TO: Advisor and Show Director of Grease at Albert Einstein High School
FROM: Judy Bowns
Here are the Cappies reviews for Grease. There were 61 critics at your show, and up to now we
have received 60 reviews. If we receive late reviews, we will forward them to you.
Please share these reviews with your cast and crew.
Thank you.
-------------------------------------------------Jamie Joyyen-Waldorf, a student at Langley High School, reviews “Cabaret” performed by
Albert Einstein High School as part of The Cappies Critics and Awards Program
Flaunt those poodle skirts, snap on that leather jacket, and throw your mittens around your
kittens, because Grease is the word in Albert Einstein High School’s delightfully entertaining
production of the hit musical.
Written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey in 1971, Grease took generations by storm with its
infectious rock n’ roll rhythms and depiction of adolescent angst. Its 3,388 performance
Broadway premiere run in 1972 remains the fourteenth-longest in history, and its 1978 film
adaptation, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, one of the most iconic movies of all
time. The story begins with good-girl Sandy Dumbrowski and greaser Danny Zuko having a
short summertime romance, only to surprisingly meet again when school resumes at Rydell High
School. Worried about maintaining his bad-boy reputation, Danny initially tries to brush off
Sandy, who struggles to fit into a new school environment. Along with other Pink Ladies and
Greasers, the two teens navigate the confusing world of high school, filled with peer pressure,
love, and friendship,
Overall, the actors seemed to effectively capture the humor and character voices traditionally
associated with the show’s unique time and setting. The large cast, displaying excellent stage
presence, excelled during the synchronized choreography, especially during the big dance
numbers.
Bringing an enjoyable swagger and impressive vocal skills to the role of Danny Zuko, Eric Teran
truly showed that he was a triple-threat actor. Hitting high notes in a pleasant falsetto, busting a
move in many pulse-pounding numbers, and utilizing a high pitched voice at times for comedic
effect, Teran showcased a wide range of emotions and talents. Opposite Teran was Abigail
Kullberg, who displayed a powerful alto and skillfully portrayed Sandy’s innocent, good-girl
persona. She served as a sharp contrast to the rebellious, vivacious Pink Ladies and Greasers.
Though there was strong group cohesion among the ensemble, several actors stood out, including
Rebecca Bradley (Rizzo), Lydia Tefera (Frenchy), Carlos Castillo (Roger), and Jassim Conteh
(Cha-Cha). Both Bradley and Tefera made consistent, engaging character choices in their ditzy
line delivery and interactions, while Castillo’s comedic physicality shone through in the hilarious
booty-shaking song, “Mooning.” Conteh’s spicy dancing skills and sassy energy, whether she
was flirting with a guy or chewing gum while jiving, were also quite memorable. Although there
were some flubbed lines and pitch issues at times, these mistakes did not derail the cast’s
dedication and enthusiasm.
Technical aspects in general matched the style and mood of the show, contributing to the fun,
upbeat atmosphere. Highlights included the versatile multi-level set, which comprised of a large
bridge crossing with stairwells integrated beautifully on both sides of the set. Lighting design
encompassed some clever strobe effects and color changes, and despite some microphone
feedback and lagging scene changes, the tech crew handled the fast-paced show admirably,
hitting cues efficiently.
Few musicals throughout time have captured the quintessential aspects of teenage high school
life as memorably as Grease. Catchy and exhilarating, Albert Einstein High School’s riveting
production was no exception.
by Jamie Joeyen-Waldorf of Langley High School
-------------------------------------------------As a rambunctious gang of sex crazed greaser boys and a catty clique of teen girls danced and
sang their way through the groovy tunes and romantic confusions of Albert Einstein High
School’s production of Grease, the delightfully stereotypical turbulence of adolescent popularity
and love was put on full display in this rowdy and lovable rendition of the classic musical.
Grease first graced the stage in 1971, its old school rock and roll musical numbers and crude yet
hilarious script the product of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s collaborative efforts. Since then it
has become the 14th longest running show in Broadway history, been successfully adapted for
the screen, and is frequently performed in professional, community, and educational theater
circles. Set in a fictional high school during the 1950s, Grease tells the story of the on again off
again romance of hotshot greaser bad boy Danny Zuko and the sheltered good girl Sandy
Dumbrowski, who has just moved to town. After the pair falls in love over the summer, they are
surprised to discover that they attend the same school, but as they get caught up in the social
tribulations of Danny’s greaser gang and its accompanying band of popular girls the “Pink
Ladies,” their romance is tested. As Danny and Sandy navigate their tumultuous relationship,
their fun loving group of friends struggles through their own romantic exploits and personal
dramas.
Exuding swagger and confidence in his every flirtatious exchange, smooth dance move, or lovestruck musical number, Eric Teran led this production as the infamous Danny Zuko. Teran’s
façade of bad boy bravado was aptly penetrated by gleams of sincerity and caring as his
character grappled with the social ramifications of his romance, creating an endearing and
believable character with notable development. Opposite Teran, Abigail Kullberg captured the
charming innocence and femininity of Sandy.
Between sassing her friends and making out with her beau, Rebecca Bradley was every bit the
haughty diva of the Pink Ladies, Betty Rizzo. Noah Habenstreit, aided by adorable shyness and
off kilter comedic delivery, earned many laughs with his portrayal of the quiet and eccentric
greaser Doody. Embracing the absurdity of his characters’ butt shaking dance moves and
extroverted ridiculousness, Carlos Castillo’s uproarious depiction of Roger was the highlight of
many scenes. Moreover, Castillo executed his choreography with precision and character,
leading a cast that occasionally struggled with synchronized dance numbers.
A colorfully painted multi-level bridge structure served as the main set piece, as the unobtrusive
stage crew wheeled out an array of ornamenting flats and pieces such as bedroom furniture and a
car model to create the many settings of the show. With oiled and slicked back male hair styles
and proper 1950s bobs and curls for girls, the hair and make-up team not only aptly aided
visibility, but succeeded in firmly establishing the time period.
With a number of engaging and memorable performers bringing this production to high levels of
energy and hilarity, Albert Einstein High School’s Grease was a fun-filled ruckus of a show that
truly captured the vivacious spirit and social qualms of adolescence.
by Damian Leverett of McLean High School
-------------------------------------------------“I got chills, they're multiplying, and I'm losing control, 'cause the power you're supplying, it's
electrifying!” Grease, the musical, tackles the stage at Albert Einstein High School with
electrifying energy as the cast’s fabulous vocals and vivacious dance numbers sends chills down
the audience’s spine.
The favorite teenage musical is back and better than ever! The 1972 version of Grease, written
by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, was an instant hit, winning several Tony Awards including
Best Musical. The jiving, funky spirit of this show could not be contained by the stage, and in
1978 Grease was translated to the screen, featuring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in a
classic American film. The movie and musical follow essentially the same plot: wholesome,
goody-two shoes Sandy Dumbroski and rebellious greaser Danny Zuko fall madly in love over
summer break, but as summer nights come to an end, the two never expect to see each other
again. When Sandy transfers to Rydell High School in the fall, she is overjoyed to discover her
sensitive summer sweetheart attends her new school, but Danny is not the same around his gang
of renegade teens. Will social differences keep the lovers apart? Clad in poodle skirts, leather
jackets, and a whole lot of spunk, a group of raunchy adolescents cope with the trials of being a
teenager through singing, dancing, and rock-and-rolling.
In the lead role of Sandy, Abigail Kullberg led the production with enthusiastic aplomb. Her
pure, soprano voice was a perfect compliment to her consistently innocent, wide-eyed persona.
As her love interest Danny Zuko, Eric Teran set the tone of 1950s swank. With sensational vocal
conviction, hypnotic charisma, and dance moves as slick as the grease in his hair, Teran infused
the production with passion. His vocal range was unbelievably versatile – he hit even the highest
of notes with commendable agility. As Teran and his gang of leather-jacket rebels taunted each
other and swaggered about the stage, their chemistry played tremendously well, especially during
the iconic song “Grease Lighting”. Though at times Teran’s and Kullberg interactions left the
audience wanting more, the two did exchange several moments of genuine sincerity.
The supporting cast of the production featured multiple scene-stealing actors. Rebecca Bradley,
as Betty Rizzo, the sassy, boy-crazy tyrant of the “Pink Ladies” girl gang, employed wonderfully
obnoxious sarcasm and priceless, eye-rolling facial expressions, adding a unique sauciness to her
character. Carlos Castillo, as Roger, the rabble-rouser known for his unrivaled mooning record
at Rydell High, sent eruptions of laughter resounding through the auditorium. In his solo song
“Mooning,” his shameless physical comedy tripled the already ample hilarity of the production.
Declan Enright, as Eugene Florczyk, the theater’s epitome of all dweebs, made a small role into
an outstanding performance through his uproariously awkward dancing and unwavering
nerdiness.
Albert Einstein High School’s technical elements were on point for a production bursting with
swanky pizzazz. Despite a few sound issues throughout the production, the tech was overall a
sweeping success. The chromatic, geometric set, creatively painted in a Mondrian style pattern
augmented the explosively colorful atmosphere. Though sets could have been crafted with more
attention to detail, they were functionally designed and allowed for dynamic versatility in the
acting space. Additionally, the mesmerizing, brightly colored lights, which flashed like streaks of
lightning in various scenes, engrossed audience members into the performance.
The Pink Ladies and Greaser gang never fail to impress. In a story brimming with adolescent
angst, love, and rebellion, Albert Einstein High School created a retro, rock-and-roll riot that left
audiences with the urge to get up and jive.
by Marielle Burt of McLean High School
-------------------------------------------------High school is supposed to be the best years of your life. It’s a time for trying new things,
finding your place in the world, and meeting the love of your life…well, some of the best years
of your life at least. But Sandy Dumbrowski was not expecting these new things to be cigarettes,
wine, and pierced ears. And she was certainly not expecting to find her place as a greaser girl.
But when it’s for the love of the dreamy Danny Zuko- well, it’s all worth it, right? Albert
Einstein High School energetically presented Sandy’s rollercoaster ride through her senior year
in this delightful production of Grease.
Grease, written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, opened as a full musical on Broadway in 1972
to huge success. Its original run was nominated for seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Subsequent adaptations have also enjoyed booming popularity, particularly the 1978 movie
which introduced new songs to the already well-beloved show. Based primarily off of the 1950s
working-class youth culture, the story follows ten teenage “greasers” through their intertwined
experiences as they attempt to steer through the difficulties of life and love in their senior year of
high school.
All ten of the main cast must be commended for their unique and interesting choices. Each
created a distinct individual, which caused the audience to invest in the characters as well as
added to the group dynamic. The tight-knit friends had good chemistry as a whole, and their
genuine interactions sculpted the heart and soul of the show.
Danny (Eric Teran) was truly a triple threat with his swaggering confidence, breathtaking voice,
and impressive dancing. His magnetic presence lit up the stage, drawing attention with his
staggering bravado. Teran also pulled off his strong, soulful falsetto with brash tenacity and
remarkable energy, imbuing his songs with a soulful rock-and-roll aura. His leading lady, the
prim and proper Sandy (Abigail Kullberg), also possessed a remarkable voice.
The tough and vulgar leader of the Pink Ladies, Betty Rizzo, was played with bold spunk by
Rebecca Bradley. Her zealous characterization was superb, displaying a sarcastic demeanor and
edgy tone. Roger (Carlos Castillo) was another fearless standout. His cheeky performance was
absolutely hilarious, particularly in his entertaining song “Mooning”. The awkward Doody
(Noah Habenstreit) and the ditzy Frenchy (Lydia Tefera) made a lovable pair; their clumsy
interactions were as riotously hysterical as their individual moments.
Due to the vast array of talent showcased in the production, even those in the smaller roles shone
with amazing performances. The amusingly nerdy Eugene (Declan Enright) dedicated himself to
his ridiculous character with unbelievably funny physicality and a perfectly squeaky voice. Cha
Cha DiGregorio was also played with thrilling panache, her precise and blatantly in-your-face
dance technique revealed during “Hand Jive”.
The technical elements of the production were satisfactory as a whole. Lights provided many
visually amazing effects, adding to the flashy nature of the show. The set was full of eye-popping
color and was fluidly adjusted from scene to scene. Hair and make-up also had a pleasing
overall look with period appropriate styling. Frenchy’s hair was particularly impressive, utilizing
wigs to make her locks shift in color as the story progressed.
Whether or not they’re the best years of life, high school is certainly unforgettable. With
stunning vocalists, comical interactions, and vivid tech, Albert Einstein High School treated the
audience to a fun-loving and enjoyable production of Grease.
by Emma Paquette of McLean High School
--------------------------------------------------
Teenagers dance jubilantly across the stage, chattering and laughing amongst themselves.
However, instead of skinny jeans and hoodies, they are bedecked in poodle skirts and leather
jackets. The music floating around is not Justin Bieber or Miley Cyrus, but Elvis Presley and
Johnny Cash. Phrases like “Hey, Daddy-O” and “Word from the Bird” are tossed back and forth
in expeditious repartee. No, these are not the teens of today— they are the students of 1950s
Rydell High, in Albert Einstein High School’s exuberant production of “Grease.”
“Grease,” created by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, premiered on Broadway in 1972 and ran for
a record breaking 3,388 performances. It was later adapted into a hit movie starring Olivia
Newton-John and John Travolta. “Grease,” set in 1959, follows a motley crew of teenagers as
they fall in (and out) of love. It centers around the straight-laced Sandy Dumbrowski and the
smooth Danny Zuko as they struggle with their inherent identities and values, attempting to
transcend conventional social boundaries and cultivate a relationship. The musical, with a 1950s
rock-and-roll score, also explores issues such as teenage pregnancy and adolescent rebellion.
At the helm of the show were Abigail Kullberg and Eric Teran as Sandy and Danny. The pair
effortlessly conveyed the quintessential teenage tug-of-war between who their characters wanted
to be and who their characters truly were. Kullberg embodied the naiveté and effervescent
optimism of Sandy in perfect juxtaposition to Teran’s slick, savvy Danny Zuko. Teran displayed
pitch-perfect vocals and estimable range in songs such as “Alone at a Drive-In Movie” and “All
Choked Up,’ doing a remarkable job switching between Danny’s softer, more honest side and his
lady-killer persona.
Supplementing the two leads was a kaleidoscopic cast of supporting characters. Carlos Castillo,
as Roger, caused innumerable bouts of laughter with impeccable comedic timing and an
exaggerated physicality, while Rebecca Bradley balanced acidic barbs of sardonic humor and
sobering moments of self-actualization with panache as the saucy Rizzo. Playing the bubbly
Frenchy, Lydia Tefera exemplified girlish excitability and believably demonstrated the
vacillating nature of her character. One prominent standout was Noah Habenstreit, who
portrayed the dorky, bumbling Doody. His endearingly awkward speech mannerisms and babyfaced conviviality were only surpassed in delightfulness by his charming voice, in songs such as
“Those Magic Changes.” Also noteworthy was David Toro as the charismatic singer Johnny
Casino. Toro, despite being sight impaired, sang and danced with confidence and passion,
bringing his seeing-eye dog onstage to help guide him.
The tech elements of the production augmented the bright, effulgent ambiance of the show. The
set comprised of two platforms connected by a bridge, painted in a neo-plasticism style, as well
as several creative movable pieces that designated different scene locations. The hair was done
exceptionally well, with realistic wigs and aesthetically pleasing bobs and curls, all appropriate
for the 1950s time period. The scene changes were brief and unobtrusive, and the sound
managed the numerous microphones admirably, with only a few noticeable issues.
To be done well, "Grease” requires abounding enthusiasm, lighthearted playfulness, and limitless
energy, all of which Albert Einstein High School’s cast had in spades. The principals and the
ensemble alike brimmed with dynamism, belting out well-known numbers such as “Summer
Nights” and “We Go Together” with fervor. And, though the teens of “Grease” may have been
unhappy being stuck at old Rydell High, the audience most certainly wasn't.
by Jordan Goodson of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
-------------------------------------------------Snow might still be melting here in the Washington area, but the “Summer Nights” at Albert
Einstein High School’s performance of Grease are sizzling. Einstein Stage’s production was no
exception, infusing a fresh exuberance into a fan favorite.
When it debuted in 1971, Grease, created by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, was a much more
serious show than the fun-loving musical audiences know today. Originally, Grease was a vulgar
look at two groups of teens: the “Burger Palace Boys” and their female counterparts, the “Pink
Ladies”. Although filled with the usual teen heartbreak and loss, earlier productions of Grease
put their focus on the weightier elements of the show, such as teenage pregnancy and gang
warfare. Over time, Grease has evolved into a fun-loving 1950s-era classic that entertains
audiences of all ages and Albert Einstein’s production was no exception. Centered on teens
Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski, Grease features the complicated situations and problems
they have to navigate to keep their friendship and relationship alive. Along with both popular
supporting characters such as Kenickie, Roger, Rizzo, and Frenchy, and memorable numbers
such as “Greased Lightning” and “Summer Nights”, Einstein’s production was exactly what
viewers from all around love it for: it’s just plain fun.
Although Albert Einstein’s production of Grease was filled with hilarious acting and impressive
vocals, the catchy and familiar tunes everyone knows so well would have been left out to dry
without the indispensable supplementation of the “Rydell High School Dance Band”. Despite
being placed onstage and clearly visible throughout the show, the orchestra never detracted from
the actors onstage. Although a few weaker singers were mildly overpowered by their sound, it
didn’t weaken the show as a whole, and was absolutely understandable when listening to that
classic Grease sound that everyone loves.
Eric Teran expertly portrayed Danny Zuko, leader of the “Burger Palace Boys” and Sandy’s love
interest. Although he performed what was obviously well-rehearsed choreography with an
almost robot-like precision, Teran added his own style and flair to the moves, adding an
undeniable charisma to his character. And while some actors had problems with pitch and
enunciation, Teran remained on-key and clear throughout the entire show, an admirable feat.
When the stage version of Grease debuted in 1971, it was, and still remains, a show filled with
numerous wisecracks and laughs, as well as catchy tunes that all can enjoy. However, that
doesn’t mean that characters require any less attention or respect from the actor playing them,
and Carlos Castillo in the role of Roger was a perfect example of that. Although many of the
Burger Palace Boys were noisy and raunchy, Castillo played that kind of character with a
vulnerability that added a new element to the crass teen character often seen onstage. This
decision, while a risk, was solidified by the fact that the character choices he made were
consistent and clear throughout the show. Castillo should also be noted for his hysterical
rendition of “Mooning”, which was filled with physical comedy and some daring onstage moves
that absolutely brought the house down.
A seamless blend of creative vigor and attention given to the classic elements of the original,
Albert Einstein High School’s Grease was a delightful performance that reminded young and old
alike why this musical delights everywhere and anywhere.
by Andrew Rhee of Langley High School
-------------------------------------------------Flashback to your senior year in high school: rock n’ roll and your summer romance are the only
things that seem to matter. With a visit to Albert Einstein High School’s production of “Grease”,
they’re the only things that do matter.
“Grease,” the fourteenth-longest running show in the history of Broadway, was first written by
long-time friends Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Since its original production in 1971 Chicago,
the show has garnered numerous awards and undergone multiple revivals. After several decades,
though, it still brings viewers back to the carefree nature of the 1950s.
In the musical, good girl Sandy Dumbrowski (Abigail Kullberg) and greaser Danny Zuko (Eric
Teran) unexpectedly find themselves at the same high school after a summer romance. The
musical follows the two lovebirds as they try to change themselves for each other.
Aside from nearly flawless vocals and impressive dance moves, Teran’s dedication to his
character, Danny Zuko, guided the show throughout the night. He brought to the audience a fully
developed, dynamic character, making every transition or change in his character evident
through clear facial expressions and inflections in both his speaking and singing voice.
