High School musical: ‘Grease’ is the word

I love this time of year. As the snow melts and the geese return, high schools throughout the region are rehearsing and presenting their spring musicals with imagination, verve and vitality.

First up, Sullivan West’s ( swcsd.org ) incredibly energetic presentation of “Grease” this past weekend in Lake Huntington, NY. In spite of the storm, replete with a power outage on Saturday night that obliterated the light and sound cues that the crew had spent countless hours to create, the show went on.

The cast hit the stage running and delivered a solid production of a timeless classic. With book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, “Grease” was (IMHO) an ideal choice, featuring standout performances of memorable songs like “Summer Nights,” “Freddy, My Love,” “We Go Together” and “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee”.

Even school superintendent Dr. Kenneth Hilton participated with his rendition of “Beauty School Dropout”—to overwhelming applause by the audience.

Sommer Johansen, Allie Ellmauer, Brian Recktenwall-Calvet, Jackie Ellmauer, Margaret Bruetch, Hannah Rettoun, Sam Satanovsky, Brendan Creegan, R.J. Smith, Artie Norden, Kate Bunch, Catherine Peters, Anthony Zelenka, Austin Erlwein, Chris Murphy and Adina Fadis, along with scores of supporting players, joined Dr. Hilton on stage in an exuberant celebration of 1950s high-jinx that had the audience on its feet, clapping, snapping fingers and clamoring for more as the feel-good musical played out before a sold-out crowd.

Especially in light of the fact that these students were faced with technical adversity beyond their control, the sets, costumes, choreography and orchestra all combined to light up the stage with “Greased Lightening” that will echo through the halls for months to come.

Observing the hard work, dedication and talent that goes into these shows makes my heart sing as I happily make my way from one school district to another.

Next up: Monticello High School’s ( monticelloschools.net ) ambitious production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” With performances scheduled for March 19 and 20 in the Arnold Packer Hughs Auditorium at 7:30 p.m., the musical, based on the book by Hugh Wheeler, has experienced a renewed popularity thanks to the recent and popular film version starring Johnny Depp.

Dark and eerie, this show contains mature content and might not be appropriate for young audiences. That being said, the original production on Broadway was a smash, and I am looking forward to seeing how this group attacks the material. With such memorable songs as “A Little Priest,” “Pretty Women” and “Not while I’m Around,” audiences are sure to be left humming a few bars and “experiencing a new sense of caution when they go for their next haircut.”

Relieved that I already have a new trim in place, I have made my reservation. For more information call 845/794-8840, ext. 10993.

Meanwhile, Fallsburg High school ( fallsburgcsd.net ) is preparing to surprise audiences with a lesser-known but fabulously entertaining show, “Bat Boy - The Musical.” Based on a years-old headline ripped from the pages of the National Enquirer, this show is quirky, fun and simply downright (must-see) weird. In other words, I am tingling with excitement to observe even more talented students and faculty as they entertain and amuse along the High School Musical trail!

Classics, show stoppers and esoteric choices are waiting in the wings as these shows hit the boards, spaced out nicely, in order that everyone can enjoy them all. Curtain up!