Sibling ‘Grease’ lightning

ON STAGE

Brother and sister keep promise, help St. Dunstan’s Theatre recreate popular play

“Grease” will be performed at St. Dunstan’s Outdoor Greek Theatre in Bloomfield Hills. PHOTO FROM MEGAN HENGESBAUGH, COURTESY OF ST. DUNSTAN’S THEATRE GUILD

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By Anne Erickson

For MediaNews Group

One of the most popular and loved musicals of the 1970s is “Grease,” which made it debut back in 1971 in Chicago at the Kingston Mines Theater.

From there, the show went to Off-Broadway and Broadway, making it a big name, but it wasn’t until the musical was turned into a film in 1978 that “Grease” became one of the most famous productions in American theater. Songs such as “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightning” and “You’re the One That I Want” are still very popular today.

Now, St. Dunstan’s Theatre is gearing up to present “Grease” in their historic Outdoor Greek Theatre. The show will take place on May 30 and 31, as well as June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14. All performances start at 8 p.m.

David and Pamala Martin of Birmingham are co-directing the production, and David is also production designer, designing all the sets and lights. Both of them make a living in the theater and live performance world, so doing this show is a way of giving back to their community. David and Pamala both have BFAs from the University of Windsor, with David’s being in Technical Theater and Pamala’s in Acting.

The brother and sister duo also made a promise to their father before he passed away that they would collaboration on a theater production once a year, so they’re making good on that promise.

“It’s so great to work with my sister and collaborate on a musical like this,” David says. “It has the freshness of high school love and excitement of the high school years, and it’s one of the first rock musicals. It has great songs that people know and love, and the movie really made it come to life. We’re excited to bring this musical to life for the community.”

David says he’s excited about this “Grease” production because they’re working with a lot of young people from the community, as well as seasoned actors from the area.

“The voices and talent will blow you away,” he says. “We’ve tried to create a professional environment and experience within an amateur environment. It’s community theater, but it’s run like a professional experience for everybody, and the cast is learning a lot.”