(OCEAN, NJ) -- The Axelrod Performing Arts Center is presenting the musical Grease for three weeks, June 3-19 at the Vogel Auditorium. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the musical's Broadway opening, this production of Grease is directed and choreographed by Lisa Stevens. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos during a dress rehearsal of the show.

In the 50 years since Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s musical Grease opened on Broadway, it has become a pop culture sensation, ignited by the 1978 film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The show introduced the world to the popular songs “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “You’re the One That I Want” and the title song “Grease (Is the Word).”  

Isaac Silver stars as Danny and Riley Martin is Sandy. They are joined by Sharaé Moultrie as Rizzo and Garrett Forrestal as Kenickie. The other Pink Ladies include Vanessa Tarabocchia as Marty, Emily Bordley as Frenchy and Brianna Javis as Jan. The Burger Palace Boys include Tony Carrubba as Doody, Beau Bradshaw as Roger and Andrew Leonforte as Sonny. Beatrice Howell plays Patty Simcox, opposite Christian Cieri as Eugene. Kellyann Ross is Miss Lynch and Nick Lunetta is Vince Fontaine. The ensemble includes Lindsay Jorgensen as Cha-Cha, Elle Ouimet, Tanner Kirol and Gavin Bailey. 

The featured role of Teen Angel is played by Asbury Park rock and “soul sensation” Remember Jones, who has starred in Tommy, Hair and Jekyll and Hyde at the Axelrod. 

Grease runs through June 19 at the Vogel Auditorium at the Axelrod Performing Arts Center, 100 Grant Ave., Deal Park. Tickets are available for purchase online or by calling the box office at 732-531-9106, ext. 14. Group discounts available for parties of 10 or more. Visit the website to review the theater’s current COVID policy.

Stevens, who has directed the show in other professional venues, sees Grease as a message about non-conformity and even female empowerment. “The musical centers around an unlikely love story. Danny, the cool leader of the Burger Palace Boys, and Sandy, the naive new girl at Rydell High, experience what it’s like to flip-flop between expectations and who they truly are. The ending of the show is often criticized because Sandy appears to change herself for the love of a man, but I see her transformation as a powerful, feministic choice; a strength only realized through her experiences at Rydell.” 

The production team includes music director Logan Medland, associate director-choreographer Sierra Brewerton, scenic designer Tyler M. Perry, lighting designer Cameron Filepas and sound designer Nikki Belinski, with properties by Susan Bloir and costume design by Scaramouche Costumes of Chester, N.J. 

Here more photos from the show.

If your theatre company is interested in having John Posada cover your plays, contact New Jersey Stage at info@newjerseystage.com.

John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. For more than 15 years, John has photographed live events where he mastered the techniques of timing and capturing fast moving action under challenging lighting conditions. Currently, John has spent the last 3 years concentrating on photographing almost 200 theatre productions for over 70 different theatres. Click here for John's website.