The production takes place about 15 years after the school’s last musical production, according to current staff and students.

The 52 cast members will be singing and dancing their way through the show, which takes place in the 1950s. The cast members are transformed into high school students at Rydell High School in the era of poodle skirts and slick hair styles.

A young, enamored couple — Sandy, played by senior Taylor Bokota and Danny, played by junior Moses Alvarez — rekindle their feelings for one another in the academic year after a summer fling that left them uncertain of whether they’d see one another again.

The lead characters are surrounded by a supporting cast of females as the Pink Ladies and the males playing the T-birds.

Adventures at the fictional high school involve slumber parties, a night at the drive-in theater, dance competition and a pregnancy scare.

The cast is supported by a stage crew of more than 30 students and live music from a pit, comprised of students and community members including retired band director Bob Spargo and led by current music teacher Marti Fults, according to the show’s director, Matthew Roble. Fults and high school choir teacher Thomas Munderloh are assistant directors.

Roble said the high school administration and music department faculty began preparations almost a year ago. Auditions were held in April and there was a summer musical camp where rehearsals started in mid-August, he said. Since then rehearsals have been ongoing.

"‘Grease’ is well known. We should have hopefully some huge crowds that really enjoy the music from "Grease," the old-time classic rock and roll and the really toe-tapping music," he said. "People should really come and enjoy it, and they know the story, too," Roble said.

Students with lead roles realize the challenges in fulfilling expectations.

Bokota sings a solo and several duets. Some might recall the numbers "Summer Nights," and "It’s Raining on Prom Night."

"I just try to be my character and think ‘What would Sandy do’, memorize all my lines and try to have fun with it," Bokota said.

The students said they enjoyed playing characters whose personalities are opposite theirs.

Senior Melissa Blumberg likes her part. She plays the role of Cha-cha, who participates in a dance contest in the show. "I feel really good about it because I danced for 10 years so dancing kind of flows through my blood, so I was really excited to be a part of it. And it’s really fun to get dressed up and pretend to be someone that’s completely out of your character," she said.

"She (Cha-cha) is really out there and blunt about how she feels whereas me, like I have my opinions, but I never want to hurt the feelings of people around me, and she just doesn’t really care about how other people feel...She’s not very warm-hearted, and I like to think of myself as a warm-hearted person," Blumberg said.

Sophomore Jason Seufzer plays Eugene. "He’s the most unique character I would say. He’s the nerdy guy, and it’s just fun to play him because he’s totally not me," he said. "I think his role is to pretty much stand out. He’s the most awkward character, and he adds humour definitely."

On dress rehearsal day Seufzer wore a suit coat, plaid pants and matching plaid bow tie.

He said he likes his costume. "I would never wear anything like this. The costumes are pretty outrageous," he added.

Senior Andrew Jonas performs as Kenickie. "He’s kind of like one of the people who keeps everything inside pretty much...On the inside he’s kind of sensitive once in a while," Jonas said. He added, "He takes pride in his car."

Junior Sarah Shirley performs as Rizzo. "She’s kind of the bad girl in charge of the rough crowd," Shirley said. "It’s fun. It’s a stretch from who I am day to day, definitely."

The students encouraged people to see the musical.

"It’s something different. It’s not what’s been going on in the world today. It’s back in the 50s and it could bring back memories for older people and give kids the taste of what it used to be like," Jonas said.

Alvarez, who has the lead role of Danny and sings tunes such as, "Summer Loving," "All Alone at the Drive-in," and "All Choked Up," said everything about the production won’t be predictable.

"It’s a lot of fun. It’s got some twists in it. We make it our own. It’s got some high school humour in it," he said.

As one of the 30-plus members working behind the scenes, light and sound technician Kory Petersen is one of the first people on the set for rehearsals. Petersen said he also operates the sound and lights for concerts, but admitted the musical work is more difficult. He has to turn microphones on and off when characters enter the stage and operate the lights according to script and stage positions.

"I hope a lot of people come to the show. It’s going to be very terrific. We’ve got new lights, new sound. We’ve got a lot of new microphones. We’ve got a lot of nice props that are new," Petersen said. And he said the cast has put forth a lot of effort. "I hope to see a big crowd. They deserve it," he said.

Roble said the production’s success will be thanks to the school and community, naming a fundraiser that Trappers Turn Golf Course hosted in summer.

"The Golf for a Song has provided us with the ability to do this and the Wisconsin Dells Art Association. Since we hadn’t had a musical in so long, the sound and lights especially had to be refurbished, and we’ve been able to do that. It’s been quite a project. It’s a full production. Lots of what happens will not even be seen. There’s so much going on behind the stage," he said.

He added that extra hours went into set building, sounds, lights, and parents donating props.

The high school cast and crew will deliver a special performance for students in sixth-12th grades on Nov. 13 at 1:45 p.m. at the high school. Performances open to the public will be held Nov. 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 15 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $5 and can be obtained by calling the high school at 253-1461, ext. 1309, e-mailing Matthew Roble at mroble@sdwd.k12.wi.us, purchasing them from a cast member or at the door.