Accompanying Zuko was the Burger Palace gang, or his “T-Boys.” But their leather jackets and
slicked back hair weren’t the only contributing factors to a convincing depiction of a typical
group of greasers. Their interaction with each other and other characters on stage made for
natural, raw emotion. Through Doody's (Noah Habenstreit) comic relief and Roger's (Carlos
Castillo)energetic dance numbers, these actors looked like they were sincerely enjoying every
moment on stage.
Countering each greaser was a Pink Lady. This clique of girlfriends introduced Sandy into their
world through boy talk, chugs of alcohol, and dangerous ear piercings. Behind the risqué
behavior, though, the girls revealed through dulcet voices and radiating smiles their true
characters. The Pink Ladies successfully distinguished their roles from each other, evidently
having focused on characterization. Frenchy's (Lydia Tefera) spunky personality spoke to the
audience – from high school, to beauty school, and back again – and even Betty Rizzo (Rebecca
Bradley) may have managed to convince viewers to condone her behavior in her solo, “There are
Worse Things I Could Do.”
The larger ensemble also brought unmistakable vivacity and enthusiasm to the stage. With
numbers like “Shakin' at the High School Hop” and ”We Go Together,” the chorus was engaging
songs and their passionate delivery was enjoyable in both sound and visuals. One standout was
Miss Lynch, played by Michiko Feehan. Though her appearances were brief and interspersed
throughout the musical, they never failed to bring laughs along with them.
Framing the performers was a creatively and cleverly designed two-level set, which the
performers took full advantage of, spreading themselves out throughout the stairs and second
level. The crew had clearly thought out the design of the stage, as both the elaborate set and
intricate props embellished the cast's performance. Though there were a few sound problems
scattered throughout the night, the overall sound was clear and the cast and crew did not let the
technological difficulties hinder an entertaining night.
Though “Grease” is complete with edgy topics and daring dance moves, the cast and crew of
Albert Einstein High School didn’t let anything confine them – they went all out. And the best
thing of all - they weren’t trying to reveal a hidden message through the flying poodle skirts and
glossy, greased hair. They were just being high school students – and it worked.
by Tahmina Achekzai of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
-------------------------------------------------Sandy & Danny. Rizzo & Kenickie. Frenchy & Doody. Were you born to hand jive? Albert
Einstein High School’s Grease was certainly prepared.
Grease, the brain-child of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, was a rockin’ 1972 musical before
emerging on the big screen just six years later, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. It
has been a West End and Broadway sensation, following multiple teenage love stories that deal
with rebellion, love, and other adolescent criteria of the 1950s. One plotline follows the fashion
curious Frenchy, a high school dropout with a budding romance between the hopeful, musically
ambitious Doody. Another plotline follows Rizzo, leader of the bubblegum-toned Pink Ladies
who pursues adult interests with Kenickie, the tough, second-in-command to The Burger Palace
Boys. And then there’s Sandy, the new girl. The virgin. The good one. Naturally she falls for
Danny, the school womanizer and leader of The Burger Palace Boys. In the end though, all
couples end up satisfied despite their challenges and eventual resolution.
Sly-talking Danny Zuko was played by multitalented Eric Teran. His comedic styles and smooth
vocals were a classic tribute to the musical’s style of blues and rock n’ roll. Teran is admirable
for daring to reach for notes beyond the standard high school capacity in songs such as “Alone
At A Drive In Movie” and “Summer Nights”.
Though some on-stage couples lacked to portray their “hots” for each other, Frenchy (Lydia
Tefera) and Doody (Noah Habenstreit) could embrace their sweet puppy-love. Both actors had
consistent characterization, constantly aiming for a life of happiness outside of high school.
Numbers such as “Those Magic Changes” and “Beauty School Dropout” highlight their youthful
ambitions.
Playing Betty Rizzo, Rebecca Bradley was laudable during numbers such as “There Are Worse
Things I Could Do,” showing off her vocal range in the midst of conflicting emotions and
daunting circumstances. Another commendable cast member was Carlos Castillo as Roger who,
during “Mooning”, was perfectly child-like and proud to display his derriere – a brave act that
certainly tickled the audience.
Other sources of laughter were Michiko Feehan as Miss Lynch and Declan Enright as Eugene
Florczyk. Feehan and Enright were a delight as they stuck true to their characters and made
various silent appearances that matched the difficult balance of stealing the show without being
distracting.
While this ensemble was large and full of energy, few were able to stand out from the rest. Teen
Angel (Marc Cioffi) was superb and mastered his few moments of spotlight in “Beauty School
Dropout”. Cha-Cha DiGregorio (Jassim Conteh), was a show-stopper full of extravagance and
spice during “Born To Hand Jive”. Also during this number, David Toro was able to show off
his rough yet sultry vocals as Johnny Casino. Toro did not let a visual impediment stop him from
taking vocal command nor from handling a well-behaved Seeing Eye dog.
This production’s set was colorful and functional in presenting the raging world of Grease and
was handled warmly by the stage crew. Props, too, were handled professionally well. Marketing
the show also saw great strides, contributing to the show’s star-like quality. Make-up was smooth
and period appropriate, while lighting was interesting throughout various points in the musical
despite lacking some basic techniques.
Though Grease has been done time and time again, Albert Einstein High School’s delivery
matched the static attitudes of its counterparts. The audience was left, indeed, “All Choked Up.”
by Maya Wesby of Duke Ellington School of the Arts
-------------------------------------------------Going to a new high school is always hard, especially when everybody randomly breaks into
song and dance at any given time. On Saturday night, March 10nth, Einstein theatre performed
the musical Grease, which is the exact kind of high school where that would happen. Originally
written by Jim Jacobs, which was based off his high school years in Chicago. It was debuted in
1972, in off Broadway, later to be brought to Broadway for an eight year run, one of the longest
runs in history. It communicates the struggle to fit in, and lost love, through tunes that’ll be stuck
in your head for ages.
The burger palace boys and pink ladies would be proud of the way the way they were portrayed
by the actors and actresses of the Einstein theatre group. Although the energy seemed to lower as
the night went on, the voices never faltered. One particularly talented vocalist was Eric Teran,
who played Danny Zuko. He demonstrated amazing vocal range throughout the night, hitting all
the right notes, while staying in character. He created great chemistry with Abigail Kullberg,
who played his opposite Sandy Dumbrowski. Another standout was Rebecca Bradley, who
played Betty Rizzo. She held an ever-present grimace, while delivering her lines with sass and
malice. Usually the person who took the blows was Kenickie, who was played by Daniel Zucker.
HE brought life and energy to the stage, taking the house down with his rendition of grease
lightning. Even when he made a slight mistake, he took it in stride and stayed in character,
making it look like it was scripted.
The tech of the show was well don and professional, but sometimes off kilter. The lighting in
music numbers was cleverly used to emphasize who was singing, but at other points was lighting
the stage with a seemingly random color. The mics didn’t seem to agree as much with the actors
on stage, mics would fade in and out dropping important or funny lines. But the band was heard
loud and clear, wonderfully playing the songs that we’ve come to love. The Einstein publicity
crew went all out for this production. Jukeboxes could be seen from the windows, poster of black
and white photographs of the characters littered the walls of the hallways, and a rack of Grease
sweatshirts were stationed at the entrance of the theatre. The set was done amazingly, and
obvious that a lot of hard work had been put into it.
Grease is probably the most famous musical in history, and will probably be done for a long
time. Einstein high school is one that did a fantastic job, a cast and crew of future stars. I look
forward to their future productions.
by Daley Jennings of Falls Church High School
-------------------------------------------------In the early 70s, a story emerged of the working class teenagers in the late fifties called Greasers
and their dramatic High School lives. This developed into one the most famous and popular
musicals of all time Grease in which 10 characters go through the ups and downs of life as a
student at Rydell High, with the plot centered on a love story between Sandy Dumbrowski and
Danny Zuko. Albert Einstein High School took on this stylized classic on March 9th and brought
the energy of the greasers and pink ladies to life.
The production opened with a bang with a wonderful rendition of Summer Nights and a
particularly impressive final note sung by Eric Teran. Another standout performance was
Rebecca Bradley as Rizzo who had strong character development and truly stood out during her
two solos. Michiko Feehan was impressive in her performance as Miss Lynch, the old uptight
Rydell English Teacher. Feehan brought comedy and consistency to her role. The energy dipped
in the second act, though the actors fought to hold on to it, many numbers came off as messy
after intermission.
The technical portion of the show was not quite up to par with the production. There were
numerous mike issues and it was often difficult to hear the actors. The lighting also did not quite
highlight the focus points of the scenes. However, two standout numbers where the lighting
improved the action were Summer Nights and Grease Lightning. The set was colorful and
visually appealing, however, it did not quite fit the fifties style. One interesting set feature was
that how the jazz band was showing in full view upstage and was brought downstage for the
school dance scene.
Overall, Einstein’s production of Grease was impressive for the cast as a whole. There were
many standout ensemble members and it appeared as though character work was encouraged for
the entire cast not just the leads. These characterizations lead to an overall convincing show that
was held back from its true potential by energy issues and some technical difficulties. Still the
youthful energy of Grease was still there and the audience had an enjoyable night at the theater.
by Sophia Carbonell of Flint Hill School
-------------------------------------------------The leader of Rydell High’s Burger Palace Boys, and the newest and wariest member of their
counter parts, The Pink Ladies. What do they have in common? Well summer love of course.
That, along with an array of fifties pop songs made up Albert Einstein High School’s energyfilled production of Grease.
Grease was written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey in 1972 and follows the lives of ten high
schoolers as they find love and who they are. Grease was the longest running show of the 1980s
and despite its subpar reviews from critics, it always left the audience energized and singing
along. The most famous adaption of Grease is by far the movie made in 1978, starring John
Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.
The bad boy of Rydell High School, Danny Zuko, played by Eric Teran has a summer romance
with shy girl Sandy Dumbrowski, played by Abigail Kullberg and when he goes back to school
he gets a shock when Sandy, who is supposed to be at boarding school, is attending Rydell.
Teran had great stage presence from the moment he entered and shocked the audience with his
beautiful contemporary voice which was showcased best in the songs, “Summer Nights” and
“Alone at the Drive In”, and fit his role perfectly.
The supporting Burger Palace Boys were also stand out performers, adding a playful air of
comedy to every scene they were a part of. Doody, played by Noah Habenstreit, is the
misunderstood and youngest member of the Burger Palace Boys and puts on a bad boy façade
even though he is actually very sweet and nervous around girls. Habenstreit did a great job with
his characterization as the youngest of the group and surprised the audience with his impressive
and strong vocals when he went into his falsetto. Also, Roger, played by Carlos Castillo, is the
prankster of the Burger Palace Boys and develops feelings and eventually a relationship with
Jan. Castillo had wonderful physical comedy using his somewhat awkward body positions to his
advantage especially in the song, “Mooning”.
The group of female supporting characters that made up the Pink Ladies also added a playfulness
and comedy to the scenes they were featured in. Betty Rizzo, played by Rebecca Bradley, is the
Debby Downer and bad girl of The Pink Ladies and throughout the show develops relationships
with a few of the Burger Palace Boys. Bradley did a superb job with her characterization being
the hard-shelled person that Rizzo is, but also showing off Rizzo’s soft side in her song, “There
are Worse Things I Could do”. Also, Frenchy, played by Lydia Tefera, is a high school dropout
who has an accident at beauty school and eventually becomes a “beauty school dropout”. Tefera
did a phenominal job in her characterization, always having a distinct voice and air about her that
embodied her character totally.
The ensemble numbers were also a highlight of the show including: “Grease Lightning”, “We go
Together”, and “Shakin’ at the High School Hop”. Every member of the ensemble had great
energy whether they were dancing, singing, or extras in a scene.
The set created by the Einstein Stage Crew fit the 50s pop vibe that is necessary for Grease. The
hanging Grease sign added a great focal point for the stage and was lit in various interesting
ways that only added to its spectacle.
Albert Einstein High School’s production was full of energy from all cast members and delighted
the audience, having them singing along and dancing around in their seats.
by Corinne MacLean of Freedom High School
-------------------------------------------------Take a crowd of inspired, curious, and sex-crazed teenagers, thrown into the inferno of high
school, in the middle of a town where the angst is set to boil. Now infuse some 1950's youth
subculture, some crazy characters and tuneful songs, and you've got yourself Albert Einstein
High School's production of Grease.
Grease the musical follows the story of Danny Zuko (Eric Teran) and Sandy Dumbrowski
(Abigail Kullberg). Danny and Sandy have just finished their summer romance when they find
each other again at Rydell High School, having thought that Sandy was to return to Australia at
the end of the summer. The reunion isn't too passionate; Danny brushes Sandy off because she
isn't cool enough to be the girlfriend of the leader of the Burger Palace Boys. After such
heartbreak, Sandy tries to befriend the cool girls at Rydell: the Pink Ladies. In doing so, she
rubs elbows with perhaps the raunchiest of American teenage girls, including Betty Rizzo
(Rebecca Bradley), Marty (Anna Toretsky), Jan (Quiana Jewell), and Frenchy (Lydia Tefera).
While the rest of the musical does focus on Danny and Sandy ironing out their relationship, the
show skips from character to character, showcasing the Greaser subculture of the 1950's.
Lead performances were well-received, especially in the case of Eric Teran (Danny Zuko).
Teran continuously graced the stage with convincing energy and engaging character, not to
mention strong vocal talent. Abigail Kullberg (Sandy Dumbrowski) was also able to immerse
herself in her character as the confused new girl at Rydell High who blossoms into a Pink Lady.
Secondary characters were also came to life: Lydia Tefera (Frenchy), Rebecca Bradley (Betty
Rizzo), Daniel Zucker (Kenickie), and Carlos Castillo (Roger). Together, these performers
created a believable world that took the audience back to the days of Greasers and Pink Ladies.
These actors' voices and character were consistent and on-point, a true joy to behold. Aside from
them, some supporting characters proved slightly weaker and detracted slightly from the overall
impact of the show.
Grease also contained several featured actors and ensemble members to complete the world.
Notable performances included Michiko Feehan (Miss Lynch), who periodically would spice up
the show with her hilarious character and stage presence. Noah Habenstreit (Doody) also stole
the hearts of many audience members in his song "Those Magic Changes," and continued to do
so for the duration of the show. Also among these star performers was David Toro (Johnny
Casino), who surprised the audience with his song "Born to Hand Jive," a true crowd-pleaser.
The ensemble as a whole did well to commit to the atmosphere both of the place and era, making
energy with great ease and very creative stage pictures.
Tech elements of the show were laudable, though none of the set seemed particularly
challenging, the direction to place the pit orchestra upstage instead of offstage was a creative and
eye-catching choice.
Tackled marvelously by students, Albert Einstein's production of Grease was a beauty.
by Hershel Holiday of Freedom High School
-------------------------------------------------Taking you back to the time of drive-ins, poodle skirts, and the classic love story of boy meets
girl is the beloved musical: Grease. The show has been around for a little over 40 years and is
still a hit: having multiple revivals, international tours, a memorable movie, and a sequel. Grease
was definitely the word over at Albert Einstein High School on Saturday night.
The original production was put on by director June Pyskacek at the Kingston Mines Theater in
Chicago in 1971. A revised version of the show was then written by Jim Jacobs and Warren
Casey before moving to an off-Broadway theater and, eventually, Broadway. Centering around a
couple, Sandy and Danny, and their friends, the Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys, the story
explores the lives of the class of '59 at Rydell High School. Going through the story of many
interesting love triangles, pregnancy scares, gang rumbles, and difficulties with high school,
Grease is filled with many comedic moments and upbeat musical numbers.
Opening with the iconic number Summer Nights, the Albert Einstein cast warped the audience
into the magic of the 50s. Eric Teran, in the role of Danny Zucko, had one of the best
performances of the night, his voice was so smooth and extremely enjoyable to listen too.
Rebecca Bradley, in the role of Betty Rizzo, had a stand out performance as well. Her
embodiment of the confident and cool character was perfect for the show. Everything from her
voice to her use of choreography helped create her character to the point where the audience
couldn't think of her as anything but Betty Rizzo.
Lydia Tefera was the adorable, beauty school-drop out Frenchy who embraced her character of
being Sandy's best friend as well as being a stand out dancer. Jassim Conteh's moments onstage
as Cha-Cha DiGregorio were also entertaining to watch, especially with her comical character
choices. Other noticable performances include Noah Habenstreit (Doody), Carlos Castillo
(Roger) and David Toro (Johnny Casino).
There were some technical problems such as sound, which sometimes cut off lines or created to
much noise onstage, and lighting prohibited parts of the show from reaching their full potential.
Props for the show,although, were impressive and useful in scenes they were used for,
specifically the iconic car in Grease Lighting.
Other than a couple tech problems, the cast really created an enjoyable night and showed their
love for sock hops, music, and greasers.
by Meena Knowles of Freedom High School
-------------------------------------------------Impressive costumes, dazzling sets and an energetic radio broadcaster is what you've got
yourself in Albert Einstein's production of "Grease!"
“Grease,” written by Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs, premiered on Broadway in 1972 and was
later revived in 2007. Set in the 1950s fictional school Rydell High, Grease shows the story of
good-girl Sandy Dumbrowski (Abigail Kullberg) and high school’s bad-boy heartthrob Danny
Zuko (Eric Terran) as they struggle to face the complicated complexities of love, friends and
growing up in high school.
Sitting down for the show I was extremely impressed with the professionalism shown by the
school. Unfortunately, the non attention grabbing opening moment was something I found was a
respectable attempt to be different but ended up being rather confusing. Luckily, it was followed
by a wonderful opening moment once the lights went down with an effortful video that I believe
did a good job of attempting to set the time period.
The stand out ensemble number "Summer Nights" succeeded in capturing the audiences attention
and dazzling us. Immediately making us say, "This will be good!" During this song we realized
that Teran's incredible vocal ability would be something to watch out for throughout the show.
Teran commanded the stage with his never fading energy and captivating voice, in doing this, he
managed to outshine others on stage.
The supporting role of Frenchy (Lydia Tefera) was a breathe of fresh air whenever she would
come into a scene. Her strong characterization and specific character choices were impressive.
The highly anticipated "Beaty School Dropout" was very well done. The ensemble held their
own and made sure to support the sparkling singer on stage and the stunned Frenchy. Frenchy
was definitely a character I always had my eye on, and she never disappointed.
The Pink Ladies and The Burger Palace Boys had remarkable energy and fully grasped their
characters’ ambitions. Even when not in the spotlight, these ensembles were always involved and
commanded attention. They did a remarkable job and played off of each other’s reactions
through the whole show.
The technical aspects of “Grease” also helped carry the show to great heights. Each member of
the stage crew made each transition through scenes move smoothly and did a wonderful job of
attempting to keep the energy up. The microphones helped carry out the actor’s voices, though at
times it was a bit hard to hear. Also, most of the actors did a good job projecting even when the
microphones would cut out. When this did happen the actors never let it show to the audience
which was very impressive.
The jazz band on stage was incredible from the second they began to play. Never missing a beat
and keeping pitch even when the actors on stage would often stray.
Overall I felt the actors did a wonderful job with such a well known show that obviously allowed
most of the audience to hold high expectations. While the show obviously called for a cast full of
high energy, dedicated actors it was apparent that it had stand out performances. Unfortunately,
at times I found myself waiting for these stand outs to reappear. I commend the cast for
attempting such a physically demanding show and give them a pat on the back for taking on such
a tough show. Job well attempted Einstein S.T.A.G.E.
by Shelly Walsh of Freedom High School
-------------------------------------------------When blissful “summer lovin’” meets the pressure of high school stereotypes, teenage angst, and
silly cliques, Albert Einstein High Schools rendition of the much loved musical Grease perfectly
portrays the results.
