Grease

In This Program

• About the Show
• Credits
• A Note from Adam Immerwahr, Artistic Director
• Musical Numbers
• Who’s Who
• Before Broadway: The Gritty Roots of Grease
• We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up
• Sponsor Spotlights
• Print Edition
• More About Village Theatre

About the Show

ADAM IMMERWAHR, Artistic Director

DEREK WATANABE, Managing Director

Book, Music, and Lyrics by

Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey

Francis J. Gaudette Theatre
March 24– May 3, 2026

Everett Performing Arts Center
May 9 – June 7, 2026

Set Designer
Jason Ardizzone-West

Costume Designer
Danielle Nieves

Lighting Designer
Robert J Aguilar

Sound Designer
Ken Travis

Stage Manager
JR Welden*

Music Director
Tim Symons

Director/Choreographer
Lisa Shriver

Grease is presented by arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. www.concordtheatricals.com

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: 
https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists

Setting

Rydell High School, 1958.

Season Sponsors

4Culture
Artsfund
Boeing
Microsoft
Enzo's Bistro & Bar
Hook & Cleaver | Lombardi's Italian Restaurant and Bar

Producing Sponsors

Everett, WA
City of Issaquah Arts Commission
Seattle NorthCountry, made possible in part by assistance from the Snohomish

Show Sponsors

Klien Honda
Rowley Properties
Wm Grassie Wine Estates

Credits

*The Actors and Stage Managers are members of the Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. 

Special Thanks

Rod “Red” Gibson, Christie Lites Seattle
Totem Lake Shoe Repair

Dear Patrons,

Welcome to Grease.

This show was among the most-requested on our annual subscriber survey—a testament to the nostalgic place it holds in many hearts. And while the musical is a joyous celebration of teenage life in a fictional late 1950s, it also unflinchingly exposes the ugly underbelly of teen culture. I’m so grateful to have a longtime collaborator, director-choreographer Lisa Shriver at the helm (whose work you may recall from our production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical). As the parent of a 16-year-old, Shriver reminds us that the social pressures, gossip, and cruelty of teenagerhood are very much alive today. “Being a teenager is hard,” she wrote in the playbill of Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville. “I wanted to direct this show and tell this story for my teenage daughter.” Shriver asks us not to look away from the story’s more unpleasant elements—the way these young men talk about and treat young women, the pressures these characters place on each other and themselves—because by observing them, we may learn something about ourselves. All while having a delightfully good time, of course!

I’m honored to share a wonderful season ahead for our community. We’ll kick off with an epic musical featuring one of the most glorious scores in the musical theater repertoire: RAGTIME. If you haven’t experienced it before, you have quite a treat ahead—and I can’t think of a better way to honor the United States’ 250th birthday than with this modern masterpiece, which reflects both the hopes and dreams of our nation and the difficult realities of our history. After that, we fly to Gander, Newfoundland, for a new production of Come From Away—a celebration of humanity at its best, telling the heartwarming true story of the extraordinary community that formed in a small Canadian town in the aftermath of tragedy. Then it’s time for murder—with the queen of crime herself, Agatha Christie! We find ourselves stranded with a killer in the bone-chilling And Then There Were None. Next, one of the most exciting new musicals of the 21st century: Dear Evan Hansen, led by the creative team that brought us Legally Blonde just a few seasons ago. Our new season will close with world premiere musical, Love Is Dead, a hilariously twisted rom-com about a woman who falls in love with the very attractive ghost haunting her Airbnb.

But first, one more show this season: We Ain’t Ever Gonna Break Up: The Hymon
and Parfunkel Musical—a new satirical musical performed entirely by its two
writers, who play all the roles and all the instruments. Truly not to be missed.

