COD Summer Repertory Theater Presents 'Grease' July 7 to 17 at the MAC

College of DuPage College Theater presents brings Rydell High to life in a production of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey's "Grease" Thursday, July 7, to Sunday, July 17.

Performances are 7 p.m. in the McAninch Art Center's Playhouse Theatre on the Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. Click here for a cast list.

In 1959, Rydell's senior class, including Danny, Sandy, Rizzo and Kenickie, navigate the last days of high school, learning about themselves and their relationships. The popular musical debuted in Chicago in 1971 before moving to New York, where it garnered seven Tony Award nominations. It was adapted for the screen in 1978 and starred Olivia Newton John, John Travolta, Stockard Channing and Jeff Conaway.

Director and Theater Professor Connie Canaday Howard is excited to revive musical theater at the College. The Theater program produced its last musical, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," in the 2007-2008 academic year.

The overall theme of "Grease" coincides with themes of individuality in College Theater's other summer production, "Moustache Tales," she said.

"It's about Sandy stepping out of this image she's built for herself and, really, the realities of life," she said. "The main tag song for the show, "We Go Together," speaks to the show as a whole and really the core of society. Conflict exists, but we work through that conflict, building relationships on life's journey."

As the Pink Ladies and the Burger Palace Boys (portrayed as the T-Birds in the film adaptation) learn about growing up, theatergoers will find themselves at the drive-in, at the local diner and inside the Rydell High cafeteria as the actors and crew quickly transition scenes and costumes, all while accommodating a four-piece band, Canaday Howard said.

"It is a lot of work with a lot of moving pieces, but our cast is having a lot of fun," she said. "With this show, we really are taking over the Playhouse Theatre, using every bit of space and you'll often have the actors in the audience as the story unfolds."

Tickets are $14 for adults and $12 for students and seniors.

Support is made possible by a generous gift from the College of DuPage Foundation's Dr. Donald and Helen (Gum) Westlake Fund for Student Productions.

For more information, call the MAC Box Office at (630) 942-4000, or visit: www.atthemac.org. Click here for more information on College Theater.