Grease, written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, is the 14th longest running show on
Broadway, with 3,388 performances. The movie version was also widely successful, starring
John Travolta as Danny, and Olivia Newton-John as Sandy. The sweet and yet challenging love
stories of high school seniors, as well as the social issues addressed such as teen pregnancy and
gang activity, are part of what make Grease charming and relatable for all audiences.
Eric Teran and Abigail Kullberg co-starred as Danny and Sandy respectively, bringing to life an
honest yet difficult teenage love. Kullberg accurately portrayed Sandy as innocent yet troubled,
still in love with the boy she met over the summer, but disgusted by the stigma placed upon him
by his friends. Teran enchanted and excited the audience from the very first note he sang, with
gorgeous tone and stylization that caused many a swoon from the girls in the crowd. Teran was
a triple threat, singing, dancing and acting with precision, energy and believability.
There were many strong vocal contributors to the show, however, a few standouts being Noah
Habenstreit, Carlos Castillo, Daniel Zucker, and Marc Cioffi as Doody, Roger, Kenickie and
Teen Angel. Habenstreit not only pleased the audience with his voice, but with his hilarious
comedy, highlighting the awkward and goofy temperament of his character. Castillo had the
audience in stitches with his song “Mooning,” and the ridiculous dancing that went along with it.
Zucker and the ensemble in the favored hit “Greased Lightning” had the audience dancing in
their seats with pleasure at such a lively number. Cioffi’s voice enthralled many with his range
and tonality.
Strong and comical character choices came from Rebecca Bradley (Rizzo) and Lydia Tefera
(Frenchy) who were also crowd favorites, lighting up the stage with their presence, and
consistently developing their characters in a show where it would be easy to let them remain one
dimensional.
The ensemble added energy and vivacity to the world of Rydell High, singing beautifully and
impressing the audience, despite the problems with hearing the group.
As vibrant and colorful as the students that make it up, the Rydell High set was impressive and
pleasing to the eye. With the pit located up center stage, it brought a personal and welcoming
feeling to the viewers. The Grease sign that was lit up even during darkened scene changes was
widely noticed, as a nice touch to the already notable set.
Einstein S.T.A.G.E.’s performance of Grease was unforgettable and raw, really encapsulating the
world of the Rydell High class of 1959.
by Taylor Del Vecchio of Freedom High School
-------------------------------------------------Ah. Grease. The original high school musical, so saccharine it'll give you a cavity. These two
factors contribute to its being one of the most oft-produced shows in the high school repertoire.
This can be a double edged sword; on one edge theatre goers are familiar with Grease and
willing to go see it, on the other the same theatre goers are quite likely to have very high
standards concerning a show with which they are so familiar. Happily, Albert Einstein High
School's production of the nostalgic 80's musical about the 50's met and perhaps exceeded the
level of quality expected from it.
For the two remaining troglodytes who have managed to evade it, Grease is a love story set at
fictional Rydell High School, in a geographically indeterminate area, school year 1958-1959.
Sandra Dumbrowski, played by Abigail Kullberg, and Danny Zuko, played by Eric Teran have
just returned to school for their senior year following a passionate but fleeting summer romance.
Unbeknownst to each other they have both returned to Rydell. The remainder of the show is
devoted to the two circling each other romantically, until they ultimately end up together. A
colorful cast of high school stereotypes support and foil them carrying on their own affairs.
The production was set up with a main stage with a platform above reached by opposing twin
staircases. These were used quite well to unify and divide action occurring around them, the
areas immediately next to the stairs often becoming rooms with the addition of a few props,
while the platform was used to greatest effect by Michiko Feehan in her role as Miss Lynch, a
kill joy English teacher to both dramatize and humanize her character, always resulting in
laughter, although Marc Cioffi's Teen Angel was also well placed upon it. The Burger Palace
Boys and the Pink Ladies, were the highlights of the show, comic timing and interaction being
the greatest of their strengths. Of the Ladies, Rizzo, as traditional,stood out as the strongest,
Rebecca Bradley combining well strength, sass, and vulnerability. Of the boys, Roger AKA
Rump, played by Carlos Castillo was the most consistently great, his mobile face portraying well
the mixture of bravado and self-amazement that boys in groups seem to embody. The stage crew
moved like Greased Lightning, and the lighting captured well the pastel ambiance of the script.
Grease is the Word!
by Alexander Warren of George Mason High School
-------------------------------------------------"I got chills, they're multiplying!". That is a lyric from the movie version of the musical Grease
that accurately describes the feeling I got when I watched Albert Einstein High School's
production of Grease. Grease is the story of fictional Rydell High's senior class of 1959. They
have a rough start to the year, when summer flames Sandy Dumbrowski (played by Abigail
Kullberg), and Danny Zuko (played by Eric Teran) discover that the easy passion of the summer
doesn't quite come as smoothly when put in to the hormone soaked Rydell High. The pressure
from their different friend groups and Sandy's conservative upbringing causes a rift between the
two lovers. As the musical progresses both of the lovers learn that they need to change a little to
be with one that they love, and that that change really isn't a bad thing. This is on top pf a few
other plot lines involving every member of "The Pink Ladies" a group headed by the snarling
and worldly Betty Rizzo (played convincingly by Rebecca Bradley), and the Burger Palace
Boys. These two groups, after dealing with issues like teen pregnancy, and dropping out of both
High School and beauty School pair off to from cute couples whom live presumably happily ever
after.
What made this production such a strong showing was a solid cast from top to bottom. The
ensemble was just as committed as the leads. The dancing was energetic, the singing was
gorgeous, and everyone looked like they were having a good time just being fifties teens. The
ensemble formed a great base for this giant cast pyramid and the next level had to be the featured
actors and actresses, the best of whom were definitely Cha-Cha DiGregorio, and Eugene
Florzyck, played by Jassim Conteh, and Declan Enright respectively. The penultimate level of
the casting pyramid is made up of the fabulous Pink Ladies and the goofy and gangly Burger
Palace Boys. Stand out from these two stellar ensembles include Frenchy, (played to the hilt by
Lydua Tefera), the hard bitten Rizzo,(the amazing Rebecca Bradley), and Doody the gangly bard
of the group (played by Noah Habenstreit). The point of the pyramid is occupied by our two star
crossed lovers, Sandra D and Danny Zuko. Eric Teran's voice set the standard for not only for
the show, but also for every High School musical that I see from now on. He was simply
amazing. Abigail Kullberg's performance was simple and sincere, making great acting choices
throughout.
Overall the show was wonderful, with not only a great cast, but a very colorful and functional set
as well. The stage crew did a great job with scene transitions as well as the car.
by Joseph Warren of George Mason High School
-------------------------------------------------The 1950’s: Crazy clothes, Funky music, and—“Grease Lightning”? That’s right, Albert Einstein
High School presents the American Rock ‘N Roll classic, Grease. Everyone knows the classic
1978 staring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, but not as many people have seen the
raunchy, 1971 Rock ‘N Roll musical the movie is based on. This original musical by Jim Jacobs
and Warren Casey follows the greasy lives of some Rydell High’ students in the late 1950’s. But
the story isn’t the same fun loving high school love story that the movie portrays; it tackles adult
themes such as sexual exploration, teen pregnancy, and even gang violence.
The story begins with a gang of boys—known as Greasers—telling each other about their
summers. Danny Zuko (Eric Teran) tells his friends how he hooked up with a babe named
Sandy, but that they were separated and could never see each other again. A few feet away on the
girls side of the cafeteria sits the Pink Ladies with their new member, Sandy Dumbrowski
(Abigail Kullberg). Both Danny and Sandy are unaware they now attend the same school, and
when they finally run into each other, pressure from his friends leads Danny ignore Sandy
completely.
Another one of the Pink Ladies, Betty Rizzo (Rebecca Bradley), then goes over to the other
Greasers and starts flirting with Kenickie (Daniel Zucker). This leads to the more mature story
line, as Rizzo ends up having to deal with teen pregnancy. Bradley portrays a strong and likable
character while she is speaking, and is a high point of energy throughout the whole show.
Another subplot is that of Roger (Carlos Castillo) and Jan (Quiana Jewell). Castillo creates a
hugely wacky and dorky character that is always trying to be funny. Aside from this, Castillo and
Jewell have easily the most believable relationship in the entire piece and it is wonderfully
refreshing.
In any musical, the singing is always a major factor that can make or break a show. It is
important for all the singers to have strong, confident voices throughout, but it is equally
important for them to maintain their characters while in the songs. Many of the singers had very
nice voices—especially Teran, who left the audience with goose bumps whenever he sang with
his near professional voice. But no mater how small the roll is, at is important that all characters
have a strong voice, or the show will fall flat. That is why is so lovely to here Castillo sing; even
though he has one of the smaller parts, he really has a wonderful voice that I wish I could hear
more.
Of course, tech is a crucial component of any show, especially musicals. The lighting should
complement the actors and the story, and the sound should pull us into the experience. The set
should also enhance the story, and that it does. The Einstein Stage Crew has put together a
beautiful multi-functional stage that is the most impressive aspect of the show. The makeup is
also really wonderful in how it adds to the story, like in Beauty School Drop Out, the Teen Angel
(Marc Cioffi) is dressed in total sparkles right down to glitter make up. It adds a lot to an already
impressive scene.
by Zak Gordon of H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program
-------------------------------------------------Let's be honest: does anyone really know why the car flew away at the end of "Grease"? We may
not have an answer, but we did come across the energetic, stylistic, and enterprising production
at Albert Einstein High School!
The 1950s rock n' roll musical follows The Pink Ladies and the Burger Palace Boys, rebellious
teens interacting with each other as they endure challenges of love, friendship, and identity at
Rydell High School. Danny Zuko (Eric Teran) returns from a pleasant summer after falling for
Sandy Dumbrowski (Abigail Kullberg), but when she begins attending Rydell, Zuko finds
himself caught between his affections for Sandy and the stud image he upholds around his
friends. "Grease" premiered at the Kingston Mines Theatre in Chicago 1971, moving to
Broadway within a year to critical acclaim. The iconic 1978 film starring John Travolta and
Olivia Newton-John solidified "grease" into our mainstream culture, celebrated 40 years later.
Ensemble energy was entirely grand, nearly everybody reacting to each other in large settings.
Actions were defined clearly, and diligence was always present. The leads and supporting actors
particularly did fantastic jobs executing unique characterizations, whether it be snarky
comments, flirtatious behavior, or simple adolescent excitement.
Teran and Kullberg played the iconic Zuko and Dumbrowski. Both were electrifying vocalists,
Kullberg being a gifted belter to expand her stage presence, while Teran ranged from gentle
sincerity to captivating vocal ability. Teran exposed Zuko's vulnerability for Sandy with his
transitions from confidant greaser to genial boy when around Kullberg, who in contrasted with a
consistent shy and preserved attitude to show Sandy's insecurities and punctured emotions.
Carlos Castillo (Roger) stole the show with just a little flash of his "rump". Castillo's confidant,
fantastic personality created an enjoyable presence followed by chuckling laughter from his
hilarious swinging in "Mooning" to his juvenile comments. Castillo, along with the stellar Daniel
Zucker (Kenickie), convivial Noah Habenstreit (Doody), and solid Thomas Richards (Sonny)
had great physical expression with their over-the-top antics that made the show delightful. Also
demonstrating exuberant choices were the Pink Ladies. Lydia Tefera (Frenchy), was coherent
and believable as the bubbly, beauty school dropout. Her girly mannerisms, brisk walk, and
beaming smile made her an audience favorite. Rebecca Bradley (Betty Rizzo), always got laughs
with her dead-pan delivery and rebellious attitude. Bradley's stubborn behavior and brash diction
complimented her acting chops wholesomely. Quiana Jewell (Jan) and Ana Toretsky (Marty)
rounded out the ladies with their witty one-liners and attenuate performances.
Other standouts were Michiko Feehan, Declan Enright, and Jassim Conteh (Miss Lynch, Eugene
Florczyk, and Cha-Cha DiGregorio respectively). Each took their minimal stage time to create
palpable, potent characters with physical commitment, joyful facial expressions, and poignant
versatility.
Sound and lighting did have inconsistencies, but the actors handled them well and the techs
corrected issues quickly. Specific choices like violet scenic blends, bright strobe lights, and
spots enhanced the show's creativity. Make-up was period appropriate and plausible. The set was
flexible for scene changes and colorfully painted to match the rich energy of the 1950s.
Vibrant, groovy, and delightful, Albert Einstein High School gave a luscious, congenial
showcase of committed acting, commendable technical execution, and fervent gusto.
by Chris Hrozencik of Herndon High School
-------------------------------------------------The Rydell High School class of 1959 filled their days with classes, dates, dances, and drive-insall events often quite memorable for what would occasionally occur with a lack of parental
supervision. With such excitement of those golden days, the cast of Albert Einstein High School
brought an effervescent energy as well as a great musical capacity to the stage of Grease as
teenage characters discovered personal identities and new relationships in a blur of rock n’ roll,
leather jackets, and the comic relief that comes with such encounters.
Premiering in 1972 with music, lyrics, and book by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, Grease
encapsulates the quintessential 1950s high school romance as it follows the budding relationship
between leather jacket clad, Danny Zuko and the nieve Sandy Dumbrowski as well as focusing
on the fractious, teenage exploits of the other rambunctious students of Rydell High School.
Senior, Eric Teran, in his portrayal of Danny Zuko displayed a capacity for melodious vocals and
playing a character that encompassed aspects of a true leading man and a comic centerpiece.
Portraying the leader of “The Pink Ladies” gang and a portrait of teenage disaffection, Rizzo,
Rebecca Bradley, revealed a moment of genuine emotion and complexity for her occasionally
scurrilous character in the number, “There Are Worse Things I Could Do”.
Lydia Tefera as the lovable goof, Frenchy bared a novel, fresh approach to her comical, feminine
role. Her character’s dopey disposition did little to disguise the strength of her acting and vocals.
With the intentionally high inflection of her voice, each line delivered received copious laughter
from the audience. Another comic favorite, Roger, as portrayed by Carlos Castillo, wooed the
object of his onstage affection in an unconventional yet uproarious display of his hind quarters in
his character number, “Mooning”. With bold, comic execution, midway through the duration of
the piece, Castillo dropped his slacks, wagging his behind to the audience exploding with
laughter.
In her brief appearance as the adolescent vixen, Cha-Cha, Jassim Hazra Conteh earned and
obtained the full attention of all viewing with her self-assured stage presence. Conteh, strutting to
and fro as she apathetically blew large bubbles in her gum, exhibited a devotion to character as
well as a mastery of the choreography as shimmed next to lead, Eric Teran in the festive number,
“Born to Hand Jive”. Her adept skill in movement was accompanied by stellar vocals by David
Toro. Toro, with vocals reminiscent of those that would be heard flowing from a mid1950s
jukebox, instilled a desire to “hand jive” in all listening as he sang.
The set, a double set of stairs connected by a walkway walked designed with a vibrant block
pattern that set the intended jovial, juvenile tone of the show. Stage crew transitioned set pieces
such as the teenage automobile, “Grease Lightning” on and off seamlessly. In addition, in
numbers such as “Beauty School Dropout”, plot, props, and lightning joined in a masterful union
as hairspray was used a mist, creating a magical effect that fit ideally into the plot structure.
Although occasional lines were missed due to microphone malfunctions, in instances in which
instrumentals and vocals met, an appropriate balance was maintained the majority of the time.
With unparalleled enthusiasm, leads and ensembles wove a comic success with a thread
consisting of the strong vocals and characterization that anchored the production. Albert Einstein
High School students crafted a performance driven by solid energy throughout the entirety of the
two acts as they told a story relating to teenage audiences in any and all time period
by Lily Brock of Langley High School
-------------------------------------------------It’s the classic story of young love: two lovelorn teenagers find solace in each other’s arms in a
fleeting summertime romance, only to be torn apart when school—and reality—come calling in
the fall. Albert Einstein High School’s cast of “Grease” invites audiences to relive the timeless
musical favorite that follows the story of innocent Sandy Dumbrowski and bad-boy Danny Zuko.
Written in 1972 by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, “Grease” premiered onto the theater scene as
a raunchy, racy, and envelope-pushing musical that tackled a spectrum of big-ticket social issues,
such as teen pregnancy and gang violence while still focusing on topics central to adolescence:
rebellion, lust, love, and friendship. From a glance, “Grease” is nothing more than a provocative
do-wop musical that follows the trivial vicissitudes of high school romance. But at its heart,
“Grease” is emulative of classic 1950s rock and roll, and gives entertaining insight to the highs
and lows of young adulthood. Picking up where the summer left off, “Grease” tells the tale of the
wide-eyed new girl, Sandy Dumbrowski, and the legendary rebel-without-a-cause, Danny Zuko,
who met over the summer and are unexpectedly reunited in the halls of Rydell High School in
the fall. Although facing a new onslaught of challenges brought on by their unimpressed friends,
will Sandy and Danny be able to rekindle the love they once knew over those passionate
“Summer Nights”?
The cast of Albert Einstein High School’s performance of “Grease” was bursting with energy
and conveyed a strong stage presence. The large ensemble shone throughout the production,
displaying impressively in-sync choreography for a cast of such large proportions. Leading
actors exhibited spot-on characterization and striking vocal talent. However, while the cast hit
the show’s comedic points with ease, sometimes characterization was dropped in hopes of
winning laughter with a humorous one-liner.
Winning the audience over with his stunning voice and hip-gyrating, pelvis-thrusting dance
moves, Erik Teran was Danny Zuko, the famed greaser and notorious 1950s bad-boy. As Sandy
Dumbrowski, Abigail Kullberg exhibited a notably smooth voice and sweet vocals. Rebecca
Bradley’s sassy and tough portrayal of the hardened Pink Ladies’ leader, Betty Rizzo, was
believable, enjoyable, and moving.
Individual members of the Greasers and the Pink Ladies alike demonstrated spectacular and
consistent characterization. Noah Habenstreit as the wonky, inarticulate Doody was charming
and comedic, displaying vocal strength in addition to memorable acting. As Roger, Carlos
Castillo won laughs from the audience with his slapstick comedy and uproarious rendition of
“Mooning”. Lydia Tefera’s portrayal of Frenchy, the well-meaning beauty-school dropout and
aspiring hairstylist, was enjoyable for its endearing cutesiness and consistent character choices,
as demonstrated through Tefera’s bubbling strides, hopping choreography, and adorably highpitched line delivery.
A stagnant and aesthetically pleasing set proved to be a functional piece in Albert Einstein High
School’s production of “Grease,” as it easily held the large cast and a live, onstage band.
Lighting cues admirably attempted to differentiate focus between the Greasers and the Pink
Ladies, although sometimes tending to unintentionally light various set pieces rather than actors.
Despite some feedback issues and accidental hiccups in which lines were lost, sound was, for the
most part, spot-on.
After an evening of hand-jiving, shimmying, and shaking, the cast of Albert Einstein High
School’s production of “Grease” left the audience “All Choked Up” and hungry for more.
by Mary Long of Langley High School
-------------------------------------------------High school can be a scary place, especially with the pressures of your various peers. But it’s not
so bad when you have your friends to pull you through the tough parts. This happens to be
exactly what Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski learn as they struggle with pleasing their
friends and figuring out a hot relationship of their own. Guys and gals, your attention please:
behold the automatic, systematic, hydro-matic production presented by Albert Einstein High
School- Grease!
