Ark Valley News - Greased lightning

Sandy, played by Chelsea John, rehearses “Summer Nights" Nov. 13. Valley Center performed the musical “Grease" Nov. 16 and 17.

Greased lightning
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: November 19, 2018

Musical love story takes on teenage challenges

Valley Center High School students are turning back the clock this weekend.

Back when the summer days were drifting away to oh, oh the summer nights.

The performing arts department presented "Grease" Nov. 16 and 17.

"It's a really good show and full of joy," said Jakin Lefto, a senior, who plays Danny. "It attempts to spread that joy through more of a love story."

The musical revolves around classmates at Rydell High School who are exploring relationships and peer pressure and pushing their boundaries.

In the middle are Sandy Dumbrowski and Danny Zuko, who meet during summer vacation and navigate their friendships while trying to figure out their own relationship after Sandy becomes a new student at Rydell.

"It's an honor to be able to play Sandy," said Chelsea John, a junior. "It's been really fun. She's kind of this shy, awkward girl, and I kind of fit that pretty well."

John said Sandy goes through some of the biggest changes.

"She doesn't really fit in with her group of friends right away," John said. "… Throughout the musical, she starts to change and realize that she can be a better version of herself. She doesn't just change for Danny and her friends. She changes for herself, too."

Meanwhile, Danny has to play it cool for his friends but not lose the girl he fell in love with.

"Danny is a very good dancer," Lefto said. "That's something I've had to work on a lot. Also, the cool aspect, trying to master that and the hair is very difficult for someone with curly hair. I'm doing my best and am having a lot of fun with the role."

Lefto said the cast and crew worked hard to put on a good show. Crowds responded with a packed house both nights.

"I just wanted to thank everyone on the cast for really working hard on this and making it a priority in their life," he said. "A lot of people on stage with singing parts or speaking parts, it's their first time acting or on stage. And seeing everybody really come together and grow throughout this whole experience, it's almost been a 360, seeing people change and seeing people work so hard at their acting and at their vocals, it's been an amazing experience."

Cast and crew

Danny Zuko, Jakin Lefto; Kenickie, Gabe Charvat; Doody, Dylan Simmons; Roger, Colten Brillhart; Sonny, Josh Isaacs; Sandy Dumbrowski, Chelsea John; Marty, Gracie Sroka; Betty Rizzo, Sydney Wilson; Jan, Kristen Schrag; Frenchy, Haven Massey; Johnny Casino, Jared McDonald; Vince Fontaine, Dylan Bastian; Eugene, Tyler Truman; Miss Lynch, Hannah Warden; Patty Simcox, Samantha Gillig; Cheerleaders, Sophia McNiel, Emily Redfield, Natalie John; Cha Cha, Heidi Lange.

Ensemble — Rafael Aviles, Alex Barbour, Megan Brown, Shane Byers, Kathryn Carlson, Sydney Dahl, Reese Dody, Elena Herrera, Tanza Holmes, Kirsten Kedrowski, Tanner Kinder, Kassie Kinniburgh, Hannah Kirk, Makayla Lake, Heidi Lange, Chloe Lille, Cheyenne Lisle, Brandon McClure, Jarrod McCurry, Skyle Outley, Lindsey Owings, Sheridan Peterson, Jordan Pryor, Sara Scheibmeir, Zoe Schmitt, Rylie Slusher, Faith Stacy, Lauren Tucker, Kaleb Waller.

Stage manager, Alexis Driscoll; lighting design, Harrison Ducommun; assistant stage manager/back stage manager, Jessica Fontes; back stage crew, Adrian Miller, Skyler Leland, Juliet Banuelos, Chloe Muse.