(FLORHAM PARK, NJ) -- A Work of Heart Productions (WHP) will present the classic musical Grease at the Ridgedale Middle School Theater in Florham Park from July 21-23, 2022. Grease is not just a love story between Danny and Sandy, but an homage to friendship, teenage freedom, and of course Rock n' Roll! With iconic songs, classic lines, and unforgettable lyrics, written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, this musical takes us back to the wonderful, carefree year of 1959, when there was no war, a booming economy, and GREAT music.
A wop baba lu mop and wop bam boom! In Jim Jacobs’ and Warren Casey’s fun-loving 50’s style musical “Grease”, an innocent transfer student and leather clad bad boy’s worlds collide at school after a secret summer romance. Not only will their romance be challenged, but also their friendships and identities. The hierarchy of high school is challenged in clique dynamics and the wild life of rock ‘n’ roll is shown through themes of sexuality and embracing the new. This musical shows how lifting each other up and being confident in your skin is the best high school experience.
Performances take place Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 7:30pm; Friday, July 22, 2022 at 7:30pm; and July 23, 2022, at 2:00pm & 7:30pm. Tickets are available for purchase online.
“Grease really has it all! Music, dancing, nostalgia, and entertainment,” says artistic director Angelo DeFazio. “This show, even 50 years later, is sure to be an audience favorite.”
Cast members include Joe Moschella (East Hanover), Kaitlyn Huamani (Gladstone), Sophia Monte (Wayne), Griffin Gartlgruber (Hunterdon County), Courtney Mincolelli (Whippany), Morgan Vybihal (West Caldwell), Natalie Cattuna (Wayne), Emmy Henning (Florham Park), Lexylee Martinez (Jersey City), Hallie Lippey (Bridgewater), Lily Mecca (Maplewood), Elena Latiano (Clifton), Charlotte Speck (Whippany), Sam Dentinger (Wayne), Mia Cicarelli (Florham Park), Matthew White (Basking Ridge), Andrew Gorski (Montville), Elissa Ditkowsky (Hillsborough), Francesca Salluce (West Caldwell), Emma Zachary (Whippany), Jackie Tkaczenko (Wayne), Calista Toussas (Wayne), Caitlin Dalton (Clifton), Jill Rovere (Wayne), Victoria Rossi (East Hanover), Tess Carvelli (Morristown), Jackie Harris (Berkeley Heights), Rachel Henning (Florham Park), John Mincolleli (Whippany), Charlotte Vybihal (West Caldwell), and Erin Quinn (Whippany).
Production team includes director, producer, and executive producer Angelo DeFazio, director, producer, executive producer and WHP founder Nicole Lippey, musical director Lisa Russoniello, production stage manager Jennifer Graham-Macht, and assistant stage manager John Mincolleli.
A Work of Heart Productions (WHP) was founded in 2014 by Nicole Lippey. The company consists of professional New York City performers, and produces shows, musicals in concert, and a monthly cabaret series at the famed Feinstein’s/54 Below, The Triad Theater, The Metropolitan Room, and more. WHP also offers a summer community Main Stage production. Our roster of Artist-Mentors includes Sean Green, Jr. (“Hamilton” on Broadway), Erin Dilly (Broadway Legend and Tony Nominee), Hilary Maiberger (Belle, International Tour of “Beauty and the Beast”), Katie Travis (Christine Daae, Broadway and National Tour of “Phantom of the Opera”), and more!
Ridgedale Middle School (71 Ridgedale Avenue), built in the 1930s, is a school located for students in grades six through eight. It is located in Florham Park, NJ. This school has a newly renovated auditorium, which will be used for the first time by A Work of Heart Productions. The theater is the home of the school’s drama club, which present winter musicals and spring dramas. For more information on the renovation of the auditorium, visit https://www.fpks.org/referendum.