Grease is a rock-and-roll musical written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey that follows the tale
of two lovebirds, Danny and Sandy, who face loads of conflicts when the demands of their
friends interferes. On one side of the story, Danny must try to act natural if he wants to keep his
reputation as a leather-jacket bad-boy, and on the other side Sandy must learn how to grow up if
she wishes to hang out with the sassy Pink Ladies posse. Through prom dates and drive-in
movies, the two learn what it means to be in love and juggle the difficult choice of choosing
themselves or each other.
The show worked astoundingly well as a musical all around- the band provided an awesome jam,
the dancing was professional and energetic, and the singing was simply out of this world. Each
cast member had something about them that made them special and individual in a way, such as
a quirky attitude or a strong New Yorker accent. The set itself was magnificently crafted with an
overhead walkway and many moving parts. When the components were all put together, the
result was a fun and engaging show bursting with talent from side to side.
The stars that shined above the rest though were Danny, played by Eric Teran, and Sandy, played
by Abigail Kullberg. The two were an excellent duo, and their singing voices were as if stolen
from celebrities. Danny could hit a great falsetto while keeping up the bad-boy attitude, and
Sandy could hold an incredibly strong note despite how shy her character was.
But looking into the wide list of co-stars, the one that received unanimous love from the
audience the whole show was Doody, played by Noah Habenstreit. Just something about his
sweet and shy character seemed so convincing and so likable that every sweet gesture he made
on stage brought an “aww” from the crowd and his awkward side comments got everybody in
the house laughing.
Everybody had something about them that made them great, and that’s why the ensembles of the
show were so remarkable. Each and every character, be them in the main cast or in the ensemble,
made them stand out in the crowd rather than be blurred all into the same-old-same-old. Be it a
nerdy boy running goofily across stage or a blind actor dancing and playing with his seeing-eye
dog, the whole crowd had something to focus on and fall a bit in love with during the show.
The verdict is that the show was both lively and heartwarming, between the times of getting
mooned by an actor or seeing a couple make up after a fight. Be it the gut-busting jokes or the
groove going on onstage, the production was fun and enjoyable to anybody. A big round of
applause for the cast and crew of Albert Einstein High School because they did an incredible job
all around and created one memorable night for all attendants of the show.
by Sean Herman of Langley High School
-------------------------------------------------“Grease is the word” here at Albert Einstein High School. The hit musical debuted in 1972 at the
Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, also known as the Royale Theatre. By 1979 Grease held the record
for longest-running Broadway show in history! The film however, more popular to audiences,
starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John was created while the musical was still showing
on Broadway. The “classic” show unveiled many topics that are uncomfortable to most such as,
teen pregnancy, violence, teenage drinking and smoking. The show takes place in the 1950's
where these topics were popular. Albert Einstein High School did a fabulous job at taking each
audience member back in time.
Eric Teran, a senior at Albert Einstein played the infamous role of Danny Zuko. In the second
scene, "Summer Nights",Teran began the song, and when he started singing you could hear the
audience gasp at his vocal talent. His "swagger" as some would call it, was always apparent as
Zuko embellished his summer story. Sandy Dumbrowski, played by Abigail Kullberg, a senior as
well, did a fine job executing the sweet and innocent role.
The highlight of the production was “Mooning” a song by Roger and Jan, literally about flashing
your bare behind. Carlos Castillo, portraying Roger had an angelic voice and made hilarious
character choices through out the entire show. Jan, Quiana Jewell had perfect comedic timing.
This knock out pair stole the show with their chemistry and adorable song. The audience loved it,
and it looked they were really enjoying themselves as well.
The life of the party, during the prom night in the tropics, showcased two fabulous actors, Declan
Enright and Jassim Conteh. Enright and Conteh were spotlighted in the first scene of Act 2. Both
created characters that were pleasing to watch, although they were not in the “spotlight” during
the scene, my eyes were drawn to them. Enright who played Eugene Florczyk, was a riot in
every scene he was in. Conteh, playing Charlene Cha-Cha DeGregorio, “like the cheese”, was
quite amusing, especially the fact that she was always chewing her gum, very obnoxiously. even
during the final bows.
Grease has many set changes, including the car, bedrooms, and the Burger Palace, Albert
Einstein stage crew worked as fast as they could to create quick set changes. It was impressive
since the changes are so tenacious. During the show there was many microphone issues, many
times feedback occurred and sometimes a line was missed, or a solo in a song was not heard. The
lighting during many scenes was flattering to the set.
Overall, Albert Einstein's production of Grease exceeded my expectations. With strong male
leads, and an ensemble that was full of energy and a directors dream, made the show completely
enjoyable. The movie, isn't appropriate for young audiences, it felt like this musical production
had many more uncomfortable moments and many raunchy scenes. A young boy in the audience,
on countless occasions asked "What is that?" or "What does that mean?". Grease is not suitable
for young children. But "Grease is the word" for everyone else.
by Alie Campbell of Loudoun Valley High School
-------------------------------------------------Imagine traveling back in time to the 1950’s, into the exciting, fast-living world of the Pink
Ladies and Burger Palace Boys of Rydell High, where sock-hops, drive-ins and hand-jives
abound. When Albert Einstein High School mounted their production of Grease, a musical
snapshot of teenage life in the ‘50’s, they truly brought the audience into that world, and all the
fun they had creating it for us really showed.
Eric Teran, who played bad-boy in love Danny Zuko, showed off his impressive vocal range
(including a strong falsetto!) in such songs as “Summer Nights”, and “Alone at a Drive-in
Movie”, as well as having a good grasp on his character’s evolution throughout the show. His
good-girl romantic interest, Sandy Dumbrowski, played by Abigail Kullberg, belted out her
songs with precision and style as well.
However, I was most impressed with performances by some of the supporting characters, and
even those who were featured in one or two scenes really brought their characters to life. The
first example that comes to mind is Doody, played by Noah Habenstreit in his featured song. He
had been a contributing member to the ensemble until then, holding his own in a scene with the
rest of the Burger Palace Boys, but once he started singing “Those Magic Changes”, the
audience saw his true confidence and showmanship, not to mention a voice to rival any other
cast member’s. Another standout performer who deserves mention is Carlos Castillo, who
portrayed Roger, another Burger Palace Boy. He was featured in the song “Mooning”, and
audience members were driven into hysterics by his spot-on comic timing, as well as blown
away by the third outstanding male vocalist so far.
Even though Frenchy, played by Lydia Tefera, was not featured in her own song, she was
perfectly cast in her role. The way she played her character as trying to be tough but with an
always-prevailing sweet side seemed like the exact right way to approach the role. She also had
excellent chemistry with anyone who shared the stage with her, showing her tough side when
with the boys, her nurturing side with Sandy, and her adolescent vulnerability during “Beauty
School Dropout”.
Those who were not acting onstage, but contributed their talents as well definitely deserve
mention. The set “bridge”, painted in a Mondrian-style pattern, showed off tremendous
architectural talent as well as a skilled set-building team. I also liked the choice of the very
talented band being ever-present behind the actors, as it gave certain songs, such as “It’s Raining
on Prom Night” and “There are Worse Things I Could Do” a very appropriate cabaret vibe.
Overall, Albert Einstein’s Grease was a lively, well-done show with several aforementioned
standout performers as well as outstanding behind the scenes contributions, notably the tech crew
and accompanying band. All these elements came together to culminate in an exciting, “retro”
night of high-school theater.
by Emily Ratliff of Loudoun Valley High School
-------------------------------------------------The audience jittered with excitement as the curtain drew and an “electrifying” group of
rebellious teenagers took us back to the 1950’s. While traveling back in time the audience was
invited to have some “Summer Lovin” while being captivated in the energetic performance of
Albert Einstein High School’s production of “Grease”.
The rock and roll musical “Grease” tells a story of the hormonal and love struck teenagers of
Rydell High. Focusing on a sweet, goody good girl named Sandy and her complex romance with
rebellious too cool for school love, Danny. Written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey in 1971,
“Grease” was a smash on Broadway and ran for an astonishing 3,388 performances. This racy
musical is filled with laughs, tears, and even a few dance numbers!
The Albert Einstein cast dazzled on stage with a consistency of outstanding energy and comedic
timing as laughter was contagious throughout the audience. Emotion struck the cast as great
character choices were shown throughout the delightful performance.
Silence fell over the audience, for no one wanted to miss a moment of hearing Danny Zuko sing.
Senior, Eric Teran brought this tough and suave character to life with an unexpected loveable
trait to him. Teran’s singing was strengthened by his acting abilities, as he showed Danny
gradually maturing through out the show with great comedic twists.
A show may have strong leads, but you can’t have a truly great performance without an equally
as strong ensemble, which is exactly what the Albert Einstein production provided. The
hysterical and heart warming supporting characters showed some of the stereotypical figures
frequently seen in high school; the loveable nerd Eugene, the class clowns Doody and Roger,
and the sweet best friend Frenchy. These delightful characters set the standards making the
audience feel welcomed and part of the show.
The set was a marvel to look at with bright colors and old fashion style; it was a creative strength
in the production. The simple set up was easily used in all the scenes and all the characters
seemed comfortable and in place through out the show. A noticeable glitch was with the sound
and microphones, it was a disappointment to the audience since they wanted to continue hearing
the great voices produced on the stage. Overall it was a minor mishap and did not take away
from the characters stage presence.
A band hopping, kids dancing, and love in the air was all part of a wonderful performance. Most
importantly the actors were having just as much fun as the audience, as they gleamed with
elation while they took there final bows.
by Gabriella Huelsman of Loudoun Valley High School
-------------------------------------------------"Do a split; give a yell, throw a fit for old Rydell!" And give a yell they did. The students at
Albert Einstein High School certainly used authentic 1950s flare and energy in their production
of Grease, a rock and roll musical written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.
This classic 50s musical tells the story of Sandy Dumbrowski a “good girl” and Danny Zuko, the
“bad boy” with a good heart. The two summer love birds find each other at the same school,
Rydell high, after having a fling at the beach. Sandy, the new girl, tries her best at fitting into the
clichés at Rydell all the while trying to figure out who Danny Zuko really is. Throughout the
show, their relationship is put to the test, fears of changing and growing up are confronted, and
the overall high school experience is enjoyed to the fullest by all.
Albert Einstein’s production of Grease was much enhanced by the upbeat and fluid energy
provided by the ensemble as a whole. The overall singing technique produced, especially from
the male cast members, was beautifully blended with precise three part harmony. Throughout the
show, vocal enthusiasm in the large group numbers showed the pep and spirit of the 1950s
characters. Overall, the lighting set the mood for each number and scene in a visually pleasing
and believable way.
Eric Teran (Danny Zuko) had spot on vocals throughout the entire performance, including
wonderfully executed harmonies. Teran also managed to stay in his greaser persona for most of
the show even when he was not specifically being featured. Rebecca Bradley (Betty Rizzo) made
very deliberate characterization choices, and they definitely paid off. Bradley effectively created
a sardonic and sassy Rizzo-esque character type that fit the mood of the show as a whole.
Carlos Castillo (Roger) certainly deserves a round of applause for his hilarious musical number,
Mooning. Not only were Castillo’s vocals perfectly on pitch, but his comedic portrayal of the
number quite possibly stole the show. Lydia Terfera (Frenchy) depicted a very quirky and
loveable character that made the show all the more entertaining. Jassim Conteh (Cha-Cha
DiGregorio) performed her given choreography with exuberant energy and spicy personality.
Not only did Conteh remain in character, she also stuck to her specific character choices and
made Cha-Cha her own. The ensemble for this show certainly added perkiness and pizzazz to the
entirety of Grease. At times, though, the ensemble needed to project and enunciate their lyrics
more so than was done. In some of the larger group numbers the choreography was off the
musical beat, and occasionally the dancers were not in complete sync.
The Einstein Lighting Crew did a tremendous job setting the mood and time period through the
specific lighting colors and vivacity. The white spotlights used during Summer Nights and Alone
at a Drive-in Movie created a feeling of separation between the character singing and the
characters on the stage, which allowed the lyrics to be more impacting. At times, the
microphones produced feedback and tended to fade in and out, which made hearing a tad
difficult. The set, created by the Einstein Stage Crew, was very practical for usage purposes and
the colorful designs helped to set the show’s playful tone.
Albert Einstein’s performance of Grease was a lively feel-good experience that brought 1950s
greasers, cheerleaders, nerds, and bad girls back to life through modern day stage performing.
by Sarah Midolo of Loudoun Valley High School
-------------------------------------------------Recipe for a summer romance: combine one part scorching sand with two parts choppy ocean
water and set to bake for three months under the preheated sun. Add an innocent goody-twoshoes and a secretly tender-hearted ladies’ man. Stir until there is a spark, mixing in a handful of
flirtation, a dash of danger, and a heaping cup of cool, dark night. Serve immediately. Beware:
leftovers kept until the start of school may spoil! Einstein S.T.A.G.E. cooked up this sweet but
complicated love story in their delightful production of Grease.
Grease is a musical written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey which debuted on Broadway in
1972. The production was nominated for seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and was
adapted into a classic 1978 film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. It tells the story
of two angsty Rydell High cliques, the Burger Palace Boys and the Pink Ladies, especially that
of Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski. These former flames must navigate the perils of teenage
relationship, including jealousy, peer pressure, and poor communication, to discover whether
their summer love was true.
Abigail Kullberg and Eric Teran led the cast as these tumultuous sweethearts. They drove the
plot of the show with a pair of tremendous vocal performances. Kulberg possessed a powerful
range that carried many of the production’s most iconic tunes. Teran exuded machismo and
swagger in his portrayal of the mercurial bad boy, Danny. His effortlessly confident riffs and
robust falsetto were nothing short of superb.
Einstein’s supporting cast was bursting with extraordinary talents who found new ways to dazzle
the audience in every scene. Rebecca Bradley was perfectly prickly as Betty Rizzo. She was
fully dedicated to her acerbic characterization, and displayed a remarkable ability to emote while
singing. Carlos Castillo drew from a seemingly bottomless well of audacity and side-splitting
antics as Roger. His cheeky delivery of the stand-out number “Mooning” made the audience
crack up with uproarious laughter. As aspiring cosmetologist Frenchy, Lydia Tefera made bold,
consistent choices to craft a memorable role. Everything about her performance was endowed
with girlishness and youthful uncertainty, from her high-pitched chatter to her distinctive walk.
Tefera had adorably clumsy chemistry with Noah Habenstreit, who played the gawky greaser
Doody. Habenstreit was yet another comedian of the highest caliber, finding ways to coax humor
out of his every moment onstage.
Grease’s performers were so uniformly strong that even minor characters were captivating to
watch. Jassim Conteh made the most of her single scene as the fiery Cha-Cha DiGregorio, with
stellar dance technique and colorful mannerisms, even continuing to blow bubbles in her gum
while she hand-jived. Michiko Feehan was enjoyably idiosyncratic as the uptight Miss Lynch,
and Declan Enright was absolutely unforgettable as the nerdy Eugene, clearly enjoying the
spastic physicality and sheer awkwardness of the ostracized geek without pulling focus from the
main scenes.
Einstein’s technical components featured some truly inspired elements which enhanced the
environment of the production. The color-blocked painting of the set was an unconventional, yet
fascinating choice, and the lighting designers utilized some particularly enthralling specials, most
notably the overhead highlighting of sprays of hairspray in ”Beauty School Dropout”. The hair
crew also deserves recognition for going above and beyond in their styling of the ensemble and
their attention to detail in Frenchy’s changing wigs.
Sometimes, when a relationship is turning sour, all it takes is some unexpected spice to restore its
zest. Einstein S.T.A.G.E. assembled all the ingredients for an impressive show in their
exceptional production of Grease.
by Madelyn Paquette of McLean High School
-------------------------------------------------Rydell High, circa 1959. While the 50s gives off its last hurrah, Danny Zuko and his ilk lead
lives that are far removed from poodle skirts and soc-hops. Instead, his nights are made up of
empty drive in theaters, greased hair, leather jackets, and stealing hubcaps for the car that is both
systematic and automatic: Greased Lightning! However, those nights are about to change when
Danny’s straight laced summer crush Sandra Dumbrowski moves into his school, whose uptight
upbringing doesn’t jive with his greaser hooliganism. Can these two worlds ever go together?
Find out in Albert Einstein High School’s roaring and raring production of “Grease.”
While “Grease” may have been imprinted onto popular culture by its 1978 movie adaptation
starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, the musical originally premiered on Broadway
in 1972 featuring more songs and fleshed out characters than its cinematic incarnation had. The
story follows the Danny and Sandy’s romance being put to the test as the two try to adjust to
each other’s worlds. However, when Sandy’s goody-good morality doesn’t gel with the femme
fatales of the Pink Ladies and Danny struggles to fit in as jock, their relationship seems to be
headed for disaster. Framed by crooning jukebox tunes, “Grease” provides a lighthearted look at
the pervasive counter culture of the late 50s.
As the slicked back heartthrob Danny Zuko, Eric Teran pulled off a multifaceted performance,
capitalizing on the dichotomous mindset of his character as he clearly portrayed his cool,
confident exterior with the insecure emotions lying underneath. His commendable acting made
up only one third of his triple threat status, which he earned through his outstanding dancing and
smooth singing voice. Abigail Kullberg played opposite as Sandy, whose diminutive presence
accentuated the naive and out of place aspects of her character, backed up by a solid vocal
performance.
The supporting cast did an excellent job at creating distinct characters that stood out from the
large student body. Rebecca Bradley gave an exceptional performance as Rizzo, whose affected
vocal tone and slumped physicality highlighted her sassy personality, clearly setting her apart as
a dominant actress and vocalist. Carlos Castillo led the hilarious duet “Mooning,” whose cheeky
humor came out in both song and dance. Similarly, Lydia Tefera provided some big laughs with
her self-deprecating actions and ever changing hair color. Noah Habenstriet created an adorable
character, utilizing an endearing stutter while possessing an absolutely melodious voice that
effortlessly slid into falsetto. Declan Enright amused the audience as the outrageously nerdy
Eugene, making the most of his limited stage time.
The versatile set centered around a large architectural piece consisting of two staircases
connected by a bridge, completely painted in a Mondrian color blocking pattern. Additional
pieces, such as a wall of lockers or the façade the greaser’s hot rod, were moved during scene
changes by a swift and effective stage crew. The lighting crew created visually stunning effects
while also creating exciting light shows that burst with color. The make-up artists achieved
excellence in their hair styling, outfitting not only leads, but also many ensemble members with
greased back hair or quality wigs.
With infectious enthusiasm and comedy that left the audience in stitches, Albert Einstein High
School’s production of “Grease” captured the iconic, hand jiving atmosphere of this rock and roll
musical.
by Max Johnson of McLean High School
-------------------------------------------------Stories of adolescent struggles with romance, peer pressure and even teen pregnancy are
amalgamated into a purportedly family-friendly rock n’ roll comedy, in the beloved 1950s
musical, “Grease.” Yet, when such a work is produced in 2013, we can hope to connect with the
struggles beneath the façade of grandiose dance numbers, as we realize that the issues portrayed
in “Grease” remain troublingly prevalent today. In an impressive production, the students at
Albert Einstein High School created an engaging performance which had audience members
dancing along in their seats, yet managed to stay true to the heart of the story underneath.
After opening on Broadway in 1972, “Grease,” a semiautobiographical musical by Jim Jacobs
and Warren Casey, enjoyed tremendous success. Its 3,388-performance run was the longest in
Broadway history at the time it closed in 1980 and the success of the musical was compounded
by the popularity of the 1978 film, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The story,
although altered somewhat in its many adaptations, surrounds a group of 1950s working-class
teens, the Greasers and Pink Ladies, in their senior year at Rydell High School. After having a
summer fling with a Greaser named Danny, Sandy, a straight-laced new student, struggles to fit
in with his rebellious friends, and to decide who she is over the year spanned in this production.
