Grease - Shool Play
Created in the 1970s as a nostalgic look at the golden years of teen dreams in 1959, Grease revolves around the lives and loves of students at the fictional Rydell High. One of the most popular of high school and community theatre musicals, Grease is a terrific play to showcase the talents of lead actors, character actors, and even singers and dancer.
The bulk of the play deals with the summer romance between the school's leading bad boy, Danny Zuko, head of the car-crazy greasers, the T-Birds and sweet Sandy, an all-American type blonde good girl who transfers to Rydell High. Sandy undergoes a makeover at the hands of her new best friend, Frenchie, a "Beauty School Drop-Out" and member of the Pink Ladies. The Pink Ladies, a gang of girls led by Rydell's resident tough broad, Rizzo, takes Sandy in as one of their own after some trial and error by her initial "goodie-two-shoes" ways. Rizzo has some issues of her own as she believes she might be pregnant by yet another T-Bird, Kenickie. In the end, all issues are resolved and happy endings are to be had by all.
[b]Danny Zuko[/b]
The heartbreaker leader of the T-Birds who has a summer fling with Sandy. Afraid to tarnish his bad-boy image by being seen with the goodie-goodie Sandy, he blows her off, kicking off some of the romantic comedy-capades of the show.
A key part of Danny's character are his luxuriously greased black locks, combed into a pompadour. If you're lacking some seriously T-Bird worthy hair while playing the part of Danny, there are some quality [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/grease+danny+wig/]Danny Zuko wigs[/url] to help you out. From the neck down, go with a black fitted t-shirt with tight-rolled sleeves and a pack of (maybe candy) cigarettes rolled into the sleeve and a pair of fitted black jeans. Top it all off with a faux leather [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/t+bird+jacket/]T-Birds jacket[/url], an authentically licensed Grease item.
[b]Sandy Dumbroski[/b]
A blonde, all-American girl who is new to Rydell High, Sandy is a sweet girl who attempts to rekindle a summer flame with the leader of the T-Birds, Danny upon her entrance to Rydell High. The subject of Rizzo's ridicule in the song, "Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee," Sandy is a dead ringer for such wholesome '50s types as Sandra Dee and Doris Day.
If blonde locks aren't called for when playing the character of Sandy, by all means, let your own natural hair flow. However, if you're "peroxidally challenged," there are number of [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/grease+sandy+wig/]Grease Sandy wigs[/url], styled in either a perky ponytail or with Sandy's curled look after her Greaser girl makeover. For the bulk of the play, Sandy is costumed in typical, '50s girl-next-door clothes: long bell-styled skirts with either fuzzy angora sweaters or simple blouses. A [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/poodle+skirt/]poodle skirt[/url], [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/saddle+shoes/]saddle shoes[/url], and bobby socks might work, too. However, for [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/sandy/]Sandy's makeover[/url], an authentically licensed Grease costume is available, complete with a black off-the-shoulder top, tight black capris, and a faux leather jacket.
[b]Betty "Rizzo" Rizzo[/b]
Tough as her pink painted nails, Rizzo is the snide, sarcastic leader of Rydell High's all-girls' gang, the Pink Ladies. Aside from openly mocking Sandy (before agreeing to make her over to snag Danny), Rizzo has her own conundrum to deal with, believing she may be pregnant after "going all the way" with T-Bird Kenickie.
A striking figure, Rizzo looks bad and beautiful, wearing black, form-fitting pencil skirts with [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/fishnet/]fishnets [/url]. Complimenting her ensemble, as always, is her [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/pink+ladies/]Pink Ladies jacket[/url]. "Pink Ladies" jackets come in two different colors: a deeper, almost magenta-like pink and an ice satin pink. Depending on how your production wishes to costume the characters, it may be nice to differentiate Rizzo's status as leader with a hot pink satin jacket with the other Pink Ladies wearing ice pink.
[b]Kenickie[/b]
One of the top guys in the T-Birds, Kenickie is a true greaser, heavily into cars. The male counterpart to the Pink Ladies' Rizzo, Kenickie is equally tough, cynical, and loud-mouthed. He also is involved in a fair bit of drama, wondering if he may have gotten Rizzo pregnant ∑ And if so, if he's really the father of the child, thanks to seeds of doubt an angry Rizzo had planted.
Of course, Kenickie needs a [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/t+bird+jacket/]T-Birds jacket[/url] as a major piece of his costume. Reflecting his gearhead status, maybe grease stained light blue jeans would be a great costume choice, or even a pair of coveralls.
[b]Frenchy[/b]
One of the nicest and friendliest -- but unfortunately, the ditziest -- of the Pink Ladies who takes Sandy under her wing. Frenchy dropped (or failed) out of Rydell High to go to Beauty School and thanks to some badly botched dye-jobs, turning her hair the color of "an Easter egg," she drops out.