Yours,

Adam Immerwahr       
Artistic Director              

Musical Numbers

Act One

“Alma Mater”
Miss Lynch, Patty, Eugene and Company

“Rydell Alma Mater (Parody)”
Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys

“Summer Nights”
Sandy, Danny, Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys

“Those Magic Changes”
Doody, Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys

“Freddy, My Love”
Marty and Pink Ladies

“Greased Lightnin’”
Kenickie and Burger Palace Boys

“Rydell Fight Song”
Sandy and Patty

“Mooning”
Roger and Jan

“Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee”
Rizzo

“We Go Together”
Company

Act Two

“Shakin’ at the High School Hop”
Company

“It’s Raining on Prom Night”
Sandy and Radio Singer

“Born to Hand Jive”
Johnny Casino and Company

“Hopelessly Devoted”
Sandy

“Beauty School Dropout”
Teen Angel, Frenchy, and Female Angels

“Alone at the Drive-In Movie”
Danny, Burger Palace Boys

“Rock ‘N’ Roll Party Queen”
Doody, Roger

“There Are Worse Things I Could Do”
Rizzo

“Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee (Reprise)”
Sandy

“You’re the One That I Want”
Sandy, Danny, Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys

“We Go Together (Reprise)”
Company

Who’s Who

Cast

ALEGRA BATARA, they/them (Patty Simcox) is thrilled to be back at Village Theatre, this time in a musical! Village credits: Marianne in Sense and Sensibility and Maid Marian in Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood. Select Seattle credits: Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Sylvia in Two Gentlemen of Verona (Seattle Shakespeare Company), and Nancy in Oliver! (Reboot Theatre). Alegra is a producer for Pork Filled Productions. Love to family and friends for their continued support of their dream chasing. Alegrabatara.com

BEN DOW, he/him (Doody) is beyond thrilled to be returning to Village Theatre! Village Theatre credits: Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde: The Musical. Other credits: Elf The Musical (The 5th Avenue Theatre), Elf The Musical, Grease (Drury Lane Theatre), Dames at Sea (Peninsula Players Theatre), Sons of Hollywood (Windy City Playhouse). Ben has a BFA in musical theatre from Indiana University Bloomington and is proudly represented by Stewart Talent – Chicago. Love to Maya and family. @bendow1322 / bennelsondow.com

TORI GRESHAM, she/her (Frenchy) has been seen before at Village as Amber in Hairspray and in the Ensembles of Matilda the Musical and Guys and Dolls. She most recently was seen as Jovie in Elf The Musical, Dawn in Waitress, and Gloria Rasputin in Bye Bye Birdie (The 5th Avenue Theatre). She is also a company member of Seattle’s Can Can Culinary Cabaret. Much love to everyone who believes in her - especially J. @torigresh torigresham.com

CHAD MARGE, (Kenickie) is delighted to make his Village Theatre debut in Grease! Chad graduated from the University of Michigan with a BFA in musical theater (Go Blue!). Most recently, he played Drew in Rock of Ages (Axelrod Performing Arts Center). He would like to thank the cast, crew and creative team, his agents at Henderson Hogan Agency, and his friends & family for being so lovely. chadmarge.com, Instagram: @ccmarge Love & Light.

CHERISSE MARTINELLI, (Marty) is overjoyed to be returning to high school after attending Harvard Law School last season as Vivienne Kensington in Legally Blonde: The Musical. Previous Village Theatre shows include: Beautiful: The Carol King Musical, String, and Disney’s Newsies. Other recent credits: Waitress (The 5th Avenue Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars), Jersey Boys (Great Lakes Center for the Arts), and Sister Act (Taproot Theatre). Always grateful for the gift and to the Giver. For la familia Martinelli!

NICK MCCARTHY, he/him (Roger, u/s Danny) is over the moon to be back at Village after 10 years away! What a reunion! You may recognize him from the last couple of seasons at The 5th Avenue Theatre in Elf The Musical, Bye Bye Birdie, Waitress, and Disney’s Mary Poppins. Additional credits include: Frederic in Pirates of Penzance, George in The Drowsy Chaperone, and Danny in Schwartz’ The Magic Show (The Magic Castle). Love to Em, M&D, and family. @NickCMcCarthy

MAYA MCQUEEN, she/her (Sandy Dumbrowski) is so thrilled to return to Village Theatre! A proud Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE alum, this theater feels like home. Select credits include work at: The 5th Avenue Theatre, Marriott Theatre, Mercury Theater Chicago, Peninsula Players, Northlight Theatre, Union Arts Center. Film: Screams from the Tower. Maya is proudly represented by Stewart Talent. Love to Mom, Dad, and Ben. @mayajmcqueen

PILAR O’CONNELL, they/them (Jan) is a Latiné actor from New Mexico. They are thrilled to be making their Village Theatre debut! Recent credits: Shrew, Twelfth Night (Union Arts Center); The Snow Queen, A Tale of Peter Rabbit (Seattle Children’s Theatre); Two Gentlemen of Verona, Cymbeline (Seattle Shakespeare Company); The Tempest, I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter (Seattle Rep); Mala, Christmastown (Seattle Public Theater); and Every Brilliant Thing (Santa Fe Playhouse). For Entheos always.

