{"id":3088,"date":"2017-02-09T21:46:38","date_gmt":"2017-02-09T21:46:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theatreworldbackdrops.com\/blog\/?p=3088"},"modified":"2020-08-31T15:57:03","modified_gmt":"2020-08-31T19:57:03","slug":"grease-going-beyond-the-script","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theatreworldbackdrops.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/3088\/grease-going-beyond-the-script\/","title":{"rendered":"Grease: Going Beyond the Script"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Going Beyond the Script<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Grease <\/em>Backdrops<\/a> and Scenery Perspectives<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Written by: Melanie Simmons<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

If there\u2019s any American musical that needs no introduction, it\u2019s Grease<\/em>! Written in 1971 by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, Grease<\/em> came about as an ode to 1950\u2019s nostalgia and the everlasting lure of youth and teenage drama. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite its glossy veneer, Grease<\/em> commands timelessness by combining upbeat musical numbers with pertinent social issues, such as peer pressure, gang violence, teen pregnancy, and sexual exploration. (In fact, its original version has been tamed down a lot over the years since its original Chicago run!) Its Broadway run saw over 3,000 shows \u2013 a record at the time. Its revival in the much-beloved 1978 movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John spurned countless productions on stages around the world guaranteed this show a place in our cultural fabric. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In light of the the recent live television performance of this show \u2013 a trend that will hopefully keep rising in popularity \u2013 now is the best time to revisit Rydell High in all its shoo-bop glory! <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Act One<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The show opens with schoolteacher Miss Lynch leading her students in the Rydell High School \u201cAlma Mater\u201d. The greaser gang, known as the Burger Palace Boys, arrives on the scene, accompanied by their chick squad, the Pink Ladies. They quickly take to mocking the song (\u201cAlma Mater (Parody)\u201d) and boast about their own rebellious lifestyle (\u201cGrease\u201d) . <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rydell High Exterior<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"School<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

As prominent a character as any other, Rydell High School deserves a big presence in this scene! Try this School Exterior backdrop<\/a>, with its proud flags flying, to let that patriotic teenage nostalgia really hit home for your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the school cafeteria, we meet Danny Zuko, the bad-boy leader of the Burger Palace Boys, who is returning from summer vacation away at the beach. Also fresh in from the coast is Sandy Dumbrowski, the goody-goody new girl in school. Sandy describes her dreamy romance with a sweet boy she met over the summer to the Pink Ladies. They are shocked to learn this romantic guy just happens to be none other than Danny Zuko himself! Meanwhile, Danny is regaling his Burger Palace Boys with tales of his summer conquests – with some noticeable differences from Sandy\u2019s chaste account (\u201cSummer Nights\u201d). Sandy and Danny soon cross paths and Sandy is left crushed by Danny\u2019s determination to maintain his bad-boy image. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside Rydell High<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"High<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So much drama happens in high school hallways \u2013 on and offstage! This forced-perspective High School Hallway backdrop<\/a> is perfect for channeling nostalgia and can be used for many of the scenes in this show. As with the earlier exterior, this drop’s main colors, red, white and blue, against warm amber hues will feel both patriotic and inviting.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pajama Party and Alleyway Drops<\/h3>\n\n\n