Grease lightning hits the stage in Holley for 3 shows

Photos by Tom Rivers

HOLLEY – Holley Jr./Sr. High School will be performing the musical Grease this evening at 7, and then two shows on Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Click here for ticket information.

The top photo shows four of the Pink Ladies at a pajama party. Isla Schultz is Marty and she shows a new ring to her friends, from left: Jayda Shampine as Frenchy, Hanna Ostrom as Jan, and Mallory Davis as Rizzo.

Marty sings, “Freddy, My Love.” She is in a long-distance relationship with a Marine. He sends her gifts while he’s stationed in Japan.

Aidan Kelley is Danny Zuko, the leader of the Rydell High T-Birds. His falls in love with Sandy. He is singing, “Summer Nights.”

Bailey Bibbins plays the lead role of Sandy. She also sings “Summer Nights” about her summertime love affair with Danny. Sandy later transforms from schoolgirl sweetheart into a biker beauty.

Khole Pachla is Doody and sings “Those Magic Changes.” Doody is a member of the T-Birds and Frenchy’s boyfriend.

Holley has 62 students in the cast and crew. Kayla Thrower is making her directorial debut for Holley. Thrower, 25, was in the musicals when she was a Holley student.

She is a social studies teacher for seventh- and eighth-graders. She said the musicals helped build her confidence when she was a student.

“I loved it when I was in school,” Thrower said during a rehearsal this week. “It brought me out of my shell.”

She said the musicals are a supportive environment for students.

“It’s fun because you can take on a different persona,” Thrower said. (She was Ursula in Holley’s production of Little Mermaid.) “Every year it’s a chance to build a family.”

It’s a busy weekend for local school musicals. Besides Holley the shows includes Kendall with Willy Wonka, Medina with Momma Mia, and the Albion Middle School with Little Mermaid.

Lyndonville will be performing Newsies from March 21-23, with Albion High School is doing Cinderella on March 28-29.