Pink Ladies mix it up with T-Birds at The Palace for a timeless musical teen love story

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grease


MANCHESTER, NH – When the musical “Greasefirst hit the stage 47 years ago, it took off like a well-tuned hot rod and set off a cross-cultural revival of the style and sensibilities of the 1950s. It also brought the characters of Rydell High to life for many generations of audiences to come. Today, it remains one of the most endearing stage shows of modern theatrical times – likely due to the enduring themes of peer pressure, politics, personal core values, and love.

But what makes this show a persistent crowd favorite for Palace Theater-goers is more likely the high-energy production numbers deftly staged by resident Artistic Director Carl Rajotte, and the tightly-snapped string of sing-along songs that first put this show on the musical-lovers must-see map.

Jesse Corbin, a native of Pittsburgh, PA, is ready to take on the role of Danny Zuko, leader of the T-Birds. It will be his first appearance on the Palace Theatre stage. In defining how to develop such a well-known character, Corbin says it’s a healthy mix of fantasy and realtiy.

“We just did our first full run-through of Act 1 and it went shockingly smoothly,” said Corbin last week during a break from rehearsal. “It was a doozy, like back-to-back zumba workouts.”

Jesse Corbin
Jesse Corbin will portray Dany Zuko in “Grease” at the Palace Theatre.

The opportunity to reprise the role of the conflicted lovelorn tough guy with a soft spot for Sandy Dumbrowski – most famously played by the made-for-movie match John Travolta and Olivia Newtown John in 1978 – was one he couldn’t pass up.

“He’s a character a lot of us have known in real life, that guy who puts on a lot of bravado, the cool kid in town – nothing bugs him. But deep down inside, he’s more sensitive. Danny has a heart that’s attracted to this sweet innocent Sandy girl, and he wants to be more of himself around her. So while I’m studying classic Danny, I’m also tapping into people I know, and even a little bit of myself,” Corbin says.

“Not only is it a great role, but literally every friend who’s ever worked here said you’ll have the time of your life,” says Corbin, who is loving his first go-round with the Queen City. “So far, so great.”

He and fellow cast member Jennifer Fogarty, who portrays Pink Lady Marty Maraschino, have been exploring coffee shops and night spots around the city to unwind after long rehearsal sessions. So far, Café la Reine is a go-to favorite, says Fogarty, who recently made the permanent move from Massachusetts to Manchester.

Fogarty first encountered “Grease” as a member of the audience when her sister played Patty Simcox in a high school production. In the role of Marty, Fogarty says she’s focused on exuding a fun and relatable character.

“Marty is definitely a girly-girl, and I’m not really a girly-girl, so that’s been a challenge, to step into those Pink Lady shoes,” Fogarty says. “There are a lot of layers to Marty – she probably comes off as more timid than the others, and she tries to be more sophisticated, but it’s just smoke and mirrors.”

Jen Fogarty
Jen Fogarty, aka Marty Maraschino, is ready to strut her Pink Lady stuff on the Palace Stage.

It takes a strategic mix of smoke, mirrors, and as always, cast chemistry for a solid show to shape up with just a few short weeks of rehearsal time. In this case, the audience will feel like it’s old home week at Rydell High with familiar yet fresh characters they feel like they’ve known for a lifetime.

“Grease is exciting in that way – this is not a traditional ensemble cast in the sense that you have clear leads and a group of people working their butts off to fill in the blanks. You think of Danny and Sandy as leads, but at the end of the day it’s about Rizzo and Kenickie and Marty and Roger… each has great moments to shine and amazing songs and talent,” says Corbin. “I’m really excited to get to the end of the show and see how the audience responds to the characters at curtain call.”  

Fogarty says the audience should be prepared for a few surprises in addition to the familiar mix of songs.

“I don’t want to give anything away, but it will be super refreshing for the audiences, and makes total sense, while being both catchy and loveable,” says Fogarty.

Corbin also foreshadows some of the greased-lightning-in-a-bottle the cast has in store.

“Two moments to look out for, ‘Greased Lightning,’ will deliver all the fun and excitement and energy you expect. It will be exploding off the stage, and I’m sure people will go wild,” he says.

“Also, I honestly think people will be surprised with – and love – the opening, in a goofy unexpected energetic way, like you’ve let the brakes off the train and it’s flying out of the station,” Corbin says.  

Fogarty and Corbin also give props to Palace costumer Jess Moryl (who doubles as a cast member in the role of Frenchie) for capturing all the foof and jive of mid-century teen fashion. They also give shout-outs to two local teens who are part of the Palace teen players – Jenna Bienvenue and Parker McIntyre, who they agree are holding the rest of the cast to a higher standard with their poise and professionalism.

As a final footnote  before opening night on Feb. 23, Corbin says even though “Grease” is so well known, every ensemble cast becomes part of something that, while well-rehearsed, is also spontaneously fresh with every opening.

“I realize there’s a bit of history here with ‘Grease,’ so knowing it’s a fan favorite is thrilling – and  also terrifying. I want to live up to people’s standards and expectations, but it’s exciting to share the show’s history and celebrate that with audience a new audience,” Corbin says.


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EZ Button: Click for tix.

Tickets are available – all now, 603-668-5588, or book onlineChildren (6-12):$25 Adults:$39-$46.

 Click here to reserve the best seat in the house. The Palace Theatre is located at 80 Hanover St., Manchester, NH.

Show dates and times:

  • Friday February 23, 2018 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday February 24, 2018 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday February 25, 2018 2 p.m.
  • Friday March 2, 2018 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday March 3, 2018 2 p.m.
  • Saturday March 3, 2018 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday March 4, 2018 2 p.m.
  • Friday March 9, 2018 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday March 10, 2018 2: p.m.
  • Saturday March 10, 2018 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday March 11, 2018 2 p.m.
  • Thursday March 15, 2018 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday March 16, 2018 7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday March 17, 2018 2 p.m.
  • Saturday March 17, 2018 7:30 p.m.
  • Sunday March 18, 2018 2 p.m.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!