In Hazleton, ‘Grease’ is the word

Good morning, class. Here’s your assignment for this weekend: Pull out your pom-poms. Shine your saddle shoes. Primp your pompadour. Rev up your ride. Now, head to the Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts where Director Michael Marone and his fun-loving cast will transport you back in time to Rydell High School, 1959, with its high-energy production of “Grease.”

Many people know the love story of clean-cut Sandy and greaser Danny, but few are familiar with the musical’s humble beginnings. Friends and co-creators Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey first came up with the idea for “Grease” over a few beers at a party. The musical debuted as a 5-hour-long amateur production at the Kingston Mines Theatre in Chicago in 1971. Audiences were enthusiastic, and the show moved to New York City, first landing off-Broadway then hitting Broadway in 1972. “Grease” received seven Tony Award nominations and launched revivals in 1994 and 2007. The Pink Ladies and the Burger Palace Boys even made a trip to Hollywood when the Rydell High gang got the silver-screen treatment in 1978 (and a re-release for the film’s 20th anniversary).

Now Hazleton is rocking with the sounds of the hand jive and plenty of summer lovin’.

Marone has been performing with PTPA for a decade, appearing as Eugene when the group last brought “Grease” to the stage nine years ago. Now he’s thrilled to be back at the old alma mater.

“This is round two for me,” he says with a laugh. “The show is just such fun to be in, and it really is fun to direct, too.”

This time around, Marone is in charge of 23 cast members with a wide variety of talents.

“If you’re a really good dancer, there’s a place for you,” says Marone. “If you’re a good singer but not a great dancer, there’s a role for you, too.”

Though pulling together the large cast, a 9-piece band and a slew of technical requirements has been quite a juggling act, particularly in light of holiday festivities, Marone credits the “Grease” gang with making his job more of a day at the beach than a day at the principal’s office.

“This is the most talented cast that I’ve ever worked with,” he says. “They have the ability to pick things up really quickly.”

Like any proud director, Marone can’t wait for audiences to see the results of the cast and crew’s hard work. But this time around, opening night is extra-special. For the first time, when the lights go up, PTPA will be owners of the Broad Street venue rather than tenants.

“We close this week,” he says of the building purchase. “Actually, we close the day before the show opens.”

Marone, who also serves as PTPA’s artistic director, said the group found out the Ferrara Center was experiencing financial difficulty several months ago. Once the building was put up for sale, the theatre company heard of plans for everything from office space to a church.

“It really is the arts and cultural center of Hazleton,” he said. “It would be a big detriment to our community. We couldn’t let that happen.”

So the board met and decided it was the right time for a purchase.

While many theatres are struggling, PTPA is thriving.

“Our sales in the past three years have almost tripled, which is why we can afford to do this,” Marone says.

Marone attributes the group’s success to the fact that PTPA is the only Hazleton-area theatre which offers a full season year-round. Additionally, its seasons are quite varied, with offerings from large-scale musicals to dramas to children’s shows.

“There really is something for everyone. Our season is so diverse,” he says.

Following the production of “Grease,” PTPA will present “Aladdin,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Noises Off,” “Chicago,” “Annie,” “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” After a facelift at the Ferrara Center, PTPA is planning a grand reopening and concert series in May to give the community a chance to see its new and improved home. But for the moment, Marone is focused on keeping the Pink Ladies and the Burger Palace Boys in line and hoping that audiences come to this high-energy high school reunion.

“It’s like reconnecting with an old love. “‘Grease’ is just a wonderful way to get out and enjoy the evening. Hopefully the audience will leave tapping their toes and humming some ‘Grease’ songs on the way home.”

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