BRANDON O’NEILL, he/him (Vince Fontaine, Fight Captain). Previous Village Theatre appearances: 9 to 5 the Musical, Camelot, Ken Ludwig’s Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood. Broadway: Disney’s Aladdin (Original Broadway Cast), A Bronx Tale (first replacement), Disney’s Aladdin: Live from the West End (upcoming film release). Select regional: Dracula, Oslo, Pride & Prejudice, A View from the Bridge, Assassins, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Beatrice and Benedict, Sondheim at the Pops. Voice of “Crow” in Bungie’s Destiny.
brandon-oneill.com

CONNOR RUSSELL, (Eugene, u/s Doody) returns for his fifth Village Theatre production including The Who’s Tommy and Funny Girl. Former Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE kid. Broadway: Book of Mormon. Tours: Book of Mormon, Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Regional: Elf The Musical, Disney’s Aladdin, A Chorus Line, Ride the Cyclone, et al. (The 5th Avenue Theatre); The Old Globe, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Pittsburgh CLO. TV/Film: I Think I’m Sick, Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Étoile, Younger. BFA from Point Park University. @connorrussellny

JASMINE JEAN SIM, she/her (Rizzo). Last seen at Village Theatre as Meg in Brigadoon, one of Jasmine’s favorite theatrical experiences to date! Jasmine is a founding Core Company Member at Union Arts Center (formerly ACT Theatre) and has worked with many of Seattle’s theaters and burlesque houses. She was nominated for two Gregory Awards in 2019 (one for a Village show, The Noteworthy Life of Howard Barnes) and again in 2025, all of which she lost gracefully. Love always to the family, Andie, and hot server Ben. Jasmine would like to dedicate her performance as Rizzo to her birth mother, Kami, without whose bravery she would not have led the amazing life she has.

DANE STOKINGER, (Teen Angel, Johnny Casino). Favorite Village Theatre credits: Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, Sonny in Xanadu, Morris in No Way to Treat a Lady, Jerry in The Full Monty, Rocco in Once Upon a Time in New Jersey, and Elvis in Million Dollar Quartet. Regional: Earl in Waitress, Lonny in Rock of Ages, Rooster in Annie, The Old Man in A Christmas Story, Lancelot in Spamalot (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Samuel in The Pirates of Penzance (The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts), and Tin Man in The Wizard of Oz (Seattle Children’s Theatre). Much love to Jess.

TERI LEE THOMAS, she/her (Miss Lynch) Previous Village Theatre: Secret Garden, Pirates of Penzance, My Fair Lady, Miracle Worker, Heidi, Crimes of the Heart. Numerous colorful roles span four decades in Shakespeare, classics, new plays, musicals, TV, and film. Local credits include Taproot Theatre, ACTLab, Bathhouse Theater, Intiman Theatre, Harlequin Productions, Seattle Shakespeare Company, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Gilbert & Sullivan Society, and others. Select regional: Rogue Theatre Tucson, Oregon Cabaret Theatre, Oregon Repertory Theatre, Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, Texas Shakespeare Festival. TV’s Northern Exposure, Three Busy Debras, various independent films.

DANIEL VELASQUEZ, he/him (Danny Zuko) is so excited to be back at Village Theatre! Past Village credit: Charlie Dalrymple in Brigadoon. Some regional favorites: Jersey Boys (The Fulton Theatre, Maine State Music Theatre, Norwegian Cruise Line), Mamma Mia! (Arvada Center, Arkansas Repertory Theatre), Grease (Hard Rock Hotel Atlantic City, The Fulton Theatre), and Waitress (Arts Center for Coastal Carolina). Film credits include Kiss of the Spider Woman (2025). @dkvelasquez

JEFFERY WALLACE II, he/him (Sonny, u/s Kenickie) is thrilled to return to Village Theatre. Previous credits include 9 to 5: The Musical, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Once on This Island, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and Hello, Dolly! (Village Theatre); and The Last Five Years (The 5th Avenue Theatre, ACT Theatre). Off stage, Jeff works as an interior and event designer. He is so grateful to share his God-given gifts and deeply thankful for the endless love and support of his family, friends and theatre community! IG: @JBrianjr_

