Get ready for some summer lovin' in Kelowna

For the next couple of weeks, the Kelowna Community Theatre will transport audiences back to California in 1959 and the adventures at Rydell High in the summer production of "Grease," presented by Kelowna Actors Studio (KAS).

The story revolves around the romance between Danny Zuko (played by Josh Richardson), a tough greaser, and Sandy Olsson (played by Marisa Piattelli), an innocent Australian girl. After their summer fling leads to unexpected challenges when Sandy transfers to Rydell High, the show chronicles into the ups and downs of their romance and high school life.

Piattelli is a lover of the film "Grease," for its vibrant and energetic storytelling, brought to life through its music, clothing, and vivid colors. However, what makes this timeless classic so appealing is the fact that it resonates with audiences beyond its original time frame.

“I think it’s very relatable to people that are in their teenage years and coming of age. It's fun, but it also has a lot of intense layers to it,” she told Kelowna10. “There's more than just the fun on the surface. There's a lot of serious issues talking about teen pregnancy, coming of age, and figuring out yourself throughout high school. So, I think it's relatable to a lot of people.’

This is the second time Piatteli is playing a character portrayed by the late Olivia Newton-John, the first time came when playing ‘Xanadu’ this past spring with KAS. She said she is never tires of getting to embody cherished characters.

“It's just the most remarkable opportunity. Playing her character in ‘Xanadu’ was amazing to attribute to her after her passing,” she said. “To be able to play Sandy is not only a dream role for me, but such an iconic character for anyone that has loved Grease since it came out in the eighties. It means a lot.”

Just like his co-star, Richardson is also appreciative of the opportunity to be part of something so iconic that resonates with audiences.

“Being able to sing these iconic songs for Danny Zuko that a lot of people in the audience are going to know word by word means a lot to me,” he said. “It's something I've been thinking about for a long time and being able to embody this character and bring them to life is really a blessing.”

Richardson expressed his admiration for the 1950s by not only appreciating the fashion choices but also the attitudes prevalent during that time.

“The style and the cool attitude that a lot of the men are trying to carry through,” Richardson said. “The tucked in shirts, greased hair, and that's definitely one of my favorite parts about the 50s.”

The show runs until Aug 12th. Tickets for the remaining shows can be purchased online.