Elevator Thoughts (aka Tweet): Village Theatre’s Grease musical is pure magic! Maya McQueen and Daniel Velasquez shine backed by the theatre’s signature top-tier choreo, vocals, and band. The retro doo-wop score and squeaky-clean 1950s harmonies/setting were reminiscent of The 5th Ave’s Bye Bye Birdie. Closed in Issaquah, but still playing in Everett through June 7! 🎸
See it!
Was This the First Time I Attended a Production of this Show? No, this was probably the 2nd or 3rd time I’ve seen the show.
Would I See It Again 3 Years from Now? Absolutely
Mainstream Appeal: Medium to high
If A Random Stranger Asked What Show They Should See This Weekend, Would I Mention This Production? Absolutely
My Synopsis (No Spoilers): Set against the backdrop of the 1950s, this classic musical follows a tight-knit circle of high school teens and the central, identity-shifting romance between good-girl Sandy and bad-boy Danny.
Synopsis from the Licensor or Theatre Company: Ohhh those summer nights! From its earliest performance in a Chicago nightclub through its record-breaking Broadway run and hit feature film, Grease has remained one of the world’s most popular musicals. Featuring the many hit songs that became the soundtrack of a generation, like “Greased Lightnin’,” “Alone at the Drive-in Movie,” and “It’s Raining on Prom Night,” this 1950s pop culture satire is filled to the brim with grit, glam, and youthful exuberance. In roles made famous by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive their sizzling summer fling as the Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies of Rydell High’s senior class navigate the peer pressures and social politics of high school in the 1950s. Directed and choreographed by Lisa Shriver, this production of Grease promises nonstop, nostalgic, hydromatic fun. So throw on a poodle skirt, dust off that leather jacket, and rediscover the show that’s been winning hearts for generations!
Type: Musical
World Premiere: No
Several or Few Scenes: Several
Several or Few Settings/Locations: Several
Static (Stationary) or Dynamic Set: Mostly dynamic
Prior Exposure/Knowledge Required: You may appreciate this musical better if you saw the classic movie first. However, while modern audiences might naturally look to the film as a reference point, the stage production actually predates its cinematic counterpart. Experiencing the familiar musical numbers in their original sequence was a delightfully disorienting twist that added a fresh layer of appreciation to the show.
Defined Plot/Storyline: Yes
Live Band/Orchestra: Yes
Union Actor(s): 7
Total Actor(s): 16
Perceived Pace of the Show: Medium speed
Was there an intermission? Yes
Length (Including Any Intermission): 2.5 hours
Other Rave(s)
- Vocals and Musical Performances: Ben Dow (as Doody) delivered a charming rendition of “Those Magic Changes,” beautifully backed by the doo-wop harmonies of the Burger Palace Boys. The number was a delightful reminder of his previous work in Jersey Boys at this same venue and rightfully earned him an extended ovation. Chad Marge (as Kenickie) garnered a similarly enthusiastic extended response, bolstered by that same strong ensemble energy in “Greased Lightnin’.” “Mooning” emerged as an unexpected highlight, featuring the sweet harmonies between Nick McCarthy (as Roger) and Pilar O’Connell (as Jan). McCarthy and Dow also teamed up for “Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Queen,” treating the audience to a wonderfully effortless vocal and guitar duet surprise hit. Meanwhile, Maya McQueen (as Sandy) provided a lovely touch by turning “It’s Raining on Prom Night” into a duet with the radio, before fully unleashing her powerhouse vocals in the iconic ballad, “Hopelessly Devoted to You.”
- Choreography: Director and choreographer Lisa Shriver’s dance numbers were largely outstanding. High-energy highlights included the Act II opener, “Shakin’ at the High School Hop,” alongside the iconic “Greased Lightnin’” and “Born to Hand Jive.” However, “Greased Lightnin’” felt like it could have benefited from a little tap dancing, and the signature hand jive sequence strangely lacked a prominent display of its namesake movements. Additionally, the Issaquah stage felt a bit too confined for the expansive prom choreography. Hopefully, that was alleviated by the production’s transfer to the Everett stage.
- Scenic Design: Jason Ardizzone-West transformed the stage into a high school gym. Uniquely, the live band was situated on a second-level balcony, evoking the staging of Mimi’s “Out Tonight” in Rent. The scenic pièce de résistance arrived during the sparkly dream sequence of “Beauty School Dropout,” when the gym bleachers surprisingly parted and giant hairspray cans (perhaps reused from a past production of Hairspray) released mist into the air.
Theatre Company: Village Theatre
Venue: Village Theatre
Venue Physical Address:
2710 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA 98201
or 303 Front St N, Issaquah, WA 98027
Price Range: 52-145 USD
Ticket Affordability Options: Check out the Village Theatre discount page.
Dates: March 24 – May 3, 2026 in Issaquah and May 9 – June 7, 2026 in Everett
Seating: Assigned Seats
Parking: There’s free street parking and some paid parking lots/garages. In Issaquah, I usually end up parking on Rainier Boulevard North. As a last resort, you can always find parking at the library but it’s a little far. Remember, there’s a bottom floor parking lot under the library’s main parking lot that mostly only locals know about.
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Photos: See production photos below by Nikki Womac.
