Metropolis Performing Arts Centre, 111 W Campbell St., is proud to announce that Grease, with music, lyrics and book by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey is now extended through October 26. Grease is directed by Dina DiCostanzo, choreographed by Matthew Weidenbener and music directed by Kevin Reeks. The performance schedule is Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Additional performances are Thursday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are now on sale from $25 to $49 at MetropolisArts.com or by calling the box office at 847.577.2121.
Step back to the fabulous '50s and get ready to hand jive in Metropolis’ first-ever Main Stage production of Grease! Join bad boy Danny Zuko, new girl Sandy Doumbrowski, and the bubblegum-popping hip-shaking Pink Ladies as they navigate their teen years, frolic with friends, and fall in love amidst the backdrop of Rydell High. Grease features unforgettable hits from both the blockbuster movie and the Broadway musical, including “You’re The One That I Want,” “We Go Together,” and “Hopelessly Devoted To You.”
The cast of Grease includes: Eric Amundson (he/him, Danny Zuko); Morgan Wolfe (she/her, Sandy Dumbrowski); Marta Bady (she/her, Betty Rizzo); Michaela Shapiro (they/them, Frenchy); Kathleen Puls Andrades (she/her, Miss Lynch); Julia Hope Budd (she/her, Marty); Abby DeRosa (she/her, Jan); Patrick O’Keefe (he/him, Doody); Peyton Schoenhofer (he/him, Kenicke); Henry Cartaya (he/him, Sonny); Landon Reese Keller (he/him, Roger); Dan Gold (he/him, Vince Fontaine/U/S Teen Angel); Cristina Benninghoff-Uribe (she/her, Cha-Cha aka Charlene DiGregorio); Nathan Kabara (he/him, Eugene Florczyk); Brandon Sapp (he/him, Jonny Casino); Catherine Bevensee (she/her, Patty Simcox/U/S Jan); Justin Grey McPike (they/them, Teen Angel/U/S Jonny Casino); Jake Mickel (he/him, U/S Danny/Doody); Madison Jaffe-Richter (she/her, U/S Sandy Dumbrowski/Patty Simcox); Madison Brunner (she/her, U/S Betty Rizzo/Miss Lynch); Bryanna Ciera Colón (she/her, U/S Frenchy/Marty/Cha-Cha); Aidan Leake (he/him, U/S Kenicke/Eugene) and Kyle Widener (U/S Sonny/Roger). NOTE: Bryanna Ciera Colón will play the role of Marty for the extended performances.
Grease’s orchestra includes Kevin Reeks (they/them, music director/keyboard); Sophie Creutz (tenor sax); Samuel Stein (guitar); Noel Streacker (drums) and Andrew King (bass).
Grease’s creative team is Dina DiCostanzo (she/her, director); Matthew Weidenbener (he/him, choreographer); Kevin Reeks (they/them, music director); Matthew Carney (he/they, casting director); Joe Johnson (scenic design); Christina Leineke (costume design); Levi Wilkins (lighting design); Forrest Gregor (he/him, sound design); Patrick McGuire (he/they, props design); Hannah Lunt (wig & hair design); Christa Retka (intimacy director); Brian Plocharczyk (he/him, violence design); Cristina Benninghoff-Uribe (she/her, dance captain) Travis Hoying (he/him, “Greased Lighting” design); Jessica Kroll (they/she, stage manager); Abby Truett (she/her, assistant stage manager); David Moreland (he/him, Grease technical director) and Trevor Turner (associate technical director).
ABOUT DINA DICOSTANZO, DIRECTOR
Dina DiCostanzo (she/her) is a Chicago-based director, choreographer and entertainer. Originally from Palatine, (St. Viator alum), she holds a BA in theatre from Columbia College Chicago and returns to the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre having last directed and choreographed Beehive! The 60s Musical. DiCostanzo choreographed the Jeff Award-winning original work, Miracle the Musical, at the Royal George and is in her sixth season as the resident choreographer at The Performer’s School in Highland Park. Director/choreographer credits: Nunsense (Up & Coming), On the Town (Highland Park Players), 42nd Street (Music on Stage and Fremont Street Theatre), Hairspray (MOS), Fade Out/Fade In (Porchlight Music Theatre). Choreographic credits include Pajama Game (Highland Park Players), Sweet Charity, The Wild Party (Up & Coming), Thoroughly Modern Millie (MOS), Anything Goes, Drowsy Chaperone, Crazy For You, How to Succeed... (FST), and Sweeney Todd, Pal Joey (associate choreo), Golden Boy and Bells Are Ringing (Porchlight). She has performed on the stages of Drury Lane, Marriott, Paramount, Theatre at the Center, Victory Gardens, Northlight and more, and is the founder and co-lead singer of the Yacht Rock-ettes, the Midwest’s premiere yacht rock band.
ABOUT MATTHEW WEIDENBENER, CHOREOGRAPHER
Matthew Weidenbener (he/him) is excited to be making his debut at Metropolis. He is a performer, choreographer and educator based in Chicago. His Chicago performance and choreography credits include Paramount Theatre (CATS, Frozen, Billy Elliot, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory), Marriott Theatre (Music Man, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Damn Yankees, Hello, Dolly!, Elephant & Piggie), Young People’s Theatre of Chicago (A Year with Frog & Toad, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!, Elephant & Piggie, Junie B. Jones), Porchlight Music Theatre (A Chorus Line), Drury Lane Theatre, Mercury Theatre, Music Theater Works, Children’s Theatre of Winnetka, Northbrook Theatre and TATC. He is proudly represented by DDO Artists.
ABOUT KEVIN REEKS, MUSIC DIRECTOR
Kevin Reeks is thrilled to be working on their first show at Metropolis. Recent credits include: Chalo! A Soccer Musical (Goodman Theater), CATS!, Waitress, The 25th…Spelling Bee, Frozen, Peter and the Starcatcher (Paramount Theatre) and The Music Man, In the Heights (Marriott Theatre).
ABOUT METROPOLIS PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE
Metropolis Performing Arts Centre is a vibrant cultural hub that enriches the community through inspiring live performances, creative arts education, and impactful partnerships. It fosters artistic excellence, cultivates multi-generational connections, and offers inclusive experiences that engage and uplift all community members. Located in the heart of downtown Arlington Heights, Metropolis is not just a theatre, it is the cultural pulse of the area, surrounded by premier shopping, dining, and nightlife. Metropolis offers a dynamic year-round season of professional theatre, comedy, concerts, and cabaret performances along with engaging arts education for ages 3 to 85 years old. Serving more than 65,000 patrons annually from across Chicagoland and beyond, Metropolis plays a pivotal role in the community. It provides arts education programs that support thousands of aspiring young artists, as well as community engagement initiatives like the Third Act Players (musical theatre for thespians over 50), Crescendo Chorus (for singers over 55), Flourish in the Footlights (for young artists with disabilities), and Clearbrook on Cue (for artists with disabilities). Metropolis is proud to partner with local organizations such as Endeavor Health, Arlington Heights Senior Center, and Clearbrook. Scholarships are available for students at the School of the Performing Arts to ensure access to the arts for all.
Grease’s presenting sponsor is Fairport Wealth. The scenic sponsor is Suburban Accents. The season's Paint Sponsor is Marc Poulous Painting and Decorating. The season costume storage sponsor is Jennifer Burnidge, CLU, ChFC, RICP State Farm Agent. Grease is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company.