Frenchy's good-natured character is close to Sandy and the two would probably share a similar fashion sense. While Sandy's good-girl nature would be inclined to be a bit more subdued, Frenchy as one of the Pink Ladies with a bit of a "bad girl" streak would likely wear more flashy and garish colors with her [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/poodle+skirt/]poodle skirt[/url] style ensemble. In keeping with her self-makeovers, a number of [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/50s+wig/]'50s wigs[/url] in different colors would make her character even more fun. Or, if you would like to style your own hair, there are some great [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/spray+color+hair/]spray-in color[/url] options for your hair, turning it either green or pink, the result of Frenchie's badly botched dye job. And don't forget the matching [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/pink+ladies/]Pink Ladies jacket[/url], too!
[b]Teen Angel[/b]
A play on the '50s song of the same title, this character can be played by either a male or female. The guardian spirit who guides Frenchie on her post-beauty school past, she or he is costumed in dazzling all-white. Either an [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/white+suit/]all-white suit[/url] for men or a beautiful, white prom-style gown for a female Teen Angel would do the trick. A [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/halo/]halo[/url] and [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/white+wings/]wings[/url] complete the look for this croon-worthy and swoon-worthy character!
[b]Marty[/b]
The prettiest member of the Pink Ladies, Marty hosts a slumber party at her house with Sandy getting her first taste of booze and cigarettes along with some girl talk. Marty is carrying on an overseas romance with a Marine.
Obviously attractive and sophisticated, Marty should be classily attired, maybe with a string of pearls with maybe a white or tan pencil skirt to differentiate Marty from the group's leader, Rizzo. Of course, Marty's [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/pink+ladies/]Pink Ladies jacket[/url] should be well-accessorized, maybe with a cute, ladylike pink clutch bag.
[b]Doody[/b]
The youngest member of the T-Birds who looks up to the older guys in the group, Doody should be simply costumed in jeans, a white t-shirt, and a [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/t+bird+jacket/]T-Birds jacket[/url].
[b]Johnny Casino[/b]
The rock star wannabe of the T-Birds who aspires to have his own band, Casino should rock a [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/t+bird+jacket/]T-Birds jacket[/url], but maybe modified to befit his rock-star status with airbrushed piano keys or guitars on the back and a pair of rock star shades.
[b]Jan[/b]
The "class clown" of the Pink Ladies, Jan is large and in charge. She's loud, overweight, and generally a lot of fun. A plus-sized [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/pink+ladies/]Pink Ladies[/url], costume would fit the bill. As somewhat of a tough girl, capris or leather pants would be a fun touch to her outfit.
[b]Roger[/b]
Jan's male counterpart in the T-Birds who has the hots for her. Roger is also a class clown and practical joker, much like Jan. His costume should be similar to Jan's but in a more masculine sort of way. If Jan's character wears faux leather pants, it would be a great touch to Roger's costume to link them together. Regardless, a [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/t+bird+jacket/]T-Birds jacket[/url] is a must!
[b]Patty Simcox[/b]
Rydell High's pretty, preppy head cheerleader who tries to recruit Sandy to the squad. Go for more of a traditional, short-skirted [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/cheerleader/]cheerleader[/url] costume or one of the officially licensed [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/grease+cheerleader/]Grease cheerleader[/url] costumes with the long, full skirt and sweater. Add some [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/pom+pom/]pom-poms[/url] and a [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/megaphone/]megaphone[/url] in coordinating colors and you're ready to cheer for Rydell High!
[b]Cha-Cha[/b]
An ex-girlfriend of Kenickie's who Danny takes to the sock hop, winning the dance contest with her as they're "Born to Hand-Jive" Obviously a great dancer, Cha-Cha's costume should be eye-catching and allow her to move freely. Maybe a red [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/poodle+skirt/]poodle skirt[/url] or strapless red tea-length flared dress would work nicely.
[b]Sonny[/b]
A humorous, yet stereotypical Italian member of the T-Birds. What might be a fun touch to capitalize on Sonny's heritage would be to dress him in the red, white, and green colors of the Italian flag paired with his [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/t+bird+jacket/]T-Birds jacket[/url].
[b]Miss Lynch[/b]
The overly strict, universally reviled English teacher of Rydell High. "Old Lady Lynch" attempts to keep the kids in line. In the film version of Grease, Miss Lynch's character was interchangeable with Principal McGee.
Keeping with her bland, no-nonsense nature, staid suits in monochrome shades of grey and/or khaki would be a good look for a Miss Lynch costume.
[b]Eugene Florczyk[/b]
Your stereotypical [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/nerd/]nerd[/url] who is something of a brown-noser, Eugene should be costumed accordingly. Grab some plaid floods and a bow-tie with some [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/nerd+glasses/]nerd[/url] glasses to bring the geekiest guy at Rydell High to life. For that added touch, equip yourself with a "pocket protector" chock full of pens, pencils, and even a ruler and calculator!
[b]Vince Fontaine[/b]
A sleazy, local radio DJ who tries desperately to be an eternal teenager∑ Despite the fact that he's old enough to be a father to any of the Rydell High kids. An egomaniac, Vince Fontaine loves himself like no other.
As a DJ, Vince Fontaine should not be without a set of oversized DJ-style headphones and a retro-style [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/microphone/]microphone[/url]. A [url=http://www.costumzee.com/tag/hawaiian+shirt/]Hawaiian shirt[/url] or anything polyester would suffice to amp up the '50s style sleaze factor of the character.
