ELLISVILLE – The first musical theater production held in Jones College’s newly remodeled M.P. Bush Auditorium will be the iconic Broadway hit and movie, “Grease” on Friday, April 5 & 6 at 7 p.m., with a Sunday April 7, matinee at 2 p.m. Jones College students who performed in the production 20-years ago are invited to enjoy a class reunion of sorts at Rydell High School, the place in 1950’s Chicago that writer Jim Jacobs developed the characters and setting for the musical,“Grease.”
“We’re trying to find the JC theater alumni from 2003-2004 and try to incorporate them into the show. They need to contact me, Bruce Smith at bruce.smith@jcjc.edu if they want to be a part of the show,” said Bruce Smith, Dean of the College of Art, Music and Performing Arts.
Ironically, Smith never intended to direct the musical production of Grease because of his close connection to the writer, Jim Jacobs. The JCJC 1990 graduate, played the character, “Doody” when the musical toured nationally 30 years ago.
“I worked directly with Jim Jacobs and when the tour ended, I said I would not bring this to the stage since it was so close to me,” shared Smith. “I think it’s ironic, and a lot of people don’t know this, but these characters are based on Jacob’s friends in real life and the real events that took place in their lives.”
Twenty-seven Jones College students will be dancing and singing Broadway’s most memorable songs of the 50’s. Also, the chart-topping songs from the hit 1978 movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, including, “Summer Nights,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “Greased Lightnin’ will also bring the audience back to this popular time period.
“Some of the language has been modified, so it’s not a rough musical, but these characters are inner city Chicago kids that grew up in the 1950s. Their take on life was a little bit tougher than the average high school student,” said Smith.
Playing the role made famous by Travolta, “Danny Zuko” will be performed by JC sophomore electrical technology major from Oak Grove, Nicholas Singleterry. His favorite role in the Warriors of Oak Grove theater was playing the larger-than-life creature, “Shrek.” However, Danny admitted, he is a lot like his character in Grease.
“I like how nonchalant Danny is because he just kicks back and does whatever he feels needs to be done,” said Singleterry. “I also hope the audience enjoys the nostalgic music.”
In her first appearance at Jones College’s musical theater production, Sumrall’s Jessie Deare plays the role of Danny’s girlfriend, Sandy, made popular by Newton-John. As a member of the Legacy show choir and singing in the drama club at Sumrall High School, Deare is a member of all three choirs at JC and plans to enroll in the nursing program next fall. When Deare walked into class, Smith said he knew she would play Sandy because she looks and sings like Sandy.
“I’m very excited and a little nervous but as we keep going, I’m getting more excited,” said Deare. “I’ve always wanted to be in theater but never had the opportunity to do so in high school because of my busy schedule. My dream has always been to be on Broadway.”
Playing Rizzo is Laurel freshman, Kiandra Lopez who is a member of all three choirs at JC. At West Jones High School, Lopez played the evil stepmother in her high school’s play, Cinderella. Playing the “bad girl” role is something she said she enjoys and thrives on.
“I feel like I can really get into my Hispanic side for these types of roles,” said Lopez. “I can be a little spicy with it.”
Smith shared, “Lopez is a little Cuban spitfire. She’s like this in real life too. She’s this tiny, sweet little fireball on stage but when you put the wig on her, she is Rizzo. She rolls her eyes the right way, she’s nonchalant; she’s the character.”
Keneckie’s character, the cool car guy is played by music industry major from Collins, Eli Carter who was in Jones College’s original musical theater review last spring, “STARCROSSED.” Just like his character, Carter works on cars at his dad’s shop, Classic Auto Sales and is a rising musician.
“I’m not a ‘bad’ dude but like Keneckie, I am kind of quiet, I mess with cars and he also just kind of lives his life,” said Carter. “Bruce encouraged me to audition for this role, to kind of challenge myself in a different avenue than just song writing and playing the guitar.”
Tickets for general admission are $15, and $10 for Jones College employees and students, if using the emailed code in February. For the first time, all tickets are now available for purchase only through a new, ticketing service on the website, https://www.jcjc.edu/grease/.
“Having this ticketing service is a game changer for us as far as being able to do bigger shows and events here on
campus. It is opening the door for us as a venue for concerts and other things,” said Smith. “The online ticketing service also allows guests to choose their seats way in advance, which are also reserved, just like other ticketing services for concerts and movies.”
Purchasing tickets now, before the show sells out is encouraged with a maximum of 1100 seats available for each performance. Ads in the JC Playbill program are also available for businesses to purchase through the College of Arts, Music and Performance. Check the Jones College Arts, Music, and Performance website and social media pages for
details prior to the performance. For more information about the Jones College Arts, Music and Performance department, call 601-477-4203.
Cast, Crew and Ensemble
Nicholas Singleterry-Oak Grove, “Danny Zuko”
Jessie Deare-Sumrall, “Sandy”
Eli Carter-Collins, “Kenickie”
Kiandra Lopez-Laurel, “Rizzo”
Kameron Carter-Columbia, “Frenchy”
Aliyah Watts-Sandy Hook, “Marty”
Sydney Ivey-Raleigh, “Jan”
Daniel Baldwin-Magee, “Doody”
Silas Ensign-Laurel, “Sonny”
Seth Walker-Laurel, “Roger”
Bryce Jasper-Laurel, “Vince Fontaine
Kelly Biglane-Ellisville, “Cha-Cha”
Isaiah Spradley-Laurel, “Johnny Casino”
Matthew Taylor-Richland, “Eugene Florczyk
Sydnee Tisdale-Ellisville, “Miss Lynch”
Taylor Garretson-Leakesville, “Patty Simcox”
Antarian Chapman-Hebron, “Teen Angel”
Bailie Bishop-Soso, Ensemble
Britton Dunnam-Sandhill, Ensemble
Tristen Goss-Morton, Ensemble
Ella Jolly-Petal, Ensemble
Samantha Jordan-Ocean Springs, Ensemble
Dasia Newell-Sandersville, Ensemble
Danielle Parker-Laurel, Ensemble
Kailand Snow-Laurel, Ensemble
Sydney Starbuck-Bay Springs, Ensemble
Kira Stokes-Waynesboro, Ensemble
Director-Bruce Smith
Assistant Director & Choreographer-Brett Barnes
Sound & Lights-Jacob Arnold
Audio Engineer-T.J. May,
Stage Manager-Sam Griffith, Ellisville
Set Construction, Costumes & Props-Tristen Goss, Kailand Snow, Sydney Ivy, and Kiandra Lopez.
Publicity/Advertising-Assistants, Danielle Parker-Laurel and Sydney Starbuck -Raleigh.
