Summer’s electrifying as Theatre Bristol announces the hit rock ‘n’ roll musical “Grease” is on stage at the Paramount Center for the Arts June 19-28. Tickets are on sale at ParamountBristol.org/Grease.
With a hip-shaking rock ’n’ roll score featuring hits like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “We Go Together,” “Grease” celebrates Rydell High’s class of 1959 in all their duck-tailed, bobby-soxed, gum-snapping glory. Add in “You’re the One that I Want,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Grease,” from the classic movie, and see why a run on Broadway and two subsequent revivals place the award-winning “Grease” among the world’s most popular musicals.
It’s senior year and head “greaser” Danny Zuko played by Hunter Dobbs and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski played by Camille Gray try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights.” Greasers, Deklan Thomas as Kenickie, Michael Trotter-Lawson as Sonny, Koty Peak as Roger, and Dani Freeman as Doody, and “Pink Ladies,” Annie Brenner as Rizzo, Laken Miller as Frenchy, Carly Street as Marty and Kristen Hall as Jan, explore rebellion and peer pressure while singing and dancing their way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “Sandy” and “Beauty School Dropout,” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation.
Preppy Patty Simcox is played by D’Arcy Morrell and Copper Knapp plays nerd Eugene Florczyk. English teacher Miss Lynch, played by Erika Loudy, keeps the students in line. Zaiah Gray charms as WAXX radio personality Vince Fontaine. Annie Barranco is the best dancer at St. Bernadette’s, Cha-Cha DiGregorio. David Brooks is heartthrob Teen Angel, and sings the catchy “Born To Hand-Jive” as Johnny Casino. Student boppers and sockhoppers, as well as mechanics and angels, are dolls Morgan Gilstrap, Mylie Hibbs, Erin Solley, Libby Street, Marleina Turner, and Carlie Whitaker, and daddy-os Jonah Harvey, Scott Hill, Reece Hilt, Sylas Lawson, Beck Pickard, and Skylar Sutherland.
Glenn Patterson, director of recent productions including “Disney’s The Little Mermaid,” “Into the Woods,” “The Sound of Music,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Les Miserables” and “A Christmas Carol,” directs this American classic. Patterson is supported by stage manager Adriel Slaughter, choreographer and costume designer Camille Gray, scenic designer David D. Hyde Jr., props artisan Rebecca Ryan, carpenter Luke Gray, production stage manager Nicole Intagliata, assistant stage managers Ann Vance and Terra White, special effects designer and technician Albert Tester, and producer Samantha Gray.
Theatre Bristol opens “Grease” June 19 and runs performances for two weekends through June 28 at the beautiful Paramount Bristol, Bristol, Virginia, Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $16 (with fees $21.50), and for students and seniors $12 (with fees $17.50). Reservations may be made at ParamountBristol.org/GREASE.
“Grease” is part of Theatre Bristol’s 2026 Season of comedies, dramas and musicals based in the USA in celebration of 250 years, including “American Tall Tales” with River’s Way, “Charlotte’s Web,” Red, White and Tuna,” “The Mockingbird Sings,” “Deathtrap.” and “It’s A Wonderful Life - The Musical” and the Cathy DeCaterina School of Theatre Arts classes; “The Spongebob Musical: Youth Edition”; PLAYtime in the ARTspace; The StART of Adventure summer camp; and audition and stagecraft workshops.
Founded in 1965 by Cathy DeCaterina, Theatre Bristol is a 61-year-old nonprofit community theater located on historic State Street in downtown Bristol in both Tennessee and Virginia. Its dramas, comedies and musical productions take place in the black box ARTspace theatre, the historic Cameo Theatre and at the Paramount Center for the Arts. Theatre Bristol is a volunteer-operated community organization and invites everyone to get involved.
For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol’s website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.
