Grease is the word at PCHS

Theatrical productions are a tradition of long standing at Pierrefonds Comprehensive High School. On the bill of fare for 2009 is Grease, the 1970s Broadway hit that later became a film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John.

“This is the first musical we’ve done in 25 years,” said teacher Lori Brown, directing for the fifth year.

The production, which brings together over 150 students from all grades, two dozen teachers (three of whom appear on stage), and parents, opened last night.

But there was a poignant aspect to the opening gala.

“We renamed the auditorium after teacher Steve Murphy, who put on drama productions at the school for many years until he passed away in 2002,” said Brown, who knew Murphy from when she was a student at PCHS.

“I never got to tell him how influential he was.”

Proceeds from the gala dinner evening and from ticket sales are earmarked for two causes. Half will be donated to the Steve Murphy Scholarship, and the remainder to Invisible Children, a children’s charity in Uganda.

“The version of Grease that we’re doing is the original play by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. It includes a few songs that weren’t in the movie,” said Brown, whose directorial credits include The Importance of Being Earnest and Romeo and Juliet.

Most people are familiar with the story line “about two people who meet in the summer of ’59 and fall in love. They’re from different schools and different worlds – she’s a goody, and he’s a greaser,” she said.

The cast will sing and dance their way through a succession of tunes, among them Summer Nights, Look at Me I’m Sandra Dee, and Alone at the Drive-In.

Grease continues April 23 and 24; curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for students, and can be purchased at the door. The school is located at 13800 Pierrefonds Blvd.

Chronicle, Jacques Pharand