For Immediate Release: June 17, 2005
Media Contact: Charlene Thellmann, Ritz Theatre Company, 856.488.9093

Grease is the word! Rydell High's spirited class of '59 captures the look and sound in this rollicking musical with girls in bobby sox and pedal pushers and gum chewing, hotrod loving boys. The gang of "Grease" sings and dances its way through nostalgic scenes such as a pajama party, the prom and the drive in movie with the timeless hits of "You're The One That I Want," "Hopelessly Devoted To You," "Sandy," and "Grease."

The story follows a dozen kids through typical high school incidents while interwoven is the romance between Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski. Sandy was brought up to behave like girls do in the movies while Danny has to maintain his cool image in order to keep his status with the gang. They met one summer and liked each other, but when they meet at school in front of his friends, Danny boasts that she was just one of his conquests. Sandy becomes hurt and joins a gang of tough girls who make fun of her. The play also include sone of these favorites "Beauty School Dropout, ""Greased Lightning" and "Summer Nights."

The Broadway production by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey opened in New York in 1972. John Travolta starred in the 1978 hit film version along with well known pop star Olivia Newton John as Danny and Sandy the star crossed teenagers.

We are pleased to welcome back the same creative team that brought you last year's successful season closer "Evita." Art McKenzie of Cherry Hill, director, Joanne McBride of Collingswood , choreographer and Karen Knox of Woodbury, musical director. Starring in this summer's production are Sarah Pearson of Magnolia and Rory Donovan of Wilmington, Delaware as Sandy and Danny. They were last seen together on the Ritz stage in Evita as Eva Peron and Che. Other cast members include David McConney of Oaklyn as Kenickie, Carol Passaro of Williamstown as Rizzo.

Costumes by Gracie Hoffner of Williamstown. Set design by Russell McCleskey of Phila. Sound by Wendy Freed of Phila. with lighting by John Zettlemoyer of Audubon.

Performances: July 7 - August 6, 2005 at the Ritz Theatre, 915 White Horse Pike in Oaklyn, NJ. Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm ($22.00) and Sundays at 2 pm ($17). Wednesday, July 20 & Aug. 3 at 7:30 pm ($17). Preview performance Thursday, July 7 at 7:30 pm ($14). Opening night performance, Friday, July 8 at 8 pm ($20). All seats reserved. Advanced reservations by calling the Ritz 24 hour ticket hotline (856) 858-5230 or on the web at: www.ritztheatreco.org. Student rush tickets available ($10) 10 minutes prior to curtain.

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