Community 'comes together' for production of 'Grease'
N.B. high school students to perform tonight, tomorrow, Saturday
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK - Grease is the word at the township high school this weekend.

The Alchemist Theatre Company will present its 35th annual spring musical today at 7 p.m. and tomorrow and Saturday at 8 p.m.

"I chose 'Grease' because last year's show was 'Les Miserables,' and it was such a dark and heavy show, I wanted to go in a totally different direction and direct something fun-filled and danceladen," said director Debbie Suchocki.

Assisting Suchocki is student director Hannah Letbetter, who has been with the Alchemists since ninth-grade. She is trying her hand at directing the group for the first time.

"I'm on stage for two of the songs because I couldn't give it up completely," she said. "I've been acting since elementary school."

This being her eighth show at the high school, she said she has learned this time around "how to give directions to people. I have to tell people how to do things in a certain way so they not only understand but want to do it."

She said it is sometimes difficult to direct the 55 members of the cast and crew because they are her peers, but that fact helps her communicate the adults' ideas to her friends.

She said her ability to communicate was especially helpful because this weekend's show is based on the play, which has different scenes than the movie, which most of the students were familiar with.

"Most people know the movie and don't know the play, so they will be surprised… but we will give them more respect for theater and things made into movies because they are so different," Letbetter said.

In the role of Roger is Isaac Lee, a senior who is appearing in his 10th and final show with the Alchemists.

He began acting in a performance of "West Side Story" his freshman year and hopes to continue acting in community theater in college, while pursuing a career in photography.

For now, he is happy to be playing the "mooning champ of Rydell High. I talk about showing my butt to people," he laughed.

Although he said he originally joined the Alchemists because his friends encouraged him to join, "over the years it has helped me grow into a better performer. I've also grown into being more approachable."

Lee said it's a great production because everyone has been through the high school experience.

"Everyone knows someone who is kooky or knows someone who is always talking about cars, so everyone can relate to 'Grease,' " he explained.

Lee believes that although "Grease" is familiar, the acting troupe will be able to put its own spin on it, bringing "great energy to the stage and putting our best into it, really committing to our characters."

"We like to bring energy to the audience. We want to catch their attention," he added.

Freshman Anil Mathews hopes to bring his own talent to the stage: although this is his first performance with the Alchemists, he has been singing for years.

As Doody, one of the Burger Palace boys, he has a solo, a duet and several main ensemble numbers.

"It involves two dimensions," he said of combining singing with acting.

"You have to remember you're a character so it's difficult. When you're singing, you're individually performing. … I think it's been a little bit more of a challenge and exciting, and it's made it a little bit more fun."

Mathews said he hopes the audience leaves the theater saying, "Wow, that was better than I expected," realizing they were glad they attended.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for students and seniors.

The box office will open one hour prior to show time each night.

The school is located at 30 Raider Road.