SHELBY WILLIS, she/her (Cha Cha, Dance Captain) is thrilled to perform in Village Theatre’s Grease! Past Village credits: In the Heights, My Fair Lady, Singin’ in the Rain, Hello, Dolly!, Dreamgirls, Legally Blonde: The Musical, and 9 to 5! The 5th Avenue Theatre credits: White Christmas, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Wiz, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. I love you Zach/Fam-Bam. Please enjoy the show! @Shelby.Willis

Understudies

SUSANNA CATHRYN BALLENSKI, she/they (u/s Frenchy, u/s Cha Cha, u/s Jan) is thrilled to be returning to Village Theatre! Recent credits include Jean in Brigadoon (Village Theatre), Kim in Bye Bye Birdie (The 5th Avenue Theatre), as well as Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid and Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde (The Candlelight). Many thanks to the Grease team for the opportunity, and to her family, friends and fiancé Karsen for their endless love. Insta: @susanna.ballenski

TOMMY BEALE, he/him (u/s Eugene, u/s Roger) is stoked to join Village Theatre for the first time. Previous favorites include An Enemy of the People (Union Arts Center), Oliver! (Reboot Theatre), and Airness (University of Washington School of Drama). He is an actor, stunt performer, and goose-lover who is endlessly thankful for his support system and thanks you (yes, you!) for supporting live theatre. Cheers! @tomebale

CONOR BREEN, he/him (u/s Sonny, u/s Kenickie, u/s Roger, u/s Doody, u/s Eugene) is thrilled to be making his Village Theatre debut! Conor received his degree in theater performance from Pace University as part of the BA Acting International Performance Ensemble. Notable credits include Fred in Anything Goes (Reboot Theatre), Melchior in Spring Awakening (Mainframe Theatre NYC), and Derek in The Deep End (Schaeberle Studio Theater). A heartfelt thanks to Kim and Sean for the endless love and support.

DANNY KAM, (u/s Johnny Casino, u/s Vince Fontaine, u/s Teen Angel, Vocal Captain) is delighted to be back at Village Theatre after most recently appearing in Dear Mr. C and Legally Blonde: The Musical and serving as vocal coach on MISS STEP. Other recent favorites include Elf The Musical (5th Avenue Theatre), Hitchcock Hotel (Can Can Culinary Cabaret) and Sister Act (Taproot Theatre). In addition to performing onstage, Danny is a voice teacher and musical director who teaches at Cornish College of the Arts and maintains a private vocal studio.

JACQUELINE TARDANICO, she/her (u/s Marty, u/s Rizzo, u/s Miss Lynch) is thrilled to make her Village debut! Recent work includes A Christmas Carol (Palace Theatre) and Jesus in Godspell (InD Theatre). Other credits include Dot in Sunday in the Park with George (SecondStory Repertory), Cabaret (Harlequin Productions), The Hello Girls (Taproot Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Reboot Theatre), and The City of Tigers (Seattle Opera). Jacqueline holds a BFA in vocal performance from Carnegie Mellon University. www.jacquelinetardanico.com

CHAILIA WENDLAND, she/her (u/s Sandy, u/s Patty) is so grateful to be making her Village Theatre Mainstage debut! Recent credits include Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid (Leavenworth Summer Theatre), Teen Ensemble and u/s Kim in Bye Bye Birdie (The 5th Avenue Theatre), and Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical (Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE). Much love and gratitude to her family, friends and mentors for their endless support of her dream.

Creative Team

LISA SHRIVER, (Director, Choreographer) is thrilled to be returning to Village Theatre (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical). She recently served as Creative Director /Director/ Choreographer for Phish’s New Year’s Eve event at Madison Square Garden, marking her sixth time working with the band. This past season, she directed and choreographed Waitress (The 5th Avenue Theatre). Selected Broadway: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Farnsworth Invention, The Story of My Life, Ring of Fire. Selected Off-Broadway/Regional: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Village Theatre); Into the Woods (Roundabout Theatre Company; The Old Globe; Menier Chocolate Factory); Rock of Ages (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Austen’ s Pride (Carnegie Hall); Waitress (The 5th Avenue Theatre/Theatre Under the Stars). Film: A Beautiful Mind, Disney’s A Christmas Carol. TV: A Very Murray Christmas, Broad City, The Detour, Evil. Other: Phish’s New Year’s Eve Concert at Madison Square Garden, Disney Cruise Line, and Busch Gardens.  Thank you to my associates, Katy and Jessica, as well as to my agent, Max Grossman (UTA). Love to Mom, Brian and Viola. Thank you, Adam Immerwahr, for inviting me back to Issaquah!

