Willmar High School is going back to the '50s with 'Grease'

Shelby Lindrud, West Central Tribune, Willmar, Minn.
·3 min read

Nov. 8—WILLMAR

— It is time to brush off your poodle skirts, bobby socks and leather jackets as Willmar Senior High School gets ready to present its

2023 production of "Grease."

"There was a lot of excitement about this one," said Travis Michelson, high school choir director.

Even though the original musical was first performed in 1971 and the movie came out in 1978, the show is still a popular choice for high school drama departments. Michelson said the "Grease Live" production on NBC back in 2016 helped reintroduce the show to the younger generations. It has a large cast, allowing for more students to participate, and the music itself isn't too difficult to perform.

Forty-four students have been cast for this year's musical, with several more helping backstage and with sound and lights.

"It is a good number to have," Michelson said.

Showtimes for this year's production of Grease are 7 p.m. Nov. 9-11 and at 1 p.m. Nov. 12. Tickets can be

purchased online.

Auditions for the show were held in early September, and rehearsals began soon afterward. All told, there will be 48 days of rehearsal to make the show the best it can be, Michelson said.

"At this point we are feeling we're in a good place," Michelson said a few weeks prior to opening day. "It takes a good few weeks to get comfortable with the music."

This year's cast includes Rich Becker as Danny Zuko and Chloe Jensen playing Sandy Dumbrowski. The Pink Ladies are played by Mindy Twedt as Frenchie, Ava Carlson as Marty, Alex Sixta as Betty Rizzo and Qiara Christenson as Jan. The Burger Palace Boys (known as the T-Birds in the film) will be brought to life by James Rende as Kenickie, Amin Fifita as Roger, Andy Perez-Castillo as Doody and Mathias Elmhorst as Sonny.

Also in the cast are Anthony Buzzeo taking on the roles of Teen Angel and Johnny Casino, Bryce Peterson will play Eugene Florczyk, Aeda Villnow playing Patty Simcox, Zoe Swart as Miss Lynch, Jaiden Fredrickson as Cha-Cha diGreggorio and Greyson Wells as Vince Fontaine.

Rounding out the cast are Ash Cain, Brooklyn Hinrichs, Brynna Willis, Bwe Gay, Courtney Schiesser, Daniella Medina-Reyes, Dante Ramirez, Delilah Singsank, Diane Osuna Alvarez, Eliana Marcus, Emerald Osuna Alvarez, Emma Hainlin, Flor Medina Palma, Gabby Rud, Hailey Fadness, Jadie Lundgren, Jordan Jensen, Lauryn Mueske, Linda Waltz, Lindsey Winter, Maddie George, Makenzie Gonzalez, Michael Olson, Mika Groen, Mikayla Ornelas, Neveah Molash, Patricia Shockency, Sarah Jensen, Sophia Haase, Taetem Geer, Troy Eisel and Zavore Hunt who will be filling the halls of Rydell High as students.

Helping make this year's musical a success backstage are Lauryn Mueske, Drew Lindquist, Gavin Evenson, Eileen Bosch, Terry Brau, Ivy Williams and Sam Oswood on sound and lights. Directors are Travis Michelson, Madison Anderson-Wilson and Neal Haugen along with student director Brynna Willis.

Providing the score of the musical is the pit band, made up of Evan Wallestad on drums, Ryan Newberg on saxophone, Jon Marchand on guitar, Brendan Pappenfuss on bass and Hailey Jurgenson on keyboard.

Costume directors are Anna Ziske, Sue Enstad, Theresa Winter and Melissa Mangen. Lights and sound director is Drew Lindquist; Allison Schaaf is in charge of set design; and Bryan Mara heads set construction. The show's choreographer is Kari Michelson. The set crew is made up of Emery Holwerda, Kylee Struck, Danna Ochoa, Adriana Martinez, Cassie Solomon and Noemy Mejia.

As opening night gets closer, Michelson said the cast and crew are really starting to get excited, looking forward to putting all their hard work in front of friends, family and community members. Theater offers a welcoming place for students that allows them to be creative.

"It give them a place, a family," and the chance to create something together, Michelson said. "I love being able to see kids full of emotion."