In Albert Einstein High School’s adaptation, Eric Teran shone as the smooth yet self-conscious
Danny Zucko. His impeccable comic timing and characterization incited laugh after laugh, as he
attempted to hide his efforts to win Sandy back. Furthermore, his clear tone and incredible vocal
range, coupled with his musicality and dexterity as a dancer, made Teran a genuine triple threat.
The chemistry between he and Abigail Kullberg, who portrayed Sandy, sizzled as Danny
swooned over a newly made-over Sandy in the energetic ensemble number “I’m All Choked
Up.”
Perhaps the strongest part of Einstein’s production came in its brilliant supporting cast. Rebecca
Bradley was stunning as the bold Rizzo, a Pink Lady with a questionable reputation.
Demonstrating impressive emotional range, she played the catty comedian with ease in “Look at
Me, I’m Sandra-Dee,” yet found moments of truth and became incredibly sympathetic in the
famous ballad “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.” Her comedic counterpoint was Lydia
Tefera as the sweet yet silly beauty school drop-out, Frenchy. Tefera’s complete commitment to
physical and vocal characterization made a role which could easily become cartoonish
remarkably believable. In a similarly endearing performance, Carlos Castillo portrayed Roger, a
Greaser fondly nicknamed “Rump” for his tendency to moon teachers. Castillo demonstrated his
brilliant comedic comic timing as he pined over Jan, a Pink Lady with a love for food, in the
adorable yet hilarious number “Mooning.”
The technical choices in this production, while sometimes confusing, were executed with
professionalism. Although attention to effects may have impeded focus on the basics, the
lighting furthered the visual appeal of this show. Instruments hung directly above actors created
a beautiful ethereal effect as they shone through the hairspray in “Beauty School Dropout.” As a
whole, the production was enhanced immensely by the masterful work of the hair and makeup
crew, who utilized colorful period wigs and makeup looks to evoke the personalities and period
of “Grease.”
While the students at Albert Einstein High School put forth a conceptually traditional production
of “Grease,” they brought the beloved comedy new life with their infectious energy as a cast and
captivating individual performances.
by Siena Richardson of McLean High School
--------------------------------------------------
Rebellious teens, fast cars, and great music; the good life portrayed of the Rydell High School
senior class. The show “Grease” shows the lives of ten working class teens figuring out their
lives. The fabulous vocals, strong ensemble, and skillful acting all prove that grease is the word
at Einstein High School.
The 1972 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey was first performed in the original Kingston
Mines Theatre in Chicago, and received many high acclaims, eventually becoming the thirteenth
longest-running show in Broadway history. Set in 1959, the show tells the love story of two
teens, cool kid Danny Zuko and innocent Sandy Dumbrowski, who meet during the summer
away from all their friends, and the madness that unfolds when the reunite at school the next
year.
The best thing about Einstein’s performance of “Grease” was the powerful vocals. Every
character with a singing role had a beautiful voice that suited each character well. In particular
Eric Teran (Danny Zuko), who showed an excellent falsetto along with a strong belt. This was
particularly evident in the song “Summer Nights,” which truly showed off Teran’s range. Other
notable singers were Carlos Castillo (Roger), who shined in “Mooning” and “Rock N Roll Party
Queen” and Abigail Kullberg (Sandy), who exerted top quality vocals throughout the whole
show, particularly in “All Chocked Up.”
The ensemble in the show was very strong. Each individual person showed great energy and
looked excited to be on stage. Harmonies were on point and everyone moved and twisted in
sync. Despite the large size, the ensemble managed to remain enthusiastic and into the show at
all times.
Lydia Tefera (Frenchy) was a terrific actress, who put forth a lot of effort that paid off. She had
good comedic timing and always got the most laughs from the audience. In addition, Tefera
really made the character her own, and used an accent that really characterized Frenchy just as
she is described. In the school dance scene, Tefera owned the stage and stole the spotlight with
her high kicks and exquisite moves.
All in all, “Grease” at Einstein High School was a great production. Even though there were
some slight sound problems, the skillful vocals, fabulous ensemble, and strong acting made the
show a definite success.
by Calli Levine of Northwood High School Academy of Musical Theatre
-------------------------------------------------The heat of Einstein’s summer loving exploded on to the stage in this production of the forever
iconic Grease! The 50’s certainly moonshined its way into the hearts and minds of young and old
audience members alike. With skillfully executed technical elements of the play as well as well
as a bold performance by girl who danced with a certain "Cha-Cha," and Danny Zuko that
certainly knew how to rock ya!
Grease started out as a piece from the windy city up in Chicago before making its way to the big
apple for its debut in 1972. In 1980 it claimed the spot of the longest running show on Broadway
and today thirty-three years later it still remains in the top fifteen. Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey,
the show’s creators, set it in 1959 at the fictional Rydell high school where Danny Zuko and
Sandy Dumbroski must both decided if their teenage fantasies of love can become a reality while
under the watchful eyes of their peers. Even with its iconic themes of love, friendship and
teenage rebellion, the show still manages to tackle issues that are alive today such as gang
violence and teen pregnancy.
The cast as a whole brought life to the production with a refreshing energy of teenage youth.
This was also emphasized on by the nice contrast between the featured characters who talked at
the beginning of the production, the nerdy Eugene and the dreaded Miss Lynch who were played
by Declan Enright and Michiko Feehan, both of these characters, as well as many others did a
phenomenal job of staying in character throughout the production. Most notably was a shiny wig
wearing top notch beauty school dropout named Frenchy who was played by Lydia Tefera.
Vocally Eric Teran, who played Danny Zuko, was divine. He certainly set an example for all of
his many supporting actors in the male ensemble. Though while there were awkward pauses in
more than a few key intimate moments and numerous stutters throughout the show the comedic
timing of most of the characters such as Roger and Cha-Cha DiGregorio played by Carlos
Castillo and Jassim Conteh took the initiative to animate the show in its vitality. Vitality that was
intensified with nothing other than glitter on the face of the ever so smooth talking teen angel,
Marc Coiffi.
While Sandy and Rizzo, the casts two amazing female stars struggled with their own inner
turmoil, as well as a few missed notes, their responses showed the reaction to the raunchy life
that most teens live and occupy. The set that occupied the stage was a piece of art and the
characters used its space well throughout the production. The blackouts where quick and
efficient though lighting was sometimes random, props were always in the right place.
Grease takes on a controversial lesson as it says that sometimes in order to fit in you have to
change yourself and your morals to get where you want to be. Alas though, this production was
ripped at the seams as it and the cast bowed away taking with them those glorious summer
nights.
by Kimberly Joseph of Northwood High School Academy of Musical Theatre
-------------------------------------------------"Why it could be Greased Lightning!" Albert Einstein's Production of Grease, was an enjoyable
shock of 50's teens and tunes.
If you've seen the cult classic from 1978, Grease the Musical will surprise you in its differences.
The Musical, while it is lacking the most famous songs from the movie, treats you to
significantly more stage time and character development for the rest of the Pink Ladies and
Burger Palace Boys (the original T-birds) Along with the Sandy-Danny storyline, the rest of the
gang goes through equally song-worthy troubles. Although opened on Broadway in 1972, and
told in the 50's the class of '59 brings a sense of optimism and fun to worries and issues that
remain current and have brought in new fans every generation.
Taking on the pressure of the shows notoriety is Albert Einstein's S.T.A.G.E. program, part of its
visual and Performing Arts Academy. The resources of the programs and its large cast were
likely utilized to lessen the burden of everyone favorite musical and create many fun
interpretations of the musical numbers.
Heading up the romance was the charismatic bad-boy Danny Zuko, played by senior Eric Teran.
Teran's vocals was a high point of the show, sometimes quite literally, his smooth vocals sailed
through the catchy "Summer Nights" and up to the high notes. His counterpart, sugar sweet
Sandy, was played by Abigail Kullberg, and IB Senior.
If not for Danny's vocals, the Supporting cast could very well have stolen the show, more
understandable in the musical, as the supporting characters collectively take up more time.
Characters usually ignored, Roger and Doody, two of the Burger Palace Boys, were each given
solos that epitomized the time period. Carlos Castillo, Roger, thrilled the crowded with his sassy
hips and clear vocals in "Mooning" and Doody was charming in the double-entendre that is
"Those Magic Changes." Kenickie, portrayed by junior Daniel Zucker, lead the way in one of the
catchiest number of the night, "Greased Lightning." For their parts, the Pink Ladies
commendably and consistently entertained. Also worth mentioning Elias Ventura's Vince
Fontaine impressively conquered the fast paced personality and speech of a radio show host.
To simplify the over-the-top nature of the show, the crew utilized one base set for various
settings, bringing other pieces to signify a change. In conjunction, the lighting crew highlighted
the sets and worked efficiently. The strong physical aspect of the set minimized confusion within
the larger dance numbers and proved to be convenient. On the other hand, the Sound experiences
some ups and downs.
Overall, this high school performance of Grease was a fun upbeat way to spend an evening.
Missteps were blurred by the enthusiasm of the audience as well as the cast, and the spirit of the
show was obvious amid the colorful setting and portrayals.
by Melina Smith of Oakton High School
-------------------------------------------------As the audience continues to settle into the theater, three actors come on to the stage and silently
interact with each other. Eventually they come up to a podium to welcome ‘the cast of 1959’ and
show an old time video. This opening was a great and creative way to introduce Albert Einstein
High School’s production of Grease.
Sandy Dumbrowski (Abigail Kullberg) is a conservative teen who meets the suave Danny Zuko
(Eric Teran) over the summer, where they flirt it up at the beach. When Sandy and Danny see
each other on the first day of school, Danny hardly takes a glance at her as he has morphed back
into his too cool for school persona. New to Rydell High, Sandy is befriended by the Pink
Ladies, a group of girls who have no problem going about their days drinking and smoking. To
gain back Danny’s attention Sandy finally decides she’s going to change her looks for her man.
With the help of Frenchy, a beauty school drop out played by Lydia Tefera, Sandy is transformed
from a goody two shoes to a sassy 50’s hot chick. With this new look, Danny rediscovers her,
and the two end up together.
Eric Teran, who played Danny Zuko, had an excellent voice. His smooth, almost jazzy voice was
perfect for the character. Even as he went up into his falsetto range, his voice was strong and
clear. Carlos Castillo played Roger, and made this character lovable with his energy and
character choices. Castillo’s voice was very impressive, and stayed clear throughout his wild
movements.
Rebecca Bradley wonderfully played Betty Rizzo, one of the Pink Ladies. With her accent and
strong characterization, she stood out as a sleazy motorcycle babe. Her voice was strong and she
kept her accent through the singing. The chemistry with her boy Kenickie was portrayed
effortlessly. The two actors looked as though they truly enjoyed being on stage together.
As the background, the guys and girls of the ensemble aided well in keeping the energy of the
musical up. The vocals were all very impressive, even though it was difficult to hear at times.
For the most part, they kept the dancing in unison and with energy. Especially during the “Hand
Jive”, when everyone was clearly happy to be on stage.
Einstein’s stage crew nicely executed a fairly large set that facilitated interesting entrances and
exits. A great feature of the set was the stack of real lockers that smoothly slid onto the stage.
The lighting had some creative ideas, like the spotlight on the guardian angel in “Beauty School
Dropout”.
Albert Einstein’s Cast and Crew did a solid and enjoyable job in performing a demanding show.
With the ensemble’s energy and funny featured roles, it was a pleasure to watch them go
together like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong!
by Andie Matten of Robinson Secondary School
--------------------------------------------------
A small army of guys with slicked hair and black leather jackets run on stage. A saxophone
whines a rock tune behind them. One of the boys jumps up, stands on the hood of his car, and
with all the smooth teenage style of the 1950s, sings about his beloved fixer upper convertible.
This can be none other than Grease, as performed by Albert Einstein High School on March 9th,
2013.
Best known from the 1978 film, Grease was actually first brought to life as a Tony-nominated
Broadway musical in 1972 written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Though the film and each
incarnation of the stage show varies from one another, the plot remains about the Rydell High
School graduating Class of 1959, and the struggles they face such in love and life in such
tumultuous and rebellious times. Grease has since seen 2 Broadway revivals, 3 US tours, and
multiple international productions.
Eric Teran led the cast as Danny, the head of the rebellious greaser gang in love with Abigail
Kullberg’s Sandy, the conservative young lady with whom he spent a romantic summer. Teran’s
impressive vocal performance and distinct physicality gave Danny all the swagger he needed,
and played well against Kullberg, whose equally commendable sound and innocence made for a
sympathetic Sandy. Committed and well-characterized, Rebecca Bradley gave a stand out
performance as Betty Rizzo, an together with Lydia Terfera’s Frenchy, Anna Toretsky’s Marty,
and Quiana Jewell’s Jan, the Pink Ladies were a delightful group that kept energy up. Also
bringing the heat were the Grease Lightning Guys, led by Daniel Zucker’s Kenicke, Carlos
Castillo’s Roger, and Noah Habenstreit’s Doody, a bunch whose charm and humor made them
clear crowd favorites.
The biggest achievement, however, was the stunning vocal quality consistently delivered. The
large ensemble, in addition to the leads, had just the sound that this rock musical demands, and
could pull harmonies in songs such as “Summer Nights” and “Freddy, My Love” with beauty
and ease. Commitment and energy was evident; it filled the space, and though it felt somewhat
crowed at times, the colorful, multi-tiered set was a huge asset in moving actors on and off and
giving them levels to play with. Colorful flashes and clear, appropriate sound effects were both
in addition to solid lighting and sound. Bright costumes were accented by fitting and sometimes
colorful hair and make-up, especially for some characters with well-styled wigs that were
fashionable and functional.
Boasting good energy and better vocals, Einstein’s production of Grease was cool and fun,
reminiscent of all the pomp and style of the days when nothing was better than a black leather
jacket, a poodle skirt, and a car of your own.
by Anna Barr of Robinson Secondary School
-------------------------------------------------There was no shortage of leather jackets and bobbed hair on Albert Einstein High School’s stage
during their performance of “Grease”. This musical is an oldie but a goodie, full of 50s fun and
more than questionable morals. We find our young almost-lovers, Sandy and Danny,
rediscovering each other by chance after some brief “Summer Lovin” left them both with a
longing for each other. How could the goody-two-shoes Sandy and the hunky badboy Danny end
up together? Why, by Sandy undergoing a complete transformation, of course!
Named after the slick-haired boys called “greasers” of the 50s, this musical was written by Jim
Jacobs and Warren Casey and first performed in 1971 in the Kingston Mines Theatre in Chicago.
Softened over time, this show’s vulgarity and sexuality were once much raunchier. It follows a
group of teenagers, primarily Danny’s gang and the Pink Ladies clique, as they experience some
struggles of being a teenager. Themes such as sex, violence, and drug and alcohol abuse are
abundant in this libidinous show of masculinity and social expectation.
The smoothest, baddest greaser of Rydell High, Danny Zuko, was played by Eric Teran. Teran, a
junior, tackled this difficult vocal role with great success. This role requires an arrogant swagger
at some points, yet a heartfelt yearning for the innocent Sandy at others. Both of these
contrasting sides of Danny Zuko were well defined by Teran, and his camaraderie with his
friends was believable and entertaining. Additionally, his attitude did well to sell his character as
a man of infamous renown amongst the crowd of this cast.
Rebecca Bradley let her diva-ness take the stage through the role of Betty Rizzo, better known as
just “Rizzo”. A sassy and headstrong girl, Rizzo is the unofficial leader of the Pink Ladies. Her
consistency to be snappy and mean stood out, as well as her commitment to the sarcasm of the
number “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee”. Her chemistry with her romantic opposite, Kenicke
(Daniel Zucker), was fiery and volatile, just like her. Her energy and presence were prominent
throughout the show, a feat not easy to do among so many other “large” characters.
The set, constructed by the Einstein Stage Crew, consisted of a large bridge and several pieces
that entered from the wings during blackouts to be set center stage. Painted in a style similar to
the De Stijl art movement, its loud primary colors reflected the bravado and energy of this time
period. The lighting followed suit, contributing similarly “loud” colors to the energetic full cast
songs and ensemble scenes. While the leads and ensemble were, on occasion, difficult to hear or
understand, their larger than life personas kept attention and were consistent.
“Grease” teaches in a “what not to do” style, but no matter what generation you belong to, this
show reaches out to everyone as a story of struggle, change, and swagger.
by Jamie Green of Robinson Secondary School
-------------------------------------------------Albert Einstein High School’s production of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s Grease goes
together like a wop ba-ba lu-mop and wop bam boom!
Grease is a story of love, secrets, heartbreak, and lies. This can mean one thing; it must take
place in high school. The audience follows the Pink Ladies (Rizzo, Frenchy, Jan, and Marty), the
Greasers (Danny, Kenickie, Roger, and Doody), and new girl Sandy through their senior year at
Rydell High School in 1959. After telling others about their summer love, Danny and Sandy find
each other unexpectedly at Rydell. Their love catches a snag and Sandy is left without a partner
to the dance. After a teen pregnancy scare, gang violence, and some major partying, Sandy
transforms herself into the opposite of her past innocent self. Danny automatically falls in love
with her and they have a happy ending to their last year in high school.
Einstein’s production of Grease can be described as colorful, full of pizzazz, and overall fun!
Their ensemble added bursts of high-energy whenever they appeared on stage. Each set piece
was carefully thought out and placed on stage silently. Costumes and makeup brought to life the
carefree styles of the late 1950’s. Most important, the leads had noticeable stamina, which kept
the audience entertained the entire show.
Senior, Eric Teran played Danny Zuko with the perfect amount of cool and smooth. His voice
immediately won over the hearts of the audience with his impressive range and charming tone.
Sandy was played by senior Abigail Kullberg who had a fantastic strong voice that was shown
off beautifully in “Summer Nights”.
The supporting cast brought lightning energy to the show. Some audience favorites included
senior Rebecca Bradley (Betty Rizzo), who kept her boisterous character up even when she did
not have lines. She also broke the audience’s heart with her rendition of “There Are Worse
Things I Could Do”. Sophomore Carlos Castillo and junior Noah Habenstreit enchanted the
crowd with their hilarious and cute performances as Roger and Doody.
The technical aspects brought the whole production to life by adding bright colors and zest to
large musical numbers. The Einstein Makeup Crew impressed the audience with the large
amount of wigs, angelic makeup on the Teen Angel (Marc Cioffi), and the noticeable change of
makeup on Sandy after her transformation. The lighting, done by the Einstein Lighting Crew,
added bursts of orange, blue, and pink to most numbers. This helped to make each scene feel
authentic and full of life. The set, done by the Einstein Stage Crew, kept us in the 1950’s
throughout each set change.
Overall the cast and crew of Albert Einstein High School’s production of Grease did an
impressive job with a classic show and left their audience wanting more Grease Lightning!
by Mady Hanton of Robinson Secondary School
-------------------------------------------------Albert Einstein High School created Summer Nights onstage for their March 8, 9, 15, and 16
performances of the iconic 1950s rock musical Grease. The well-loved show was written by Jim
Jacobs and Warren Casey in 1972, and is set in 1959 at the fictional Rydell High School. The
show was first performed at the Kingston Mines Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. At the time it had
closed after its Broadway run of 3,388 performances, it was the longest running Broadway show
in history. It was revived twice for Broadway, once in 1994 and once in 2007, and also become
popular on the West End. Today, Grease remains a popular choice for high school and college
theatre productions.
The show received much wider recognition in 1978, when it was released as a musical film
starring John Travolta as Danny Zucco and Olivia Newton-John as Sandy Olsen (their last names
being changes from the musical’s original script). It was nominated for four Golden Globe
awards and one Academy award, and remains the top musical movie in the United States, having
held this honor for 35 years.
