As Oxford High School began taking on another year, OHS theatre was getting ready to perform a play or musical. This year the musical that they chose was “Grease,” the very popular teenage love story. With this being the very first musical of the year, the cast and production team is determined to make it a complete showstopper to show the Oxford School District and community all of the amazing things that they can do.
This year, the first musical made its debut in the midst of homecoming week. This brought even more excitement and anticipation towards the musical “Grease.”
“I am looking forward to sharing this iconic musical with the students and community, “ Davenport said. “A friend of mine was directing it in Los Angeles and she inspired me to revisit the show. I also thought our students would enjoy
it. Even though the script is lacking, the music more than makes up for it.”
Along with Davenport’s desire and excitement to have the Oxford High School theater productions program perform “Grease,” cast member and senior Ann Luckett Montgomery who plays the role of Sandy Dombrowski feels that way
as well.
“‘Grease’ has been one of my favorite musicals since I was a kid,” Montgomery said. “My grandmother used to have a cassette player, and one of the only movies we watched was ‘Grease,’ so it holds a special place in my relationship with my grandmother. She was ecstatic when she found out that I am Sandy, and I am so thankful I get to play her character.”
The musical “Grease,” and theatre in general, holds a very special place in the hearts of many of the actors and the director. Junior and cast member Will Winkle who plays Vince Fontaine feels very connected to theater.
“In the past 10 years I’ve done theatre and it has grown into a very special place in my heart,” Winkle said. “The people, the performances and, most of all, the laughter that I get out of it makes me want to come back and audition, year in and year out.”
Something that makes Oxford High School special is that OHS theatre puts on four shows each school year. This being said, the cast has a very short turn around time for each production. The turnaround time for “Grease” is five weeks, which is shorter than some and longer than other turn arounds they have had in the past.
“Rehearsal days are different for every character,” Montgomery said. “And it really depends on if you are in the scene that is scheduled for that night. They last from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., but usually go on longer closer to the show dates. Since my school related activities like choir and orchestra are actual class periods, rehearsal doesn’t really interfere with my school activities, but I do put some personal extracurriculars on pause for the duration of the show. We have around one and a half months in total to put the whole show together, so while it is a big time commitment, it only lasts a short period of time.”
The Oxford High School theatre is known for putting together breathtaking shows that move the audience as well as the cast members. That is even known to be some of the actors and actresses favorite parts about the theater program at
Oxford High School.
“With every musical I’m in I’m always most looking forward to opening night,” Winkle said. “Just to feel those stage lights on your face and hear the applause. There really is nothing quite like it.”