TIM SYMONS, he/him (Music Director) is the Resident Music Supervisor at Village Theatre. Select credits include Brigadoon, The Color Purple, Legally Blonde: The Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cabaret, Hart Island, Billy Elliot, The Who’s Tommy (Village Theatre); Rock of Ages, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion (The 5th Avenue Theatre); Assassins (ACT Theatre); Man of La Mancha, Xanadu (Arizona Theatre Company). Original scores for Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Company, and Village Theatre. Love to Taylor, Cedar and Winslow!

JASON ARDIZZONE-WEST, (Scenic Designer) is an award-winning set and production designer whose work spans live theater, television/film, concerts, dance, architecture, and more. Recent and notable projects include: Lady Gaga, Mayhem Ball (tour/festivals), Redwood (Broadway), Jesus Christ Superstar (Hollywood Bowl & NBC - Emmy award, ADG nomination), Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy (UK), Jon Batiste (tour), Blood/Love (Theatre 555), The Swamp Dwellers, Wedding Band (Theatre For A New Audience - Drama Desk, Outer Critics, Audelco nominations), Dua Lipa, Radical Optimism (tour), The Grove, Sojourners, & The Bluest Eye (Huntington, Elliot Norton nominations), shadow/land (The Public Theater - Lucille Lortel nomination). @jasonardizzonewest  jawstudiony.com

DANIELLE NIEVES, she/her (Costume Designer) is thrilled to be back with the amazing artists at Village. Her work has been seen previously at Village Theatre (Once on This Island, Sense and Sensibility), The 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle Rep, Union Arts Center, The Old Globe, Dallas Theater Center, South Coast Repertory, The Goodman Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars, St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, Writers Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Taproot Theatre, Children’s Theatre Company, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, and Cleveland Playhouse. Off-Broadway: Pity in History, No End of Blame, Gertrude The Cry, and Lovesong of the Electric Bear for Potomac Theatre Project/NYC at the Atlantic Stage 2. daniellenieves.com

ROBERT J. AGUILAR, he/him (Lighting Designer) Credits at Village include Once on This Island, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, How To Break, Little Shop of Horrors, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and String. Regional credits include: Seattle Rep, Arizona Theater Company, Portland Center Stage, ACT Theatre, Pioneer Theater Company, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Pittsburgh Public Theater, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, The Old Globe, Intiman Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, and Milwaukee Rep among others. Film: The Jinkx and Dela Holiday Special, Potato Dreams of America. robertjaguilar.com IG: @fake_robert.

KEN TRAVIS, (Sound Designer). Broadway: Disney’s Aladdin, In Transit, Jekyll and Hyde, A Christmas Story the Musical, Scandalous, Disney’s Newsies, Memphis, The Threepenny Opera, Barefoot in the Park, Steel Magnolias. Numerous New York and regional theaters and companies including: The Old Globe, The 5th Avenue Theatre, McCarter Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, LA Center Theater Group, ACT Theatre Seattle, Guthrie Theater, Dallas Theater Center, Playwrights Horizons, The New Group, NYSF Public Theater, Signature Theater NYC. The Civilians, Mabou Mines.

JR WELDEN, (Stage Manager) is thrilled to be reuniting with Lisa Shriver at Village after collaborating many times together. At The 5th Avenue Theatre, JR has stage-managed a large roster of shows including Elf The Musical, Waitress, White Christmas, West Side Story, Austen’s Pride, Rock of Ages, and Kiss Me, Kate. JR has stage-managed numerous productions at Seattle Rep, ACT Theatre, Intiman Theatre, Theatre Under the Stars, and Mark Taper Forum. Beyond the stage, he’s a proud dad, having adopted his wonderful son, after becoming a licensed foster parent.