Eric Teran appeared as the suave Danny Zuko. His powerful and expansive vocal range was an
impressive addition to his well-acted character. Opposite him was Abigail Kullberg as the shy
and innocent Sandy Dumbroski, who sang her pieces with a beautiful voice. The Pink Ladies
made a girly crew, consistent in their commitment and stage business. The most notable of the
Ladies were Lydia Tefera as Frenchy, the lovable Beauty School Dropout, and Rebecca Bradley
as Betty Rizzo, the sarcastic comic relief.
Standout ensemble members included Michiko Feehan as Miss Lynch, the grouchy English
teacher, as well as Declan Enright as Eugene Florczyk, Rydell High School’s resident geek. Both
actors played their roles to their fullest extent, providing humor in an additive fashion while
taking care not to pull focus away from the main action onstage.
Technical aspects of the production were hit or miss. There were some major issues with the
sound system in terms of microphones and feedback. However, the costumes, under direction by
Sehee Curro, were very well constructed and appropriate for the 1950s time period, as well as
fitting to the ages of the characters. Mary Holmcrams and Sonja Plungis were responsible for the
set design, which was brought to life by construction managers Millie Bell and Rosetta Previti. It
was functional and utilized well by the actors to establish different locations. Lighting was
general and fairly consistent, with several interesting and unexpected effects, under the direction
of Laiken Brown.
All players and theatre technicians put a huge amount of effort into making their show the best it
could be. Commitment was clear and detail was evident. The cast and crew collaborated very
effectively to provide their community with an ultimately lively, fun production of a classic
American musical.
by Sarah Irving of Robinson Secondary School
-------------------------------------------------The graduating class of 1959 of Ridell High School was brought back to life in glittery jackets,
cool cars, and the hand jive. Albert Einstein High School had no trouble supplying the energy for
a show of drama-infested high schoolers in the “hoppin’” 1950’s. This show was made a success
by committed characters, energetic ensembles, and musical numbers that were interesting to
watch, and of course, lovely to listen to!
This show overall was always interesting and exciting to watch, but nevertheless, some actors
and actresses still stood out. Frenchy, played by Lydia Tefera, was impossible to not love. Tefera
made definite decisions to be sweet and oblivious that made her character one that the audience
welcomed. The Burger boys such as Roger and Doody, played by Carlos Castillo and Noah
Habenstreit, were exciting and hilarious to watch. Castillo exuded rebellious energy and had the
audience in fits. Habenstreit also executed his character with ease as he struggled with his crush
on Frenchy and trying to keep his cool.
The show kicked it off right with “Summer Lovin’”. Danny and Sandy, played by Eric Teran and
Abigail Kullberg, sang effortlessly while the Pink Ladies and Burger Boys were animated and
reacting to the stories the two lovebirds told. Rizzo, portrayed by Rebecca Bradley, should be
commended for establishing her character and feelings about Sandy in that first song. “Mooning”
had the audience cracking up as Castillo committed himself to certain ways of dancing that is
self-explanatory by the title “Mooning”. Johnny Casino played by David Toro and Cha-Cha
played by Jassim Conteh were highlights in the scene at the dance. Toro expertly executed the
character of a 1950’s singer with his mannerisms and way of singing. Conteh made very strong
character choices that made her fun and interesting to watch, not to mention she was evidently
one of the strongest dancers.
The set was very functional and interesting to look at. It helped create many levels and keep the
audience interested. The costumes helped to establish the time period and were all unique. The
hair was a detail that the Crew did not overlook. Each female member of the cast either had a
wig, or curls, or ribbons in their 1950’s hair-do’s!
Grease kept the audience laughing, “aww”-ing, and on the edge of their seats the whole show.
This was greatly because of the phenomenal energy the cast had and the characters that were not
afraid to make strong character choices. It was fun for the audience, and you could tell that the
cast was having fun as well which is equally as important.
by Elise Covas of South County High School
-------------------------------------------------Although some argue that the overall message of the musical Grease isn’t the best, there is no
denying that Albert Einstein High School did an amazing job with it! Grease is a story of a “bad
boy” falling in love with a good girl set in the 1950s. It was written in 1972 by Jim Jacobs and
Warren Casey.
Eric Teran, who played bad boy Danny Zuko, was a natural talent. His singing and dancing was
quite flawless and seemed effortless. He had great energy throughout the entire show and made
great character choices. His stage presence was dominating and drew the audience’s eye. Sandy
Dumbrowski, played by Abigail Kullenberg, had a lovely voice.
Frenchy, played by Lydia Tefera, was constantly in character and had energy throughout. Both
Tefera and Quiana Jewell, who played Jan, had a good sense of comedic timing and sarcasm.
Cha-Cha DiGregorio, played by Jassim Conteh, also had great energy and good dancing
technique. Her acting choices, such as obnoxiously chewing gum and constantly pulling up her
dress, really added to her character.
Carlos Castillo’s performance as Roger in “Mooning” was hilarious and a highlight of the show,
as was Betty Rizzo’s, played by Rebecca Bradley, comedic presence. Bradley had a good voice
and seemed very confident on stage. Bradley and Daniel Zucker, who played Kinickie, worked
together wonderfully and had great chemistry. Zucker’s performance in “Greased Lightening”
was great, as was Noah Habenstreit’s as Doody in “Those Magic Changes”. Eugene Florczyk,
played by Declan Enright, made good character choices as well and never dropped them.
Although some scenes lacked chemistry and props were often carried unconvincingly, the overall
acting was great!
The attention to detail of the actor’s hair in this musical was great! All of the girls had curly pony
tails with matching ribbons and the guys all had the time-period appropriate slicked back hair.
They put Frenchy in three different wigs: one for her regular hair, one for her dyed pink hair and
yet another that was half brown, half pink as she transitioned out of her pink hair. Although at
times it seemed like the lights lit the set rather than the actors, there were a few special lighting
effects that worked really well. For example, during “Beauty School Dropout” they used a light
that interacted well with the hairspray that the actors were spraying.
It was interesting to see how the show is different from the movie adaptation of this musical and
overall I think Albert Einstein did a great job!
by Maddy Fuchs of South County High School
-------------------------------------------------Beginning with the very first song, "Summer Nights" the Albert Einstein Players dazzled the
crowd with fantastic energy, superb vocals, and hilarously spot-on accents in their production of
"Grease"
The 1972 musical “Grease” is by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. It's set in 1959 and follows ten
teenagers as they go through their troubled days in Rydell High School (a fictional high school).
Main characters include Sandra Dumbrowski and Danny Zuko, who fall for eachother during the
summer only to find out later that they will be attending the same school. It has played in many
different locations such as London, Broadway and across the US and has had several popular
revivals including one in 1994 and one in 2007. It is Broadway’s fourteenth longest running
show. Grease has also been made into a very successful motion picture.
During group numbers such as "Born to Hand Jive", the ensemble showed great energy and
acting while singing as a cohesive group. Although the dancing wasn't executed perfectly, the
players made up for it with their wonderful stage presence.
Stand-out solists in the producton were Doody, played by Noah Habenstreit, who sang "Those
Magic Changes" and Jonny Castino, played by David Toro, who sang "Born to Hand Jive". They
both had terrific vocals and great acting abilities. And of course, no one can forget "Mooning"
sung by Carlos Castillo as Roger. His voice was fantanstic; never off key or off beat dispite
having to dance and act at the same time, which he executed hysterically. He also had amazing
stage presence and a huge amount of confidence! Roger's love interest, Jan (Quiana Jewell), also
shined in her comedic role.
The lead characters, Sandy and Danny, played by Abilgail Kullberg and Eric Teran both had
amazing voices. Teran showed his vocal strengths in the song "Alone in a Drive in Movie" a
very tough song which he performed nearly flawlessly. Kullberg showed her talents in the
reprise of "Look at Me i'm Sandra Dee" and "It's Raining on Prom Night" where she also
demonstrated her harmonistic abilities while singing with Mary Holmerans (Radio Singer).
Another notable character was Rebecca Bradley who had a great character voice and fantastic
acting skills as she played the brooding and unimpressed Rizzo.
The set for "Grease" was functional yet entertaining; the stairs made for great entrances while the
lockers, bed and lunch table added greatly to the show. The sound was very glitchy and
sometimes picked up small noises like breathing and ruffling that was very distracting. Luckly,
the cast made up for this by singing loudly and clearly.
It surely wasn't "Raining on Prom Night" at this production of Grease!
by Amelia Heesen of St. Andrew's Episcopal
-------------------------------------------------The Lady and the Greaser
Though the modern student may have more laptops and Iphones than hair gel and leather
jackets, time has not changed every aspect of the high school experience. The cast of “Grease”
over at Albert Einstein High School showed that regardless of the decade, teenagers will never
change completely.
Written and orchestrated by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, “Grease” debuted on
Broadway in 1972 to great acclaim and commercial success. Over the past four decade the story
of Sandy Dumbrowski’s and Danny Zuko’s attempt to transition their passionate summer
romance into a lasting relationship has seen revivals on both Broadway and the West End.
Though the costumes and dialogue keep the viewer grounded with their classic fifties
atmosphere, the portrayal of teenage angst and rebellion give “Grease” the timeless air that has
kept the show popular for so many years.
Leading the cast as bad boy Danny Zuco, Eric Teran gave a performance overflowing
with energy. Teran switched from Zuco’s cool-as-ice exterior to his sweet puppy-dog-eyed soul
with ease. And in songs like “Alone at a Drive in Movie” Teran displayed both ends of his
impressive vocal range. Opposite Teran, Abigail Kullberg gave a beautifully sincere
performance as Sandy Dumbrowski, Zucos tortured love interest. Kullberd captured Sandy’s
deep love for Danny as well as her humble charm right up to her final scene where she burst on
stage as a powerful, leather-clad, sex symbol delivering a powerful rendition of “All Chocked
Up”.
Though Teran and Kullberg delivered excellent performances in their own right, they
shone the brightest when combined with the talented cast of supporting actors. Zucos gang, The
Burger Palace Boys, each brought their distinct and lovable character to make up the classic
greaser gang. Carlos Castillo gave a stand out performance, portraying Roger the mooning king
of Rydell High. Castillo combined explosive physicality with a beautiful voice to make his
posterior-themed love song “Mooning” a real show stopper. Daniel Zucker brought a stage full
of spunk as Kenickie the leader of the Burger Palace Boys. Tomas Richards and Noah
Habenstreit rounded out the group as Sunny and Doody, the former overconfident in his luck
with women and the latter displaying severe awkwardness upon approaching a woman. The pink
ladies, wearing far more pink and far less hair gel, were never seen far from the Burger Palace
Boys. Rebecca Bradley took charge of the ladies as Rizzo, Kenickie’s on-again-off-again
girlfriend. Bradley combined Rizzo’s sour personality with her own sweet voice to give a
memorable performance.
Backing up the power house group of lead and supporting actors was the ensemble, the
rest of Rydells class of ‘59. Though the ensemble kept high energy for most of the show, they
lost some of their zest in the longer scenes. And while the choreography was scarce, it often
lacked crispness and synchronization. The humorous score was brought to life by a small but
talented band. Though they lacked in numbers, the group performed without a hitch.
The cast of “Grease” sang beautifully and acted movingly, telling a story that still has
meaning today. Einstein brought obvious passion to this show, making “Grease” a true sight to
behold.
by Chris Naughton of St. Andrew's Episcopal
-------------------------------------------------The energy and comedy exerted by the fantastic cast of Albert Einstein's "Grease" made for a
entertaining night. The musical traces the story of Sandy and Danny, two high schoolers who
meet again during the first day of school after a summer romance. They both remember fondly
the times they had together, yet they are too caught up in their respective friend groups to be
together. Danny hangs out with a group of motercyle jacket-wearing boys, while Sandy spends
her time with "the pink ladies".The classic high school divide causes them to run into many
challenges while trying to figure out their relationship. Much drama and me hem occurs
throughtout the musical as many of the other characters also face different difficulties. Rizzo, an
outspoken and sassy member of the pink ladies has complex relationships with both Sandy and
her on-again off-again boyfriend. The Grease lighting boys are always involved in some kind of
trouble with cars or girls. And not to mention Frenchie, the high school dropout turned into
beauty school-dropout. With this primacies, the cast of "Grease" executed the classic storyline
very well.
Walking into the theater, it was clear that the Einstein tech crew had worked very hard in
creating a versatile and interesting set. It was colorful and worked well with the needs of the
production. There were several different pieces that were brought on to the stage throughout the
show that really added to the overall effect. For example, a set of lockers adorned with logos and
pictures that screamed high school. The only thing that seemed strange was the placement of the
bend in the middle of the stage. Although it sounded very good, it was often distracting and
overwhelmed many of the singer's voices. The costuming was also a highlight, as the outfits
really went along with the time period and stood out wonderfully onstage. I espeacially loved the
prom scene because everyone had on a unique dress.
The acting and singing in the show was generally fairly strong. The two leads, Sandy (Abigail
Kullberg) and Danny (Eric Teran) both had incredible voices and sounded great together. Rizzo
(Rebecca Bradley) was a fantastic actress and it was clear that she truly emersed herself into her
character. She was sassy and clever with her lines. She also had strong chemistry with Kenickie
(Daniel Zucker), and they were very fun to watch together. The characters Frenchie(Lydia
Tefera) and Doody (Noah Habenstreit) were personal favorites as they were both very talented
and connected with the audience. Their awkward yet adorable relationship was one of the best
parts of the show. Tefera also sounded wonderful on her song "Beauty School Dropout" and was
very convincing as her lost, yet charming character.
Overall, this show was very entertaining and the cast clearly worked very hard to create such a
great production.
by Claudia Heesen of St. Andrew's Episcopal
-------------------------------------------------Grease is the word at Albert Einstein High School. Their production of “Grease” left everyone
humming “Summer Nights” and doing the Hand Jive. The classic tale of the good girl and bad
boy falling in love with each other over the summer, but face the reality of their different social
circles brings them apart when they return to High School but refuse to give up and try to be like
each other in the name of love. The comedy, songs and ‘mooning’ won the crowd for this
production of the famous musical.
First Performed on Broadway in 1972, “Grease” was written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey,
and tells the story of 10 teenagers navigating their way through High School in 1959. The
musical tackles teen issues such as gang violence, teen pregnancy, love, friendship, rebellion and
class conflict, all the while still able to keep a humorous and upbeat feeling during the musical.
Taking place at Rydell High School, cool greaser Danny Zuko (Eric Teran) and his group, The
Burger Palace Boys, Kenickie, Sonny, Roger and Doody (Daniel Zucker, Thomas Richards,
Carlos Castillo, Noah Habensteit) rule the school and focus on one of the most important things
in their adolescent lives: a car named Grease Lightening. The roles of the minor Burger Palace
Boys played by Richards, Castillo, and Habensteit kept the audience laughing almost every time
they finished a line or song. Notably, Castillo stole the show with his performance in the song
“Mooning”, a hilarious profession of love his for mooning and his character’s love for Pink Lady
member, Jan (Quiana Jewell). Habensteit also made many members on stage and in the audience
swoon when he sang “Those Magic Changes” in hallways of old Rydell. The Burger Palace Boys
female counterparts, The Pink Ladies were led by the sassy leader, Betty Rizzo (Rebecca
Bradley). Bradley was able to take on the powerful role with style and flair and still able to show
Rizzo’s true caring personality on the inside in “There Are Worst Things I Could Do” when she
wouldn't want her friends to have to worry about her problems. Other notable characters included
Eugene Florczyk (Declan Enright), Patty Simcox (Christina Rexford) and the unforgettable Miss
Lynch (Michiko Feehan) who all opened the show at Rydell’s Reunion before going back in time
the events of the musical. Enright kept the audience interested with his dance moves and overall
dedication to his comedic character. Whenever Feehan was on stage was pure gold. During
numbers where she would walk on the bridge for a smoke break, or even to show off her own
mad dance skills whenever she though she was alone, left tears of joy in the audiences eyes. The
portrayal of Sandy Dumbrowski (Abigail Kullberg), was funny at times, but Kullberg’s voice
was the true gem in capturing the naivety of Sandy, especially in her reprise of “Look at me I’m
Sandra Dee”. Another notable scene was the entrance of the glitter covered Teen Angel (Marc
Cioffi) who beautifully crooned “Beauty School Dropout” to the clueless Frenchy (Lydia
Tefera).
Despite a few microphone difficulties, the Einstein Tech crew maintained good lighting cues and
transitions between scenes. Staying true to the musical, Grease Lightening stays as an average
car and is not fixed up to perfection, nor does it fly off like in the famous film adaption. The
Tech crew did a good job making the car for use of the Burger palace Boy’s wild antics.
In all respects, Albert Einstein's production of “Grease” was “Born to Hand Jive”.
by Emily Broeckaert of St. Andrew's Episcopal
-------------------------------------------------What happens when summer love is confronted with popularity and teenage rebellion? Albert
Einstein High School answers this ever-lingering question with the popular musical, Grease.
“Grease,” written by Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs, premiered on Broadway in 1972 and was
later revived in 2007. Set in the 1950s fictional school Rydell High, Grease shows the story of
good-girl Sandy Dumbrowski and high school’s bad-boy heartthrob Danny Zuko as they struggle
to face the complicated complexities of love, friends, peer pressure and growing up in high
school.
Eric Teran, A.K.A Danny Zuko stole the show with this phenomenal singing voice. All
harmonies were right on key. During the dance breaks Teran had good technique and a
compelling charisma. Kullberg’s voice was strong and fantastic.
Poor chemistry seemed to be consistent with all of the couples except for Rizzo and Kenickie,
and Doody and Jan. All four of these actors played convincing roles as Pink Ladies and Greasers.
It was thoroughly enjoyable to watch each of them put themselves out there on stage. I comment
Declan Enright, Jassim Conteh, and David Torro for incredible characterization and a convincing
and humorous presentation. Special shoutout to Carlos Castillo for mooning the audience!
The ensemble was enthusiastic and stayed in character the entire time. They sounded great but
the audience couldn’t hear them as well as I might have liked. But that may have more to do with
the balance of the sound and how the band was overshadowing the singers. Also there was
feedback and static coming from the sound system which was interfering with the actors because
at times we would miss entire jokes or lines. The costumes were period and entertaining.
Transition between scenes were tricky because there were no real black out considering the
orchestra sat on stage underneath the set, so there was always light. I feel this brought away a lot
from the acting because it was unconvincing.
The light system was interesting. The set consisted of a bridge with two staircases on the sides,
which remained on stage for the entire show. This was interesting and used in many creative
fashions.
With "A womp bop a looma a womp bam boom!" Alber Einstein High School students rocked
the stage in its production of "Grease"!
by Leila Youssef of St. Andrew's Episcopal
--------------------------------------------------
Who can resist the classic, raw sounds of 1950’s rock and roll? Combined with the story of an
innocent teenage girl striving to fit in at the fictional Rydell High, a goofy gang of Greaser boys,
and a bubbly bunch of girls called the Pink Ladies, Jim Jacob’s and Warren Casey’s Grease
showcases magnificent fun. In Albert Einstein High School’s production of “Grease,” the
importance of appearance is highlighted, through Sandy’s transformation from a chaste, innocent
good girl to the wild and seemingly bad girl in order to win attention from Danny Zuko.
“Grease” features ten rambunctious high school students on their journey of self-discovery and
adolescent love. The show deals with tough subjects such as teen pregnancy and rebellion with
catchy tunes and spunky choreography. Originally performed in Chicago, “Grease” of 1971 has
adapted from the Chicago-based characters, to the more generic and relatable characters known
today both onstage and from the silver screen. The easily associable characters have made
“Grease” to be among one of the most popular musicals, ranking 14th in Broadway’s longest
running shows. Albert Einstein’s production of “Grease” only further allows audiences to
acknowledge the magnificence of the show.
