by Rose Rushe
LUCKY to grab the music rights of ‘Grease’ ahead of other groups in Association of Irish Musical Society (AIMS), Cecilian Musical Society will stage this 1950s spectacular at Lime Tree Theatre, November 26 to 29.
Trust this established, winning troupe to groom the most out of roles for its 13 leads. Rehearsals began last August.
“We are working on ‘Grease’ for far longer than that,” stated Des Henn, director and producer at the media launch. “This is the premier, the first time it will be done in Limerick by an adult group. Back in 1986 I was in ‘Grease’ myself with Limerick Youth Theatre, a show directed by Pat Frost’.
Picture: Liam Burke/Press 22
About stealing a march on their AIMS brethern, “it was expensive enough,” admits Barbara Meany, award winning choreographer working on the show – and Des’s missus. “Everyone wants it. The only guarantee is that we well get it in back in seats and booking is strong already”. (www.limetreetheatre.ie)
With Brian Finn as Danny (from MIDAS’ ‘Beauty and the Beast’) and Muireann Carr as Sandy, Eoghan Aherne as Kenickie and Kate Hurley playing Rizzo, the complex sets will be managed by technical director Brian Murphy.
“That’s a huge job this year and the band is elevated above the stage. There’s a cast of 40, 14 people working backstage and another 20 in the background”.
A vintage car has been topped and sprayed and looks the real deal, centrepiece for Danny’s Burger Palace boys.
The Cecilians gave warm thanks to Cathaoirleach Kevin Sheahan who officiated at the launch, also Limerick City and County Council with special mention to Paul Foley, and new partner, Limerick College of Further Education. In a unique tie-in, the college is costuming the cheerleaders and the dressy high school prom where hormones and beauty school dropouts will sing from November 26 to 29, 8pm show.
