LEWISTON — Two of Maine’s leading cultural institutions – Brunswick’s Maine State Music Theatre (MSMT) and Lewiston’s The Public Theatre – have partnered together for the first time to bring “Grease the Musical” to the stage.
The show, which runs June 18-30, 2019, will broaden the offerings for The Public Theatre, which does not typically present musicals, and allow MSMT to expand its reach into the Lewiston/Auburn area.
“When the possibility of having The Public Theatre and Maine State Music Theater do a co-production was first brought up we jumped at the idea,” said Christopher Schario, TPT’s executive/artistic director. “We think that combining the strengths of our organizations will create a production that will surprise and delight both of our audiences.”
With this co-production, Curt Dale Clark, MSMT’s artistic director said, “We hope to harness the best parts of both theaters to bring patrons a new and unique experience. We want to expand their opportunities to experience theatre beyond what each institution is capable of on their own.”
The cast and costumes will come from MSMT and the production will be directed by Schario and performed on TPT’s stage in Lewiston, making the show a true artistic collaboration. According to Schario, “Our audience probably doesn’t know that I started out as a young actor in musicals and actually performed in the national tour of ‘Grease’ many years ago. For me, directing this production will be a true blast from the past.”
Early conversations revealed that although the theaters seem very different in size and shape, “We are totally on the same page about the best way to create a truly special production that will bring our audiences together,” said Schario.
“Grease the Musical” steps back in time to Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby socks and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the ’50s 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 the songs “Greased Lightnin’,” “We Go Together,” “Alone at the Drive-In Movie,” “Born to Hand Jive” and many more.
Performances will be at The Public Theatre, 31 Maple St. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at The Public Theatre at www.thepublictheatre.org or 207-782-3200 or at Maine State Music Theatre at www.msmt.org or 207-725-8769.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
