“You’re the One That I Want!” Ben Terril and Ava Fagan star as Danny and Sandy in Grease. Pictured in background (l to r): Callie Curtis, Anna Brown, Josh Fogarty, Morgan Bailey.
Photo: Sam Dunbar
By Kristi King
Sanford High School Theater Company presented four public performances of Grease over the weekend of March 28–30 at Sanford Performing Arts Center, setting a record for the most tickets ever sold to a single event at the venue. This rocking student production of a special school edition of Grease delivered all the nostalgia, favorite characters, and musical performances generations have enjoyed. The outstanding leads were Ben Terril as a John Travolta-like Danny Zuko who flirts with the sweet-voiced Ava Fagan, as Sandy Dumbrowski, finding young love at Rydell High. Featured were the leather-clad “T-Birds” played by Tim McGee (Kenickie), Austin Glidden (Doody), Josh Fogarty (Sonny), Ben Terril, and Braden Landry (Roger) who performed Greased Lightning with an old jalopy that miraculously turned into a new roadster. In their signature silk jackets, the “Pink Ladies” with Rebecca Horton (Frenchy), Ava Fagan, Sophia Randall (Patty), Ari Young (Jan), Assistant Choreographer Morgan Bailey as Marty, and senior Hope Abbott-Eaton, the show’s Principal Choreographer starring as Rizzo, harmonized beautifully on “Freddy My Love.”
The opening night full house enthusiastically cheered after each musical dance number as twenty talented entertainers including ensemble members Ava Allen, Anna Brown, Callie Curtis, Avila Cyr, Anna Held, Marti Kane, Cyndy Pattershall and Lydia Treadwell filled the stage with thrilling dance moves singing timeless hits Summer Nights, Beauty School Dropout, Hand Jive and We Go Together that displayed the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll rebellion. Actors did an outstanding job of recreating memorable characters including rock and roller Johnny Casino and Teen Angel (Jack Van Gieson), school nerd Eugene (Oakley O’Keefe), affable class clown (Braeden Landry), Radio DJ Vince Fontaine (Jakob Bendel), “Cha Cha” (Jordyn Martin) and Sanford High School Principal Tracy Gibson in the role of Ms. Lynch all delivering joyful moments sprinkled throughout the two-hour sold-out show.
Under Artistic Director & Scene Designer Brett Williams, this eye-catching production featured spectacular sets built by Emerson Whitlock, George Westerlund, Owen Wyman, Azure Shrubsall and Chase Gauthier, with props and painting by Hannah Morgan (lead), Kallu Charron, Isabella Dudley, Addison Gendreau, Thalinda Hengthal, Riley Kirby, and Zoey Voll. The vivid costumes under Backstage Director & Costume Designer Kristie Baker rivaled the 1978 movie’s reminiscent poodle skirts and lettered high school sweaters with dazzling costumes and props by Cynthia Carroll (co-lead), Kaylee Gauthier (co-lead), Esmee Baron, and Summer Bowtell with hair and make-up by Sam Dunbar. High ‘props’ go to the stage crew led by Stage Manager Giuliana Drouin that seamlessly created one mood-setting scene after another.
Lighting and smoke effects by Lighting Designer Jeff Perry and controlled by Gwen Fogarty, Emerson Whitlock and Owen Wyman added to the mind-blowing surprises that delighted the appreciative audience. Audio was superbly handled by Conner Rice (lead), Gabe Williams and Chase Gauthier. The ‘above stage’ 5-piece band-Elliot Barron, Benjamin Ferarri, Josh Hyssong and Blaine Morin led by Musical Director Ryan Geary brought the 50’s era to life with their oldies rock-n-roll music that had everyone grooving in their seats.
Audience member Aiden Maliski, whose USM roommate was guitarist Benjamin Ferarri, excitedly stated, “It’s my first time at this beautiful venue. What an exceptional performance!”
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