"Grease" will be performed Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the middle school on Thompson Street, as well as Sept. 14 and 15.
Actresses in the Monson Summer Theatre production of 'Grease' rehearse for the upcoming production. From left are Kimberly Redman as Frenchie, Kelly Gagner as Rizzo, and Katie Fitzpatrick as Jan. In front is Cassie N. Cloutier as Sandy.MONSON - Grease is the word at Granite Valley Middle School, as Monson Summer Theatre's gears up for its latest production.
"Grease" will be performed Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the middle school on Thompson Street, as well as Sept. 14 and 15.
The show's producer is Erin L. Greene, who was involved in Monson Summer Theatre when she was a youth. Greene, who runs the non-profit Greene Room Productions theater company, also worked with the late former director, Tess Pelissier, who led the theater group for 40 years. Pelissier passed away in 2011.
"I was one of the summer theater kids. I did it all through high school . . . I told (Tess) at one point that if she ever thought of stepping down, I'd be interested," Greene said.
"I feel like she's looking down and is pleased that things are still happening," Greene added.
This was the first year that the theater group opened its doors to young actors and actresses outside Monson. Greene said there weren't enough Monson teens last year to fill the roles, so some kids had multiple parts. She said the addition of kids from other towns has worked out well.
"There were mixed feelings in the community . . . I think overall it's been really positive," Greene said.
The cast of 35 includes kids from Monson, Palmer, Sturbridge, Leicester, Wilbraham, Ludlow and Belchertown. The cast has been rehearsing since mid-July, spending four days a week on the musical. There are also teens working behind the scenes on the technical side. The program is open to youth in seventh grade through teens in their first year of college.
Holly Cote, 12, of Monson, said this is her first time doing Monson Summer Theatre, and she is excited to finally be involved. She plays a "tough girl" and a cheerleader.
"Ever since I was really little, I've been looking forward to this," Cote said.
Cassie N. Cloutier, 15, of Wilbraham, landed the lead role of Sandy, the good girl who falls in love with greaser Danny Zucco over the summer at the beach. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, Sandy ends up staying, and attending Zucco's high school. Teenage drama ensues.
Timothy M. Chavez, 19, of Monson, said he's been doing summer theater for five years. He said he loves the movie "Grease" and plays Danny, the part for which he auditioned.
"I thought it would be a challenge for me," Chavez said. "He's the opposite of me."
Greene said she chose "Grease" because it would appeal to both the kids playing the parts and the audience.
Kimberly Redman, 16, plays Frenchie, one of the Pink Ladies.
"It's going to be really fantastic," Redman said about the show. "I auditioned for Frenchie. I like Frenchie because she's kind of very bubbly, but there's still a sadness to her."
Redman said she thinks her town could use more arts offerings, and summer theater gives it that "extra boost."
During the rehearsal on Tuesday night, the cast belted out Grease classics such as "Greased Lightning" and "Summer Nights."
Tickets are available for $10 at the Monson Parks and Recreation office, which is at Hillside School on Thompson Street and is open from 8 a.m. to noon. Tickets also will be available at the door on the night of the shows for $12.