both of my wonderful Sandys is such an honor,” he said.

Karris Martin, a sophomore, and Mimi Gibbons, a junior, portray Danny’s love interest, Sandy.

Martin said she is looking forward to having a character change.

“I love seeing how Sandy undergoes her transformation from the beginning to the end of the show as she finds herself and lets out her spunky energy,” Martin said. “It's a lot of fun to play two different personalities in one show! I love the feeling of taking on a lead role because it challenges me to learn how to manage responsibility and keep balance in my life with other things. I also enjoy the learning experience that comes with being a lead and how I can improve my own skills and support my cast around me in the show.”

Gibbons is looking forward to bringing Sandy’s character to life and connecting with the audience through her story.

“She’s such a classic character with a lot of heart, and I’m excited to explore her emotions, growth and relationships on stage,” Gibbons said. “Plus, performing with such a great cast makes it even more fun! I wanted to take on this role because I love the depth and development of Sandy’s character. She starts off shy and reserved but grows into someone who knows what she wants. Playing a lead role is a challenge, but it’s also an amazing opportunity to push myself as a performer and bring something personal to the character.”

“Greased Lightning” is Martin’s favorite song, and Gibbons is ready to perform “Hopelessly Devoted to You.”

Fisher said the show is being adjudicated for the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts’ Applause Award and will be judged on set design, costume design and stage management, as well as individual performers and the ensemble as a whole. “Hadestown” received several awards in the fall.