ATC's 'The Original Grease' Extended Through 8/21

American Theater Company (ATC) announces new performance dates for its smash-hit production of the revised, restored and R-rated The Original Grease, written by Jim Jacobs and WarRen Casey and directed by PJ Paparelli with musical direction by Roberta Duchak and choreography by Jim Corti. The production has added 7:00PM Sunday evening performances beginning Sunday, May 15 and is now extended through Sunday, August 21, 2011 at American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St, Chicago, IL. Tickets for the two-week extension are now on sale through the box office, www.atcweb.org and 773.409.4125.

In addition, ATC hosted nearly 300 Alumni of Taft High School's Class of 1960 during two special alumni performances of The Original Grease this past Saturday May 21 at 3:00PM and 8:00PM. Many of the actual Pink Ladies and Greasers that the characters in the play are based on were in attendance. A reception for the graduating class of 1960 was held at 6:00PM at Mrs. Murphy's and Sons, as well as a talk-back between the alumni and cast after the 8:00PM performance.

In preparation for the alumni performances, Jacobs and Paparelli introduced a new opening and closing sequence into the production in addition to revised material and changes.

"The Original Grease's reception in Chicago has been overwhelming. The feedback Jim and I have received have been extremely helpful in refining this new version," says Paparelli. "We want to introduce a more Chicago-centric opening and closing of the show for Jim's graduating class in addition to other changes that we couldn't make in preparation for opening the show. With a tighter running time and a more heartfelt and Chicago-based bookend for the show, we look forward to sharing the new material with audiences."

The revised production began performances on May 21, 2011. The revised production now runs 2 hours and 12 minutes, plus a 15 minute intermission.

Title: The Original Grease
Playwrights: Jim Jacobs and WarRen Casey
Directed by: PJ Paparelli
Dates: Extended through August 21, 2011
Schedule: Thursdays & Fridays: 8:00pm
Saturdays: 3:00pm & 8:00pm
Sundays: 3:00pm
Extension Schedule:
Wednesday: 8:00pm
Thursdays & Fridays: 8:00pm
Saturdays: 3:00pm & 8:00pm
Sundays: 3:00pm & 7:00pm

Location: American Theater Company, 1909 W Byron St., Chicago
Tickets: Regular run: Thursdays & matinees $45; Fri, Sat & Sunday evenings $50
Box Office: The Box Office is located at 1909 W Byron St., Chicago;
773.409.4125; www.atcweb.org

 

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