VOORHEESVILLE – Grease is the word, and Molly Spooner and the Voorheesville Dionysians are excited about it.

The high school theater group, under the leadership of Spooner – its energetic first-time director – will stage the musical this weekend, with performances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Spooner decided to do the well-known high-school drama, which became famous after a 1978 movie starring John Travolta because it gave students who had never participated before a chance to play characters they can relate to, she said. And she wanted to do something fun, she added.

Grease really works well with the talent Voorheesville has, Spooner said. "We lost a huge senior class from last year," she explained to The Enterprise as her cast was on stage with choreographer, Christine Marcelle.
"You guys rule," Marcelle encouraged the students. "I think you guys are doing an amazing job."
"The kids have worked together as a fabulous team," said Spooner of her cast. "They are a really tight-knit group despite the fact that some have extensive experience in theater and, for some, this is their first show."

The version of Grease that the Dionysians will perform is "100 percent family-friendly, PG rated," Spooner emphasized. "We chose to do the school version because we wanted to be able to invite elementary-school and middle-school kids without having to put a parental disclaimer on it."
The end result, which the Dionysians have been practicing, said Spooner, "is a truly classy production with a focus on great music and dancing, laughter, and fun."
"Real understanding"
"We’ve done a lot of work talking about how similar Rydell High is to our high school and how some things have never changed for teenagers," Spooner told The Enterprise. "There are still social cliques and exclusion " They deal with anxiety, love, happiness, and heartbreak on a daily basis, and they continually struggle to find their identities."

The play tells the story of a high –school romance between Danny, a popular guy, and Sandy, who is new to the school and very prim and proper. Adding to the story is the drama between the Pink Ladies, a clique of teenaged girls, and the Burger Palace boys, the rivaling group of boys.
Spooner – a second-year middle-school music teacher at Voorheesville – is "certainly" planning on directing again next year, she said. "It has been one of the most fun and rewarding experiences of my life," she said.
Since the very first rehearsal in January, Spooner said of the cast, "They dove into these roles with real understanding."
The students work together and "help each other learn and perfect the dances, give each other tips on vocal work, and work on playing scenes and remembering lines," said Spooner. "I just can’t stress enough how proud I am of them."
She believes that the students play their parts more accurately than adults could "because they are right in the thick of being teenagers in real life."
Her biggest challenge as a director, Spooner said, was working around the extra-curricular schedules of the players. "Voorheesville is unique in that, since it is small, the kids can participate in any and all activities they choose," she said.
"I am especially appreciative to the coaches and club advisors who have been so understanding of our commitments," Spooner said. "I truly can’t believe this has all run so smoothly."

From the actors’ perspective
The students are "really committed and really excited" about the show, said Spooner.

Cassie Muth and Allison McArdle are both seniors, they each play the part of a Pink Lady. Muth plays Frenchy, and McArdle plays Jan.

They both told The Enterprise how much fun they have participating in the school musical.
"It’s so much fun," McArdle said. "It’s such a play to go out on," she added, referring to it being both her and Muth’s last high-school musical.
"I think we could do it now if we had to," said Muth with certainty, two full weeks before opening night.
"These kids are really ready to go," Spooner agreed. "I feel like we’re going to be so ready that I have no need to be nervous."

Garrett Simpson has been involved in school theater since he was in ninth grade, he told The Enterprise. He is now a senior. Simpson plays the part of Kenickie, one of Danny’s cronies. He said that he likes how plays develop. "It all comes together in the end," he said.

Simpson also enjoys the chance to make new friends by participating in school theater.
"The show’s really coming together," Simpson said of Grease. "It’s all good," he added.
Simpson’s goal for this weekend – "To not mess up any of the dances," he said.

Michelle Cillis is a senior in her fourth school musical, she said. Cillis is playing the role of Sandy and is excited to have the lead role.
"It’s a lot of fun," she said of the show, echoing the sentiments of other actors.
The dynamics of the group are one thing that Cillis really appreciates, she said. "Everyone in the cast gets along really well" Everyone has a great time."

Sandy must sing as well as act and dance. Cillis said that she has been involved in music since middle school, and she really enjoys it.

She plans to attend The College of Saint Rose next year. She is hoping to study music, and is contemplating becoming a teacher, she said.
"It’s very upbeat," Cillis concluded about the whole experience.

Behind the scenes

Working hard behind the scenes under the direction of Portia Hubert, are about 15 students who help with the set and the lights and sound, Spooner said.
Hubert is the drama-club advisor, or, "Drama Mama," she said.
"She is our producer – handling the budget, program, tickets, publicity, and general business. She also manages the set, props, costumes, lights, and sound with help from parents and students," Spooner said of Hubert.

Alexis Moore is one of the students working with Hubert behind the scenes. She works on the sound board, Moore said.
She likes it, but, Moore said, "It’s confusing, there’s so many buttons."

Dana Lenseth works on sets and props; Brian Farley works with the lights; and Vicky Polsinilli works as Spooner’s assistant director.

Wayne Manchester, a frequent substitute teacher in the district, helps with the sound board, and district parent Dave Adkins helps Chris Jantson, the chair of the music department, with programming the lights, Spooner added.

The show also features a live pit orchestra – made up of a piano, two saxophones, drums, two guitars, and a bass, Spooner said.

The musicians, she said, include faculty members, and spouses of faculty members, one student, and one former student.
Spooner said that the whole experience has been wonderful: "I am blown away by the commitment of the kids and staff involved. It’s been an absolute dream."

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Opening night of the Voorheesville Dionysians production of Grease will be Friday, March 23, at 7:15 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at the high school on route 85A. The Dionysians will also perform Saturday, March 24, at 7:15 p.m. and on Sunday, March 25, at 2:15 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults with a $2 discount for students and senior citizens.