MIRANDA MIKOLAIZIK, she/her (Assistant Stage Manager) is so excited to be working on this show! She is also grateful to be serving as the theatre’s Resident Stage Manager. Miranda has worked on a number of shows at Village since 2014 including Dreamgirls, Matilda, Songs for a New World, Legally Blonde: The Musical, The Color Purple, and 9 to 5 The Musical. She also stage manages for The 14/48 Projects whenever possible and loves lifting heavy things. All the love to Chris and the kittens.

ETHAN SWIM, he/him (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be joining such an amazing stage management team! Previously Village Theatre credits include: Brigadoon, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Jersey Boys, 9 to 5 and various Village Theatre's KIDSTAGE stage management credits. Thanks to Drew and family for their constant love and support! “The world is your oyster and we’ll all be Cosmopolitans.” Instagram:@ethan_swim22

ANNA VRANEY, she/her (Assistant Stage Manager) is thrilled to be back at Village Theatre. Previous credits with the company include 9 to 5: The Musical, Once on This Island and Hello, Dolly! Other select credits include Julius Caesar (Oregon Shakespeare Festival), Disney’s Mary Poppins, Into the Woods (The 5th Avenue Theatre), The Skin of Our Teeth (Seattle Rep), Stew, Choir Boy (ACT Theatre), Goodnight Moon and The Pigeon Gets a Big Time Holiday Extravaganza (Seattle Children’s Theatre).

WARREN CASEY, (Book, Music & Lyrics) was born in Yonkers, New York, and attended Syracuse University. During the late ’50s, he learned all about “greasers” while working as an art teacher in upstate New York. He moved to Chicago in 1962, where he hoped to pursue an acting career. He appeared in dozens of productions, including creating the role of Bernie Litko in David Mamet’s Sexual Perversity in Chicago.

He supported himself with jobs in retail, including working as an assistant manager of a chain of apparel stores, and as a record salesman. In the meantime, he taught himself how to play the guitar and began writing songs.

Mr. Casey acted with the Chicago Stage Guild (where he met Jim Jacobs), the Old Town Players, and the Kinston Mines Theatre. The latter company staged the original production of Grease, which he wrote with Jim Jacobs. After the incredible success of both the musical and the movie, the two collaborated on Island of Lost Coeds, a musical satire of the B-movies of the 1950s. Mr. Casey died in 1988.

JIM JACOBS, (Book, Music & Lyrics) who created Grease (in 1970) with Warren Casey, was born and raised on the mean streets of Chicago’s far northwest side. During the golden era of rock ’n’ roll (1956-1960) he was a guitar-playing “greaser” student at Taft High School. In 1963, Jacobs met Warren Casey when they were both cast in a local theatre production of A Shot in the Dark. Seven years later, they wrote what was to become one of the greatest musicals of all time. Grease opened in 1971 in a former trolley barn called the Kingston Mines Theatre in Chicago. A year later, Grease made it to Broadway and “Greasemania” took off, resulting in one of the longest-running shows in Broadway history. The 1978 movie became and long remained the highest-grossing movie musical of all time.

Originally an actor, Jacobs has been seen on television, in motion pictures, regional theatre, national tours, and on Broadway. He is the co-author of several other plays and musicals including Island of Lost Coeds, a musical spoof of the low budget sci-fi/horror/jungle movies of the 1950s, which he wrote with Warren Casey.

In May 2014, Mr. Jacobs was presented with an honorary doctorate degree from Columbia College in Chicago. He currently resides in Southern California and remains active in the theatre, especially with the American Theatre Company of Chicago.

ADAM IMMERWAHR, (Artistic Director) is responsible for season selection and also oversees the  artistic, education, and production departments. He most recently directed Village’s productions of Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Dial M for Murder, and Lerner and Loewe's Camelot. He previously served as Artistic Director of Theater J, Associate Artistic Director at McCarter Theatre, and Resident Director of Passage Theatre. Adam’s producing credits include new works by Edward Albee, Christopher Durang, Danai Gurira, Fiasco Theater, Will Power, Stephen Wadsworth, Tarell Alvin McCraney, and Ken Ludwig, several of which have transferred to Broadway or off-Broadway. As a director, Adam’s work has been seen from Aspen to Zimbabwe, including at some of the top theaters in the country: The Public and Theater Row (both for Summer Play Festival), Ensemble Studio Theatre, Walnut Street Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, McCarter Theater, Cleveland Play House, Lyric Theater of Oklahoma, Theater J, Passage Theater, Hangar Theater, Bristol Riverside, and many others. He serves on the Board of the Issaquah Chamber of Commerce and is an inaugural member of the Drama League Director’s Council.