As each character is uniquely different, the cast and crew showcased a varying array of talent.
Although the enthusiasm of the “Grease” ensemble was inconsistent, wild characters such as
Roger (Carlos Castillo) and Doody (Noah Habenstreit) stole the show with their endless amounts
of energized talent. Their duet in “Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Queen” accompanied by their own guitar
playing, sounded both impressive instrumentally and vocally with smooth harmonization.
Additionally, leading lady Sandy Dumbrowski (Abigail Kullberg) and suave gang leader Danny
Zuko (Eric Teran) had intriguing vocal arrangements together. In attempting to create a manly
macho manner, Zuko made deliberate character choices, such as creating a choppy yet effective
transition between his chest voice and falsetto sound. Sandy Dumbrowski played by Kullberg,
maintained consistent character choices, with her strong, passionate belting of “Summer Nights”.
Even though the chemistry between Dubrowski and Zuko was somewhat lacking, the two
executed leading roles well as individuals.
Bouncing joyfully, the Rydell ensemble lights up the stage with both “We Go Together” and the
“We Go Together (Reprise)”. Furthermore, audiences are reminded why “Grease” is so
charming: the songs executed with happiness. Although the choreography was perhaps a tad
disappointing because of simplicity, energy was still quite apparent. Cha-Cha DiGregorio’s
(Jassim Conteh) sassy presence helped fix a few of the awkward moments of Rydell High’s
dance at the gym, with a few pops of bubble gum and flirty gestures.
The production of “Grease” at Albert Einstein has left audiences content, with the remembrances
of teenage fun. The show definitely went out with a yippity boom de boom.
by Tiffanie Snyder of St. Andrew's Episcopal
-------------------------------------------------Famous songs by the King of Rock N Roll, Elvis Presley, play in the background of the theatre
as the attendants take their seats, as the alumni of Rydell High School eagerly greet each other on
stage. Revving up the energy for Albert Einstein High School's, slicker than "Grease Lightning"
musical production of "Grease".
Grease, written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, opened off-Broadway on Valentines Day,
1972. Grease is the love story of the greaser, Danny Zuko, and goody-two shoes Sandra
Dumbrowski. While Danny has a passionate love for her, on more than one occasion, he shakes
her off to maintain his tough image. Through several endeavors and miscommunications, the
relationship and friendship of Danny and Sandra slowly begins to crumble, until Sandra makes
the ultimate decision. She must change her image in order to win Danny over. The show was a
massive success, and even though it was off-Broadway, it was nominated for several Tony
Awards.
Danny Zuko (Portrayed by Eric Teran) was the shining star of the show. Teran's portrayal of
Danny was absolutely accurate. He displayed Danny's need of acceptance among his fellow
greasers, but still contrasted his tough role for a plethora humorous points, like when his voice
cracks up when he first discovers Sandra goes to his school, or when he runs around on stage in a
skimpy track suit while the Burger Palace Boys are ready for a rumble. His performance also
consisted of several solos which he executed extremely well. Abigail Kullberg's performance of
Sandra Dumbrowski brought a quirky charm to the character. In her solos such as "Goodbye to
Sandra Dee" where she contemplates how to gain respect from her friends, Kullberg presented a
solid amount of sympathy for the character.
Two stand-out performers in the ensemble were Roger and Frenchy (Portrayed by Carlos
Castillo and Lydia Tefera respectively.) Castillo conjured a courageous comic concert in the
song "Mooning". (A love song where he literally sings about mooning, while proceeds to shake
his fanny muscles and moon the audience.) Tefera's portrayal of Frenchy brought a vibrant feel
to the show. Her reactions in scenes, such as when she lies about dropping out of beauty school,
took empathy from the audience. Other performers of note were Eugene (Declan Enright) and
Cha-Cha DiGregorio (Jassim Conteh) even though they both had limited appearances, they made
of the most of every second they were on stage. Enright's comic play and chemistry with the
Burger Palace Boys got more than a few chuckles from the audience, and Conteh's dancing set
the entire stage alight during the high school hop scene.
The microphones didn't work at points, but the almost all the performers had clear projection so
they could still be understood. Millie Bell's and Rosetta Previti's set, painted to resemble Piet
Mondrian's work in the 1930s, had the use of black lines to separate the primary colors,
illustrating how they are not meant to be. Just like the relationship between Sandra and Danny,
for most of the play, their protection of image is what is most important to them, so it's not until
Sandra changes her own image to match Danny's "color" in order for them to mix correctly.
Ultimately, Albert Einstein High School's performance is just like a greaser. Crazy, Confident,
and Charismatic.
by Brennan Laskas of Teens and Theatre Homeschool Program
-------------------------------------------------The bouncy, 1950s rock’n’roll musical Grease follows the love lives of a group of ‘greaser’
highschoolers from Rydell High School. Our main focus is on the turbulent romance between
sweet and innocent Sandy Dumbrowski and tough on the outside Danny Zuko. Having met
earlier in the year at a beach, their wild summer fling did not plan on continuing on into the
school year. Between all the push and pull of their friends and peers, in the end, the two reunite
and confess their true feelings.
In 1971, twelve years after the show is set, Grease written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
made its debut at the Kingston Mines Theater in Chicago. Rising to popularity both on stage and
on the silver screen, Grease has made innumerable revivals all over the country in professional
and student productions ever since. Coming to a theater near you in 1978, it became a nationwide hit with its bouncy beats and complex lovers plot. It hit Broadway twice in its forty-two
year popularity, once in 1994 and again in 2007.
Albert Einstein High School did a bright and energetic rendition of this beloved musical. With a
lively, color-blocked double set of stairs and a balcony and a live band underneath, the set
immediately drew the observer in. All the songs were coordinated between singer and bad quite
well, despite some sound glitches. Due to said sound issues, some funny lines were missed here
and there.
Danny Zuko, played by Eric Teran, was lively, animated, and was one of the more notable
singers of the evening with his success in hitting the high notes. Being in the spotlight most of
the time he was on stage, he managed to stay well in the greaser character, as well as play off
some of the more tender emotions. Carlos Castillo’s serenade as Roger to Jan, played by Quiana
Jewell in the song ‘Mooning’, was vastly entertaining and well done by all involved. Another
prominent song was the hand jive contest bit called ‘Born To Hand Jive’, sung by Johnny Casino
played by David Toro.
Picking the famous Grease to round off their year of theater, Albert Einstein High School
displayed a fun but honest glimpse back into the life of teenagers in the rock’n’roll era of the
1950s.
by Katy Rinaman of Teens and Theatre Homeschool Program
-------------------------------------------------What would high school be without teens in love? Teen romance is difficult enough, yet
especially more complicated when teens from “opposite sides of the track” fall in love. Sandy
and Danny are the unlikely pair of star-crossed lovers at Rydell High School in Albert Einstein’s
wonderful production of Grease. The audience members are surely to fall in love with Sandy and
Danny as they try to keep their romance alive.
A modern day love story of Romeo and Juliet, Grease is a rock-n-roll musical that premiered on
Broadway in 1972. Written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, Grease is set during the 1950s, a
time of rising youth culture and freedom. A sweet and wholesome Sandy, the new girl in town
who hangs out with the Pink Ladies, falls in love with the greaser Danny, the handsome and cool
renegade leader of a gang, the Burger Palace Boys. Their love is put to the test. Belonging to
clashing groups, Sandy and Danny struggle to fit into the image of their groups; their true colors
are buried underneath the façade of their groups. Sandy and Danny ultimately overcome their
social challenges, and their love prevails. Unlike the tragic ending in Romeo and Juliet, however,
Grease is mainly a fun and entertaining musical.
The talented cast and crew of the Albert Einstein School engaged audience participation and set
the stage on fire. Time was turned back and the stage transformed to the 1950s. Girls adorned in
poodle skirts and bobby socks and boys with their greased hair and leather jackets electrified the
audience with their riveting song and dance numbers, “Greased Lightning” and “Born to HandJive” Their sizzling performance inspired the audience members to want to stomp their feet and
clap their hands, along with the performers on stage.
In his role as Danny Zuko, Eric Teran thrilled the audience with his strong, soaring voice. Teran
also stayed in character and made really effective character choices, such as speaking in a 1950s
“accent.” Even when some of the other characters fell slightly flat at times, Eric
Teran brought the audience back into the show.
The ensemble should be showcased for their show-stopping dance numbers. Their skilled and
spirited dancers and gifted vocalists especially stood out in “Greased Lightning” and “Born To
Hand Jive.” Although they could be a bit quiet at times, the ensemble members were on pitch
and in character. Other actors and actresses that deserve recognition were Lydia Tefera
(Frenchy), Rebecca Bradley (Betty Rizzo), David Toro (Johnny Casino), Noah Habenstreit
(Doody), and Carlos Castillo (Roger). The five of them did a fantastic job singing as well as
portraying their characters very effectively.
The tech present in Grease worked very effectively with the show, especially the lighting, which
really added to the quality of the performance. At times, the sound system seemed to have bugs
in it, but the tech crew fixed the problems speedily. The arched set was effective, allowing for a
pathway for actors to walk over the stage.
In Albert Einstein’s production of Grease, the audience was treated to the nostalgic rock-n-roll
music of the 1950s. The cast performed their riveting musical and dance numbers with aplomb.
Truly a stunning performance, the cast and crew deserve a standing ovation for their
unforgettable enthusiasm, characterization, and vocalization.
by Ben Andre of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
-------------------------------------------------Welcome to the fifties. Certain images of this raunchy and raw era may come to mind: poodle
skirts in every pastel color imaginable, pedal pushers and sleek biker jackets with slicked-back
hair, neon fluorescent diners bustling with hormonal teenagers. This is the world of a group of
not-so-wise teenagers trying to navigate through the waters as they explore love, friendship and
rebellion through the touching ballads and lively dance numbers of the popular “Grease.” With
their endearing enthusiasm and heartwarming performance, the talented cast and crew at Albert
Einstein High School lent the classic show a brand new energy and exemplified why “Grease is
the word.”
Grease, with music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, follows a love story at Rydell
High School between bad boy greaser Danny Zuko and the sweet and sunny new girl Sandy
Dumbrowski. The 1971 musical became an almost instant hit, with a long stint on both
Broadway and the West End and transforming into the popular 1978 film of the same name,
starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as the bickering lovebirds. While Einstein
certainly took a risk with a story so deeply beloved by generations of people, they did not fall
short of any expectations, even adding a few unique touches to the show.
Spearheading Einstein’s successful production were Eric Teran and Abigail Kullberg as Danny
and Sandy, both of whom demonstrated noticeable talent as skilled actors and vocalists. Teran’s
accent was precise and consistent, distinguished among a cast that occasionally struggled with
diction in their “bad boy” speech and mannerisms. A vocal standout, Teran hit soaring high notes
with remarkable fluidity, and exhibited an impeccable range with his impressive tenor. Kullberg
gushed with the femininity and innocence of Sandy, easily transforming from the naïve
newcomer to the confident and sassy young woman at the end of the show. Kullberg’s belted
powerfully in engaging, upbeat numbers and was captivatingly lachrymose during ballads such
as “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Reprise).”
Rebecca Bradley stole the show with her stage presence as the brash and tough Rizzo, nailing her
solos in “There Are Worst Things I Can Do” and demonstrating superb physicality. Danny’s
ragtag greaser gang had audience members rolling with laughter, particularly Carlos Castillo as
Roger and Noah Habenstreit as Doody. Habenstreit also demonstrated striking vocals during
“Those Magic Changes” and had excellent chemistry with Frenchy, played by Lydia Tefera.
Einstein’s zealous ensemble enhanced the overall production, as the extra voices added depth
and resonance and their adroit and synchronized dancing sequences provided effervescent energy
that sometimes lacked in other numbers.
Albert Einstein’s skillful stage crew seamlessly facilitated the numerous set changes required in
the production. They efficiently and quietly switched, rotated and maneuvered large set pieces
that allowed for the portrayal of the “Grease Lightning” car, the burger joint, and the basement.
The Mondrian-style bridge and double staircase provided color to the already vibrant stage and
was effectively implemented throughout the production, and swift transitions by the crew
advanced the plot effectively. The set complemented a wide array of period-appropriate
costumes and meticulous hairstyles, and actors were able to overcome occasional technical
foibles with the utmost professionalism.
With a large cast, demanding music, and intricate dance numbers, “Grease” was an ambitious
choice. Nevertheless, the performers at Albert Einstein High School exhibited obvious talent and
hours of effort in a fearless production culminating in a charming foray of playful comedy,
bubbly tunes, and spirit performances.
by Yena Seo of Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology
-------------------------------------------------There are not many better things one can do than see an accurate rendition of the beloved
musical, Grease. Einstein High School brought Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s musical to life
with accurate portrayals of the well known characters and beautiful vocal harmonizing during the
energetic ensemble numbers.
This classic American musical is the story of two summer “fling-ers,” Sandy
Dumbrowski and Danny Zuko, who find themselves unexpectedly face to face at school, where
Danny’s reputation would be destroyed with the acknowledgment that the pure and sweet virgin
was his summer sweetheart. Sweet Sandy gets accepted into the rebellious Pink Ladies clique,
while Danny plays it cool with the Burger Palace Guys. The story tackles social issues such as
teen pregnancy, underage drinking, and smoking while showcasing Sandy’s gradual
transformation from a hesitant, naïve girl to a unruly and rebellious teenager, breaking all the
social rules to capture the attention of the one she loves.
Einstein’s ensemble jolted the stage with electrifying energy, blending perfectly together
in song. The combined sound of the cast and pit was beautiful, allowing the audience to feel at
ease watching the production. Many of the supporting and lead actors and actresses kept the
show on its feet, and provided on spot comic relief for the audience at appropriate times.
Eric Teran was the perfect combination of cool and funny in his role as the infamous
Danny Zuko. Teran’s vocal range was superb, and hit most high and low notes with ease. Teran
also contributed to some of the laughs heard in the audience with his precisely placed high pitch
squeaks and comedic timing. Rebecca Bradley kept the audience falling out of their seats in her
role as Betty Rizzo. Bradley pulled off the cool and careless air by adding her own twist to the
role, milking her sardonic and blunt lines for all they were worth.
Another highlight of the show was Carlos Castillo in his role as the infamous mooner,
Roger. Castillo definitely shined in his song, Mooning, and his eagerness to show the audience
his behind brought applause erupting from all corners of the auditorium. Lydia Tefera kept a
consistent character as her role as the silly Frenchy, perfecting the high-pitched voice and dumb
looks as the show progressed.
Many of the lighting choices were interesting, and an especially stand-out one was the
serene mist lighting in the Beauty School Dropout scene. The lights really complimented Teen
Angel and his fellow band of spirits as they tried to persuade Frenchy to re-attend school in
perfect pitch. The Stage crew was also very efficient in lugging the Greased Lightning car in and
out of scenes, and there was never an uncomfortable waiting period for the audience.
Grease is certainly a difficult production for any highs school to tackle, but Einstein took
to the task commendably, ringing in a memorable night for the audience.
by Abigail Wei of Thomas S. Wootton High School
-------------------------------------------------A colorful innovative set, bright pink jackets, greased up hair, high energy, and a lively band set
the stage for Albert Einstein High School’s production of Jim Jacob’s and Warren Casey’s
classic 50’s musical Grease
This seminal rock & roll musical has remained a staple of theatre everywhere for decades and
will continue to do so. It made history as the first almost uncensored musical to hit the stage. It
follows the love between two completely different american teenagers Sandy Dumbrowski and
Danny Zuko torn apart by their differences. Eventually, Sandy learns the that in order to get her
man she has to change who she is; and with great success.
Danny Zuko (Eric Teran) shined as the main “greaser” of the bunch with a powerful voice and
constant characterization. His romantic interest Sandy (Abigail Kullberg) remained true to
character beginning as the rather bland Sandra Dee and growing throughout the story to the new
cool girl on the town.
Danny’s sidekicks, the greaser guys, Roger (Carlos Castillo), Doody (Noah Habenstreit),
Kenickie (Daniel Zucker) and Sonny (Thomas Richards) stood out as constant characters with
great voices and hysterical lines. Roger was hilarious in the stand out number “Mooning”
featuring himself and Jan (Quiana Jewell). Doody stood out in his romantic solo “Those Magic
Changes” and the chemistry between him and Frenchy (Lydia Tefera) was unmistakeable.
The Pink Ladies, Rizzo (Rebecca Bradley), Frenchy, Jan, and Marty (Anna Toretsky) were fun
to watch and had great chemistry as an ensemble. Rizzo in particular stood out as someone
constantly in character with a solid voice. Though occasionally pitchy she made up for it with
strong acting choices and a realistic relationship with Kenickie.
Eugene (Declan Enright) and Miss Lynch (Michiko Feehan) were absolutely hilarious as the
bashful nerd and the mean teacher. Everything they did was constantly in character and they kept
the musical authentic and firmly in the time period. Cha-Cha (Jassim Conteh) stood out as a
strong dancer and though she only had a few scenes what she did was hilarious and she was also
one who never left her character for a moment. The ensemble was high energy but extremely
hard to hear so it was sometimes difficult to judge what was going on.
The hair and makeup were very period and the bright colors of the set lit up the stage, assisted by
the lighting crew. The set changes were fast and effective and the atmosphere of the time was
kept with fun rock & roll music and slideshows. The sound was on and off but generally there
when it was really needed.
The production was a joy to see and caused huge laughs and smiles all around.
by Alexandra Bartol of Thomas S. Wootton High School
-------------------------------------------------Grease is the word! And the people who make the word come to life all take part in this
hilarious, romantic and wacky musical! This colorful musical takes the audience through the
most intense part of a young adult's life, SENIOR YEAR! Albert Einstein High School's cast and
crew of "Grease" gave a lightning performance. They allowed the audience to have fun, while
the cast was having a Blast!
"Grease" was written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. It was originally opened on Broadway in
1971 at the Eden Theater. After it's first previews, it was required to tone down the amount of
vulgarity, due to its exceeding and aggressive raunchiness. Even after toning it down, it was still
the most vulgar show ever on Broadway until 1985. It stayed on Broadway for seven years and
closed with 3388 performances. It opened again in May of 1994 and lasted for four years, and
then again in 2007 and was open for two years."Grease" is an international "SUPER HIT,"
playing and touring in Canada, Europe, Asia, and some African countries as well.
The show follows a few story lines. The main story line follows Sandy and Danny. They met on
the beach over one summer and really "hit it off." Sandy never told Danny that during senior
year, she would be going to Danny's school, Rydell High. When Danny sees Sandy for the first
time since the summer, Sandy seems very happy to see Danny, while he blows her off to look
"cool" in front of his friends. It then becomes an ongoing bout between the two of them liking
each other, than not liking each other, etc. There are also secondary story lines, like the character
Rizzo getting pregnant, or Kenickie building his dream car, "Grease Lightning."
Abigail Kullberg portrayed a very well-developed Sandy. She had a good voice and knew her
character well. While singing "It's Raining on Prom Night," she was filled with emotion, and the
audience knew exactly what she was feeling at the time.
Eric Teran created a "cool" character for Danny. He stumbled on a few lines but corrected his
mistakes by singing with an electrifying voice in every song he sang. He looked cool and he
acted cool, that's all the audience could ask for.
The ensemble was especially good. They sang, danced and had so much fun every time they got
on stage. They loved being there and the audience could feel it.
The set wasn't very original, but was painted remarkably. Although, there were some ongoing
issues with the audio, the lighting was terrific. Especially during the song "Summer Nights,"
when the girls sung, the lighting would emphasize the girls, when the boys sung, the lighting
would emphasize the guys. The set changes were fairly quick which was great, nobody wants to
wait five minutes for a set change and, the crew really handled them well.
