The musical Grease, like the Energizer Bunny, just keeps going and going. There’s even a Grease Sing-A-Long movie where you can follow the lyrics and belt out your own version of “Beauty School Dropout.”
But in a welcome twist, a new version of Grease is opening this week with actors who are about the same age as the characters they play. From Aug. 13-29, Valley Youth Theatre opens its 22nd season with live performances of Grease.
Voted “Best Theatre Company” in Phoenix on  AZCentral, VYT is nationally recognized for the quality of its productions and performers. In fact, VYT has become a huge draw for Hollywood talent scouts looking for the next big thing.
VYT alumni include Jordin Sparks, an American Idol winner; Disney Channel’s Chelsea Staub; Max Crumm, who won a national TV contest to appear in a Broadway production of Grease; and Emma Stone, who’s appeared in House Bunny, Superbad and other movies.
I’ve seen several VYT productions, including High School Musical – cut me some slack here, my niece was in it – and I’ve been wowed by the troupe’s professionalism, set designs and performances. For young actors in Phoenix, VYT is the high water mark.
So if you need another fix of all those beloved 50’s greasers, cheerleaders and jocks, VYT’s production of Grease will satisfy your craving for poodle skirts and pomade. You can buy tickets online for just $18 each. But if Grease is the word for you, don’t wait. Friday’s opening night performance is already sold out.