DEREK WATANABE, (Managing Director) has served as the Managing Director of Village Theatre since the beginning of the 2024-25 season and oversees the marketing, finance, fundraising, patron services, operations, and facilities areas of the organization. He has been a long-term champion of Village Theatre, as subscriber (27 years), Board member (15 years), Village Originals member, KIDSTAGE parent, and donor. During his tenure as Board President, he helped lead Village through the construction of the Watjen Technical Studios, Hunt Family Theatre and Cope Gillette Theatre. Originally from Honolulu, Derek moved to the west coast to pursue his bachelor’s and graduate degrees at Pomona College, UCLA, and USC. He and his wife, Anne, have lived in Issaquah for 28 years, where they raised their 3 children. He can be reached at derek@villagetheatre.org.

The Director-Choreographer are members of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union.

All stage work performed by members of IATSE Local 15.

All costume construction and hair/make-up work is performed by employees represented by IATSE TWU Local #887.

All scenic painting work is performed by employees represented by IATSE Local 488.

United Scenic Artists represents the designers and scenic painters for the American Theatre.

The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

The theatre operates under an agreement with Local 76-493, American Federation of Musicians, AFL-CIO, representing the musicians.

Village Theatre proudly participates in the Theatre Puget Sound presented Gregory Awards for Excellence in Local Performing Arts.

Before Broadway: The Gritty Roots of Grease

By Ellen Morgan Peltz

Most people associate Grease with a romanticized vision of the 1950s—a world of pink jackets, slicked-back hair, and pop-song romance. But Grease didn’t originate as a love letter to the past. It began as an honest snapshot of teenage life in 1959 Chicago.

Grease was first produced by the now-defunct Kingston Mines Theatre Company on Chicago’s North Side, in a former trolley barn converted into an intimate performance space with bleacher seating. It was the first collaboration between co-creators Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, and it drew heavily on personal experience. Jacobs had attended Taft High School on Chicago’s Northwest Side in the late 1950s, while Casey had taught high school in New York. In a 1978 television interview, Jacobs described the original version of Grease as “a documentary on teenage gangs in the ’50s with sort of incidental rock ’n’ roll music to it.”

That original Grease was deliberately rough around the edges. The humor was sharp and the language was unapologetically raw. The story focused more on the ensemble than on Danny and Sandy, and even their relationship was more ironic than romantic. The show was also solidly set in Chicago, with familiar landmarks and place names sprinkled throughout the script. All of these characteristics made Grease a natural fit for Kingston Mines, a company known for experimental work. In his review of the 1971 production of Grease, Chicago Tribune critic William Leonard wrote that a typical Kingston Mines’ production was “so far out… that few besides astronauts could stay with it.” Nevertheless, he praised Grease as “one of the most screamingly funny shows in town,” recommending it to anyone who didn’t mind “dirty four-letter words—and lots of them.”

Audiences didn’t mind. Despite—or perhaps because of—its R-rated language, Grease became a surprise local hit, and its run was extended through the summer of 1971. During its final weeks, the show caught the attention of Broadway producer Ken Waissman. “I was transfixed,” Waissman recalled in an interview with The Telegraph. “I saw my whole yearbook come to life. I knew those kids.” Along with producer Maxine Fox, he convinced Jacobs and Casey to bring the show to New York.

The move was anything but smooth. Previews at the Eden Theatre in Manhattan’s East Village began in January 1972 and were met with confusion and poor reviews. Over the next three weeks, the creative team radically reshaped the show for a more general, New York audience. “We cut the book to shreds and added more singing and dancing,” Jacobs explained. By opening night on Valentine’s Day, Grease had transformed into what Jacobs called “a fully exploited rock ’n’ roll musical,” offering audiences a show that was bright, familiar, and fun.

This newly-imagined Grease proved even more popular in New York than its predecessor had been in Chicago. The production transferred to Broadway, earned seven Tony Award nominations, and became the longest-running Broadway musical of its time with a run of 3,388 performances. The 1978 film adaptation, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, transformed Grease yet again by further sweetening its tone and adding chart-topping songs like “You’re the One that I Want” and “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” While the movie introduced the story to millions, the stage musical preserves the roots from which everything audiences love about Grease first grew.

