Written by Sydney Weber
The Loft Stage at East Ridge High School is launching back into in-person performances with a whole new type of production – an outdoor performance of “Grease.”
“We wanted to pick a production that would go well outside, and the drive-in and 50s theme of ‘Grease’ does that well,” says Ms. Kajsa Jones, The Loft Stage musical director. The directors also considered the fact that “Grease” has an array of female and male roles, she said.
The performance will take place in an East Ridge parking lot from June 10-19, with an outdoor stage and chairs set up for the audience. Audience members will also be able to drive up in their cars to watch, she said.
“The musical script does differ slightly from the movie, but we will be able to add some songs from the movie into the performance,” Ms. Jones said.
Some see “Grease” as controversial due to its gender representations and themes. One of the most prominent controversial themes is how Sandy changes a big part of her identity at the end of the movie to appeal to Danny. Instead of changing the plot and script, the directors and cast have decided to take up a new perspective in their interpretation of the musical and its characters.
“As a cast we have talked about some of the controversial ideas in ‘Grease,’ including Sandy’s ending and how she became more like Danny. In our minds, we are thinking more about it as she is coming into herself. One of her lines is that she ‘feels more like herself than she ever has before.’ It is not so much her changing, but more becoming herself,” said ensemble member and understudy Haleigh Smith. “It has a really good message that we can all become who we are supposed to be and we don't have to follow the standards of everyone else,”
The Loft Stage’s production in the fall was performed online, making “Grease” their first in-person performance since the 2019-2020 school year.
To be able to practice indoors, the cast and crew had to build an outdoor stage for rehearsals, which is located near the Activities Entrance at ERHS. Lighting and other tech props are transported outside and packed back up to taken inside for every rehearsal.
“I haven’t done a real in-person performance in so long, and doing it online is just not the same,” says sophomore Ava Bartel, an ensemble member.
While the pandemic has affected many students in theatre negatively, there have also been some positive effects. “It is nice to not be doing as many shows so I can work on other things like voice lessons and dancing,” Bartel said.
Besides the outdoor performance, understudies have been assigned, which has not been done in the past. “Spring schedules are often very busy, so we wanted extra flexibility and support. There is also an increased risk that people could get sick,” says Ms. Jones.
While The Loft Stage is finally able to perform in person, they still have to take precautions in their rehearsals and performances. “Once we begin in-person rehearsals, everyone will be masked, distanced, and separated in pods,” Ms. Jones said.
Tickets are available at https://theloftstage.org/