The show was a mixture of comedy, romance, and fun, the whole cast and crew did a remarkable
job of keeping these characteristics in sync. This performance was a blast to watch and, for the
cast and crew, a blast to be a part of.
by Brett Cassidy of Thomas S. Wootton High School
-------------------------------------------------With a do wop shobadda a wop bam boom we were teleported away to Rydell High School in
Albert Einstein High School’s fun rendition of Grease. When audiences were first exposed to the
musical Grease on Broadway in 1972, they were elated and entranced by the flashy numbers and
the show’s controversial take on issues like teen sexuality and love. Audiences loved the show so
much that it spawned a hugely successful 1978 movie of the same name and has gone on to
become one of the most successful and well known Broadway productions.
Albert Einstein High School tried their best to recreate the success of the original 1972
production. With leads Eric Teran and Abigail Kullberg blazing the way as the iconic Danny
Zuko and Sandy Dumbroski the show was off to a good start. Teran’s vocals were exemplary,
and often left the crowd cheering and squealing thanks to his fantastic range and tone.
Other leads included the dynamic comic duo of Lydia Tefera and Noah Habenstreit, playing
French and Doody respectively, who always left the audience snickering, the sassy and vocally
marvelous Rebecca Bradley, playing the iconic character Betty Rizzo, and Carlos Castillo,
playing the role of Roger. Castillo’s performance was especially exceptional, and his song
“Mooning”, which involved Castillo actually dancing around seductively and pulling down his
pants in front of the audience, was hilarious and resulted in the audience shrieking with laughter.
Yet the ensemble and smaller characters each got their time to shine. In general, the ensemble
nearly always seemed to move in perfect synchronization, no small feat with a large and peppy
show like Grease, and brought plenty of energy to the stage whenever they were upon it. Declan
Enright and Michiko Feehan, playing the nerdy Eugene and the strict Miss Lynch, especially
managed to liven up the stage, while never drawing too much attention away from the leads and
their fellow supporting actors and actresses.
The technical crews and stage crew also did a good job putting on the show. The set itself was
used to maximum effect, and there was never a question where the action was taking place. The
set changes were also always quick and precise and never left the audience waiting too long for
the next scene. While there were a handful of sound issues, they never managed to detract from
the scene being presented onstage.
In conclusion, Einstein’s production of Grease provided its audience with a fun look into the
groovy 1950s at Rydell high school. While punctuated with highs and lows, as all shows are, the
show certainly managed to cause the audience to leave with a smile on their face.
by Christopher Walkup of Thomas S. Wootton High School
-------------------------------------------------Crazy hair, 50’s attire, butt shaking, hairspray combined with an energetic loud cast was a simple
descriptions of Albert Einstein High School’s performance of Grease! What a night- filled with
great music played by the wonderful onstage orchestra who added a vibe to the show.
It all started with Sandy and Danny retelling their summer love in Summer Nights- a delightful
rendition played by Eric Teran and Abigail Kullberg, as he refused to acknowledge their love in
front of his Burger Boys who would in return make fun of him. The guys were definitely a
highlight of the show with their leather jackets and provocative moves, they were able to rock
the stage in grease lightning- Doody, Kenickie, and Roger led the group and had the audience
going absolutely crazy for them. Speaking of Roger, he had an amazing, hilarious, yet still
somewhat appropriate number filled with rump shaking and many good laughs. Roger, played by
sophomore Carlos Castillo, was definitely one of my favorite comedic actors in the entire show.
Another great member of the cast was Rizzo, and was at her best in Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee
when she performed her interpretation of Sandy’s character. Rebecca Bradley who played Rizzo
brought excitement and a fun personality to her character while maintaining an “intense”
relationship with her boyfriend. The overall dancing was in sync and everyone knew what they
were doing, especially one freshman, Tomonari Feehan, who regardless of being an ensemble
member in the background was exciting, and lively and developed his own character that he
maintained throughout the show. One of the best overall numbers in the show was the Hand Jive,
which was an absolute joy to watch as the high school cast accurately portrayed the famous 50’s
dance. The lead dancer Cha Cha, played by Jassim Conteh, was a fabulous actress and had a
strong personality from her gum chewing, to her sassiness, and her continual upholding of her
character- everything about her performance was uplifting and great to watch!
In all honesty I was surprised that a young high school cast cold put on a wonderful performance
that was enthusing, comic, and accurate to the original Grease. I want to congratulate the cast for
putting a wonderful performance, the crew for designing a great set and lighting, and the
orchestra for playing the music so magnificently. Albert Einstein High School- Great Job!
by Dania Assas of Thomas S. Wootton High School
-------------------------------------------------It is rare to find a show that resonates with both teenagers and their parents almost 40 years after
its creation. Grease’s hilarious script and infectious score have been entertaining audiences since
its Broadway debut in 1971. On Saturday, March 9th, Albert Einstein High School took its
audience for a wild ride filled with greased back hair, crazy wigs, and electrifying dance
numbers. Grease follows the story of Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski after they come back
from summer vacation and find that their summer romance isn’t the same when set to the
background of Rydell High School. Danny is pulled in the direction of his gang of bad boy
greasers while Sandy has to choose between cheerleading and Rizzo’s gang of pink ladies. Chaos
ensues as both Danny and Sandy try to find themselves amongst the social pressures of High
School.
Danny Zuko played by Eric Teran started the show out strong with his smooth vocals and
charismatic stage presence. Teran did a good job of playing off the energy of his fellow greasers,
making their performance in “Summer Nights” and later in “Grease Lightning” a joy to watch.
Sandy played by Abigail Kullberg also was a standout. Kullberg captured the innocence of
Sandy in the beginning of the show and her sharp turn from good girl to greaser at the end of the
show was very distinct. The pink ladies, Rizzo, Jan, Marty and Frenchy were also a joy to watch.
Their chemistry was convincing and they formed a cohesive ensemble that often times made the
large ensemble numbers. Rebecca Bradley who played Rizzo was a standout especially in here
solo “There Are Worst Thing I Could Do,” she conveyed the emotions of that song earnestly and
was very believable. Miss Lynch, played by Mickiko Feehan, was consistently always in
character. Feehan frequently stole each of the scenes she in and made the most of her limited
stage time. Declan Enright as Eugene Florczyk stood out as well among the ensemble. Enright’s
acting choices were consistent and he knew when to hold back as to not pull focus from the leads
or story. Several of the actors in the show struggled with pitch and intonation but they made up
for it it in energy. While at times characterization was lost at the expense of a joke of physical
humor, the production remained enjoyable and the actors really serviced the material.
The set was impressive and allowed for all the distinct scenes to be set up and convincing. The
running crew did a fantastic job at transition from one large set change to another. The set
changes often dealt with complicated and heavy pieces and they moved with speed and
precision. At time the lighting seems random and did not add to the story. Several of the actors
struggled with finding their light because the set was being lite and not the actual cast. For the
most part sound was clear but there were some occasional issues with balance and a mic going
out or giving feedback. However, these issues were brief and not so overwhelming that they took
away from the story. Overall, Einstein’s production of Grease was incredibly energetic and a joy
to see.
by Elgin Martin of Thomas S. Wootton High School
-------------------------------------------------With its catchy rock and roll music, vibrant costumes and teenage love, Grease transports its
audience back to 1959. Albert Einstein’s production of Grease on March 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th
portrayed the rebellious attitude that consumed the teenagers of that time while entertaining the
audience with countless jokes and upbeat songs.
Grease follows two high school seniors, Sandy Dumbrowski (Abigail Kullberg) Danny Zuko
(Eric Teran) who had a summer fling thinking they would never see each other again. However,
Sandy ends up attending Danny’s high school, giving them the opportunity to continue the
relationship they formed over the summer. To her dismay, Sandy soon discovers that Danny acts
differently when he is with his friends. Throughout the musical, Danny and Sandy struggle to
make their relationship work, fighting peer pressure and rebellion. Sandy and Danny realize that
in the end, it is much more important to stay true to yourself than to be part of the in crowd.
As Danny Zuko, Eric Teran brought great energy and strong vocals to this production of Grease.
Teran portrayed his love towards Sandy in the well-known song “Summer Nights,” but showed
his “cool guy” attitude in “Grease Lightning.” Teran accurately portrayed his friendship with the
greaser boys and I thoroughly enjoyed his characterization of Danny Zuko.
Abigail Kullberg really portrayed the innocent and sweet nature of Sandy Dumbrowski. I believe
that she did a great job of showing the audience that she was not fully apart of the pink ladies. I
really enjoyed “Summer Nights,” which I believe was the number that she put the most energy
into. I would have liked to see a greater transformation at the end of the show, but overall I
enjoyed her performance.
As a group the pink ladies had great chemistry and did a good job playing off each other.
Frenchy, played by Lydia Tefera stood out because of her contagious energy and fabulous acting.
Tefera perfected the balance between staying in character and not pulling focus in the full cast
numbers. Rebecca Bradley did a great job portraying the rebellious Rizzo. She had fabulous
stage presence especially in the number, “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee.”
The greaser boys with their leather jackets and hair slicked back provided many laughs and a
strong overall performance. Doody played by Noah Habenstreit put on an enjoyable performance
in the song “Those Magic Changes.” Roger played by Carlos Castillo was spot on with his
portrayal of this fun character. I greatly enjoyed his vocals and acting in “Mooning.”
The entire ensemble had a fun energy but the band and the leads sometimes overpowered them.
They all looked like they were having a great time and really added to the show. Eugene played
by Declan Enright never missed an opportunity to show the audience his character’s true colors.
Miss Linch played by Michiko Feehan was a great comic addition to the story line. Feehan’s
funny dance moves and snide remarks always left the audience laughing.
The set was very colorful and really portrayed the fun nature of the show. The set was also very
functional and allowed the cast to play with levels to create a better stage picture. The scene
changes were always quick and efficient. The lighting and sound system were not very
consistent, but they did not take much away from this thrilling show.
Grease at Albert Einstein High School was definitely a rockin’ show.
by Hannah Mitchell of Thomas S. Wootton High School
-------------------------------------------------Do you want to travel back in time to the age of Rock n’ Roll? Well, Grease is the word! Set in
the 1950’s, Grease centers mainly around Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski who meet over
the summer at the beach and when Sandy moves towns, she and Danny end up at the same high
school. The “in” groups at Rydell High are the “Pink Ladies” and Zuko’s leather jacket wearing
friends. Throughout the show, the audience experiences the progression of Sandy and Danny’s
relationship and Sandy’s transformation from the “goody girl” to the “daring babe”. Einstein
S.T.A.G.E.’s rendition of Grease at Albert Einstein High School kept the audience laughing and
smiling for the whole show.
Eric Teran’s performance as Danny Zuko was sweet and stud-like. Teran really took advantage
of Zuko’s somewhat “double life” trying to be the popular cool guy at school but also being true
and caring to Sandy. Teran had a lovely singing voice that made the audience swoon during
numbers like “Summer Nights” and “Alone at a Drive In Movie.” Not only did Teran have a
lovely singing voice and acting choices, he was on point with his dancing.
Rebecca Bradley too carried the show as Betty Rizzo. Although she was not always consistent
during full cast numbers, Bradley compensated for this when she shined with her voice during
her starring number, “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.” Every note was hit with ease and
Bradley had one of the strongest female voices of the show.
Frenchy, played by Lydia Tefera, was one of the show’s main comic reliefs. Always in character,
Tefera played the sweet and quirky “beauty school dropout” exceptionally well. The chemistry
between her and Noah Habenstreit who played Doody was adorable and hysterical as Doody
would run away and melt like ice cream whenever he interacted with Frenchy.
A standout number in the show was “Mooning” performed by Carlos Castillo who played Roger.
Castillo carried the number with his exceptionally good singing and his hysterical acting. He
actually pulled his pants down to shake his butt at the audience! They were crying with laughter
throughout the number.
Kudos for the night goes to the show’s ensemble. Every performer on stage showed constant
energy and consistent characters. All their dance numbers were precise and in sync, which can
usually be difficult for a large group of people.
The show’s set was simple but fun with its colorful block painting and the use of a tier-like
second level was very useful and creative. Their props were sparkly and fun such as Kniky’s car,
“Grease Lightening.”
Overall, Einstein’s Grease was a very enjoyable experience for all. This show is perfect for
adults to remember their olden days in high school and perfect for kids who can relate to the
characters in the show. If you want a fun, relaxing night, I suggest you take a stroll back in time
and see Grease!
by Kayli Modell of Thomas S. Wootton High School
-------------------------------------------------A colorful set and a colorful cast are what you will find at Albert Einstein High School’s
production of Grease on March 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th.
Grease, set in 1959, is the story of two high school seniors, Danny Zuko (Eric Teran) and Sandy
Dumbrowski (Abigail Kullberg), who shared a summer together and thought they’d never meet
again. However, Sandy’s father’s work brings her to Danny’s high school, and it looks like they
may be able to continue their relationship. Unfortunately, Sandy finds that Danny isn’t the same
person among his greaser friends as he was with her over the summer. Throughout the Musical,
Danny and Sandy struggle to make their relationship work despite the difficulties of peer
pressure and the craziness of growing up. With the help of their friends, they realize that being
part of the in-crowd isn’t worth losing yourself or the people you care about.
Both Eric Teran (Danny) and Abigail Kullberg (Sandy) performed well in their roles. Teran had
a lovely falsetto that he was able to show at more than one point in the show, and Kullberg’s
chesty mezzo voice, which one wouldn’t typically expect of her character, worked well with her
part, especially towards the close of the show.
Especially notable in the roles of Frenchy and Roger were Lydia Tefera and Carlos Castillo.
Both Tefera and Castillo made strong and accurate character choices that they applied
themselves to nearly one hundred percent of the time. Tefera had a variety of wigs that were
surprisingly effective in describing her own transitions throughout the show, and Castillo’s
rendition of “Mooning” was absolutely hilarious and had the crowd roaring so often that he was
at times forced to sing over them.
Michiko Feehan was placed in the role of Miss Lynch, the elderly English teacher at Danny and
Sandy’s high school. Although she had few lines and little central stage time, she often stole the
show by walking across the upper levels of the stage while doing various things, including
carrying a portrait of Albert Einstein, smoking, dancing, and many other things that all left the
audience laughing.
Other notable characters include Cha-Cha DiGregorio (Jassim Conteh), Kenickie (Daniel
Zucker), Betty Rizzo (Rebecca Bradley), Jan (Quiana Jewell), Johnny Casino (David Toro), and
Doody (Noah Habenstreit). The ensemble as a whole did well. The full cast dance numbers were
often in-sync and they were engaged in the numbers they were in.
The set had an interesting design, taking the typical multicolored-ness of Grease and adding in an
artistic flair, the stage crew took a risk that worked well. The design and structure of the set
flowed well from scene to scene, and although it never actually changed, large set pieces and
props helped bring to life different places throughout the performance.
The pit orchestra was incorporated into the set, seated upstage center, which worked surprisingly
well with the flow of the performance, although their lights were at times distracting during
scene changes or scenes with low light.
Overall, Grease was a nice new take on the well-loved show. The Einstein cast worked hard to
make a show that is performed often into something new and their own, and they did well.
by Sarah Kinney of Thomas S. Wootton High School
-------------------------------------------------Students from Albert Einstein High school were “born to hand jive” in their musical production
of Grease. This classic musical will make you want to put on a poodle skirt or leather jacket and
Rock ‘N’ Roll!
Originally performed in 1971, Grease tells the story of the charismatic Danny Zuko (Eric Teran)
and his relationship with the innocent, Sandy Dumbrowski (Abigail Kullberg). After first
meeting on a beach and spending a romantic summer together, the two characters are faced with
returning to their normal lives. But when Sandy spontaneously enrolls at Rydell High School, the
young lover’s paths cross once again. The two are forced to overcome social pressures in order
to make their relationship work. There are also many side stories within the main plot involving
supporting characters such as Frenchy’s (Lydia Tefera) internal struggle between going back to
high school and becoming a rather unskilled beautician.
Einstein’s energetic production of Grease made audience members want to get up and dance.
While certain songs and lines were difficult to hear at times due to microphone balance issues,
the cast was constantly full of life and there was never a dull moment during ensemble numbers.
Some main characters were not as convincing as others, but this was soon made up for by the
comedic timing and realistic emotions of supporting actors. One actress who stood out was Lydia
Tefera. This “beauty school dropout” embraced her role as Frenchy by creating a bubbly and
slightly ditzy character making the audience instantly adore her. Along with acting and singing,
her dance skills were also fantastic! Although she was not a featured dancer you could not take
your eyes off of her, Tefera’s technique was exquisite and her facial expressions very engaging!
Tefera was one of the only characters who remained in character for the show’s entirety.
The male vocalists were absolutely stunning; there was not one disappointing number! The duet
“Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Queen” was well executed by Noah Habenstreit and Carlos Castillo
(Doody and Roger). Their tight harmonies were spot on making the women both onstage and off
swoon! Daniel Zucker’s solo as Kenickie, “Grease Lightning” was full of energy and was a
definite crowd pleaser! Eric Teran did an exceptional performance as Danny Zuko, the leader of
the Burger Palace Boys. His singing was absolutely beautiful, especially his falsetto solo in the
song “Alone at a Drive-In Movie”. His high notes were constantly in resonance and never off
pitch.
While lighting was underdone at times, the 1950s high school set created many interesting levels
for the actors to use and were full of dynamic shapes and colors. Set changes also ran very
quickly creating smooth transitions for the actors. In regards to sound, the instrumental music
was at times louder than the singers, but little sound was lost due to the excellent projection of
the cast’s phenomenal vocalists.
Albert Einstein High School pulled off a slick performance of Grease! The musical provided
audience members with an electrifying evening filled with rock ‘n’ roll and some 1950s flair!
by Katie Carbone of West Potomac High School
-------------------------------------------------Why, it’s automatic, it’s systematic, it’s hydramatic, it’s Greased Lightning! The actors of Albert
Einstein High School put on an energetic version of Grease- a musical about the 1959 senior year
of the students of Rydell High School. While a little different from the well known movie, this
stage production would not at all be considered less enjoyable. From the comical characters to
the colorful set and lights, Grease by Albert Einstein High School in Montgomery County was a
blast.
From the very beginning, the Grease ensemble members performed one hundred percent. With
such a large cast and limited space on stage, it was impressive that the small characters danced
full out and never dropped character. The boys especially stood out in the vivacious “Greased
Lightning” number. As for the main characters, Danny, Frenchy and Roger displayed their
talents through their characters perfectly. Danny, played by senior Eric Teran was a marvelous
performer and truly impressed the audience when his falsetto voice came out in “Alone in a
Drive in Movie.” Frenchy, played by senior, Lydia Tefera was absolutely adorable to watch.
Nobody could take their eyes off of her beautiful dance technique and girly facials. Roger,
played by sophomore, Carlos Castillo was hilarious in the “Mooning” number and made great
chemistry with his girl, Jan, played by the sweet and sassy senior, Quiana Jewell. Smaller roles
such as Cha Cha Digregorio, played by junior, Jassim Conteh, and Johnny Casino, played by
junior, David Toro, also performed lively and spiritedly.
Although the set was beautifully made and vibrantly colorful, the Mondrian color block design
was a few decades late. Also, the modern outfits for many ensemble numbers did not go
unnoticed. Luckily, neither of these aspects took away from the talent on stage. The lights of the
show were perfectly placed and not too distracting. Overall, the Albert Einstein High School
production of Grease was well above average for a high school performance and it was obvious
that every audience member enjoyed watching the talented actors and actresses.
by Paige Atkins of West Potomac High School
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