Most audiences will never encounter the raw, R-rated Grease that first took shape in a converted trolley barn. Still, the lived experiences of Jacobs and Casey are baked into the show’s DNA, reminding us that Grease began not as nostalgia, but as truth.

Our final show of the season is a satirical musical written by and starring Gregg Hammer and Louis Pardo. As the foremost experts of the most famous folk duo who never existed, we asked them to write a brief, entirely fictional history of their characters. The below is their official examination of Hymon & Parfunkel’s rise to stardom, profound musical influence, and fractured collaboration.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the infamous folk duo, Hymon & Parfunkel?

It all began in 1963-ish at Presidio Middle School in San Francisco, California, where the pair formed an instant bond; and, after winning their middle school talent show, decided to hit the road and try becoming professional musicians. Their friendship—and the admirable determination of Saul Hymon to share his music with the masses—led them to sold-out concerts, magazine covers, TV appearances and a #1 single. However, those highs were matched by plenty of lows, including a terrible record deal, a rare form of addiction, a stint in an insane asylum, and making their television debut while (inadvertently) under the influence of military-grade LSD.

After the pair went their separate ways, their music careers garnered eight GRAMMY Awards collectively. All eight of those GRAMMYs are technically Bart Parfunkel’s, but Parfunkel only skyrocketed to fame after performing a song generously written for him by Saul as a parting gift. While Saul was never able to find commercial success after the split, many argue he was just ahead of his time, with many of today’s hits (and even the musical Grease) influenced in some way by the tortured genius of Saul Hymon.

While there have been attempts at reunions over the years, none have panned out. Even the well-intentioned Christmas special, “Hymon for the Holidays: A Parfunkel in a Pear Tree” remains unaired and marred by controversy. When Hymon & Parfunkel take the stage in their new musical at Village Theatre, it will be the first time they have seen each other or performed together in over 12 years... and all mysteries are sure to be revealed.

–Written by famed Hymon & Parfunkel historian, Saul Hymon

Expect an evening of ear-to-ear smiles and belly-laughs as fictional folk duo Saul Hymon and Bart Parfunkel satirically skewer the jukebox musical while playing every role (and every instrument!) in this brand-new feel-good buddy show.

ISSAQUAH MAY 19–JUN 21, 2026
EVERETT JUN 27–JUL 19, 2026

BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS BY

GREGG HAMMER & LOUIS PARDO

DEVELOPED WITH AND DIRECTED BY

SCOTT WEINSTEIN

ArtsFund is proud to support Village Theatre’s mission as they continue to produce dynamic programming that highlights innovative artists in the Pacific Northwest. ArtsFund’s support of local arts organizations is only possible through the contributions of donors in this community, and we are immensely grateful to the generous individuals and businesses who have supported ArtsFund as well as Village Theatre. We will continue to support arts organizations, like Village Theatre, that elevate the voices of Washington state through our leadership, advocacy, and grantmaking programs. We are excited to see what will be performed throughout this season!

The Boeing Company is committed to improving the quality of life within the communities where our employees live and work. Our Global Engagement programs implement Boeing’s philanthropy through local charitable investments, volunteerism, employee drives, personal giving, disaster response, and other integrated programs. Boeing is proud to be a supporter of Village Theatre’s productions and musical theatre education programs, and we are pleased to welcome you back to live theatre. Enjoy the show!

Microsoft is pleased to sponsor Village Theatre’s 2025–2026 Season, and to welcome you to this production of Grease. Village Theatre is a favorite among our employees and their families, and we are delighted to support a vibrant community arts organization that brings high quality entertainment to the Eastside. We encourage employee engagement and volunteerism in the community throughout the year and through support of great organizations like Village Theatre, we aim to foster a strong community culture where the arts will thrive for generations to come. Enjoy the show!

Lombardi’s Italian Restaurants & Catering is honored to be a long-time Village Theatre sponsor! Lombardi’s delights diners at their three locations: at the scenic Everett Marina, the bustling Bellingham Marina, and their newest culinary venture, Hook & Cleaver, in Mukilteo. Date night or any night, experience Lombardi’s classic and contemporary Italian cuisine from all around Italy. Sip your favorite Washington and Italian wines, savor a handcrafted cocktail, or enjoy one of the many local brews with your meal. Village Theatre and Lombardi’s, the perfect pairing!

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