Cast and Production Team: See after photos below.
Village Theatre
Mainstage + New Works + Youth Education
Adam Immerwahr, Artistic Director | Derek Watanabe, Managing Director
Grease
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey
Francis J. Gaudette Theatre: Mar 24–May 3, 2026
Everett Performing Arts Center: May 9–Jun 7, 2026
- Set Designer: Jason Ardizzone-West
- Costume Designer: Danielle Nieves
- Lighting Designer: Robert J Aguilar
- Sound Designer: Ken Travis
- Stage Manager: JR Welden*
- Music Director: Tim Symons
- Director/Choreographer: Lisa Shriver
Grease is presented by arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. www.concordtheatricals.com
Season Sponsors: 4Culture, ArtsFund, Boeing, Microsoft, Enzo’s Bistro & Bar, Hook & Cleaver, Lombardi’s
Producing Sponsors: Visit Everett, City of Issaquah Arts Commission, Seattle Northcountry
Show Sponsors: Klein Honda, Rowley Properties
Cast
- Patty Simcox: Alegra Batara
- Doody: Ben Dow*
- Frenchy: Tori Gresham*
- Kenickie: Chad Marge
- Marty: Cherisse Martinelli
- Roger, u/s Danny: Nick McCarthy*
- Sandy Dumbrowski: Maya McQueen
- Jan: Pilar O’Connell*
- Vince Fontaine, Fight Captain: Brandon O’Neill*
- Eugene, u/s Doody: Connor Russell*
- Rizzo: Jasmine Jean Sim
- Teen Angel, Johnny Casino: Dane Stokinger
- Miss Lynch: Teri Lee Thomas
- Danny Zuko: Daniel Velasquez*
- Sonny, u/s Kenickie: Jeffery Wallace
- Cha-Cha, Dance Captain: Shelby Willis
Understudies
- Frenchy, Cha-Cha, Jan: Susanna Cathryn Ballenski
- Eugene, Roger: Tommy Beale
- Sonny, Kenickie, Roger, Doody, Eugene: Conor Breen
- Johnny Casino, Vince Fontaine, Teen Angel, Vocal Captain: Danny Kam
- Marty, Rizzo, Miss Lynch: Jacqueline Tardanico
- Sandy, Patty: Chailia Wendland
Stage Management
- Stage Manager: JR Welden*
- Assistant Stage Manager: Anna Vraney*
- Assistant Stage Manager (2/10-4/5): Miranda Mikolaizik*
- Production Assistant and Assistant Stage Manager (4/3-5/31): Ethan Swim
- Assistant Stage Manager Cover: Nicola Krause
*The Actors and Stage Managers are members of the Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
Orchestra
- Piano/Conductor (03/24-04/05): Tim Symons
- Conductor/Keyboard 1 (04/08-06/07): Michael Nutting
- Guitar 1: Greg Fulton or Anthony Pooley
- Guitar 2: Elisa Money
- Bass: Olivia D Hamilton or Ethan Sobotta
- Drums: Emily Westman
- Alto Sax/Tenor Sax: Eric Patterson or Natalie Petty or Derek Smith
- Bari Sax/Tenor Sax: Jay Easton
Setting
Rydell High School, 1958.
For This Production
- Associate Director: Jessica Low
- Associate Choreographer: Katy Tabb
- Associate Music Director: Elisa Money
- Associate Set Designer: Emma Antenen
- Associate Lighting Designer: Casey Price
- Fight Director: Geoffrey Alm
- Intimacy Director: Bretteney Beverly
- Dialect Coach: Gin Hammond
- New York Casting: Calleri Jensen Davis
- Dance Assistant: Aaron Gordon
- Music Prep: Paul Stovall
Special Thanks
- Rod “Red” Gibson, Christie Lites Seattle
- Totem Lake Shoe Repair
Crew
- Head Stage Carpenter (Issaquah): Whitman Paylor
- Head Stage Carpenter (Everett): Chris Mikolaizik
- Lead Deck, Automation (Issaquah): Olof Sander
- Lead Deck, Automation (Everett): Justin Babbitt
- Lead Deck, Props (Issaquah): Paige Donald
- Lead Deck, Props (Everett): Kyle Morgan
- Key Deck: Chris Ippolito
- Head Electrician (Issaquah): Paul Arnold
- Head Electrician (Everett): Brandon Cullinan
- Follow Spot Operator (Issaquah): Richard Cole
- Follow Spot Operator/Swing Technician: Casey Leugemors
- Follow Spot Operator (Everett): Johnny Junior Venegas
- Head Audio (Issaquah): Steven Younkins
- Head Audio (Everett): Jesse Worley
- Lead Audio/A2 (Issaquah): Jakob Dyson
- Lead Audio/A2 (Everett): Charlie Sandford
- Head Wardrobe (Issaquah): Kate Simpson
- Head Wardrobe (Everett): Malena Langlie
- Lead Wardrobe: Kali Pohle
- Key Wardrobe: Lisa Marie Hanson
- Wardrobe Swing: Myla Hightower
- Head Wig Artisan/Resident Wig Designer: Doug Decker
- Wig Assistant, Everett Maintenance: Jordan Kearns
