THEATRE BY THE SEA’S 93RDSEASON CONTINUES WITH
THE POPULAR CLASSIC MUSICAL GREASE
WAKEFIELD, RI – In celebration of 93 years of Theatre By The Sea, owner and producer Bill Hanney is proud to present the popular classic musical Grease, which will be presented from June 25 – July 18, 2026.
“I have always been a big fan of Grease – both the stage musical and the movie,” said Bill Hanney. “It’s full of 1950’s nostalgia, relatable characters, and great music! We’re also very fortunate to have been able to assemble an amazingly talented cast. I can’t wait for opening night!”
This high-energy, electrifyin’ show will make everyone want to get up and shout, “A-wop-bop-a-loo-bop! A-wop-bam-boom!” Dust off the leather jackets, pull out the poodle skirts, and step back in time to the 1950s to hand-jive the night away! In this all-new production, relive the timeless story of bad boy Danny and new girl Sandy as they fall in love in the original high school musical. Navigating love and friendship amidst the backdrop of Rydell High, this musical adaptation features the irresistible songs, “You’re The One That I Want,” “Hopelessly Devoted To You,” “There Are Worse Things I Could Do,” and many more from the hit movie and Broadway musical! Grease is the word this summer in Matunuck! Grease, with book, music, and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, is presented through special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc., a Concord Theatricals Company. www.concordtheatricals.com.
Directed and choreographed by Theatre By The Sea’s Producing Artistic Director, Kevin P. Hill, who directed previous TBTS productions of Waitress, Jersey Boys, Kinky Boots, Mamma Mia!, Smokey Joe’s Cafe, Sister Act, Young Frankenstein, Mary Poppins, Grease, and Hello, Dolly!, with musical direction by Tommy Iafrate, who is thrilled to return to TBTS after music directing Tootsie in 2024, the cast includes Nick Cortazzo, who has appeared in national tours of Hadestown and Hairspray, and Lily Kaufmann, whose Broadway credits include Spamalot, Tammy Faye, and Mean Girls. Mr. Cortazzo and Ms. Kaufmann will be making their Theatre By The Sea debuts in the roles of Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski. Abriel Coleman, who has been seen at venues throughout Boston, and Alex LeBlanc, who returns to TBTS after appearing in Mary Poppins in 2014, will be portraying the roles of Betty Rizzo and Roger, with New York based performers Christopher James Mitchell and Caleigh Pan-Kita in the roles of Doody and Marty. Skyler Shields is making his TBTS debut as Kenickie and Jolie Smith, who is returning to TBTS after appearing in Heartbreak Hotel last summer, will be playing the role of Jan. Andrew Tufano, Elana Valastro, Chris Graham, Payton Hines, Sebastian Martelle, Josiah Mayer and Victoria Santiago are all making their TBTS debuts in the roles of Sonny LaTierri, Frenchy, Johnny Casino, Patty Simcox, Eugene Florczyk, Vince Fontaine, and Cha-Cha DeGregorio respectively. Jordan Okeke, who was recently seen in Little Shop of Horrors, and Melanie Souza, who was seen last summer in Hairspray and Heartbreak Hotel, returns to TBTS in the roles of Teen Angel and Miss Lynch. Rounding out the cast are Hayden Barsamian, Bailey Bliss, Connor Buonaccorsi, Grace Crugnale, Erin Foltz, Chase Fontenot, Jake Tomé Rotz, and Maxwell Tate.
The creative team includes resident scenic designer Cassie McKnight, lighting designer Wheeler Moon, sound designer Chad Parsley, wig, hair and makeup design by Erin Kennedy Lunsford; costumes by Maine State Costume Rentals, with additional costumes provided by North Shore Music Theatre; along with Brendan Cullen (Production Stage Manager) and Sydney Bell (Assistant Stage Manager). Grease is being produced for Theatre By The Sea by Bill Hanney (Owner/Producer), Kevin P. Hill (Producing Artistic Director), and Bob Richard (Associate Producer).
Audiences are invited to enhance their theatre experience by dining at the on-site restaurant, Bistro By The Sea, which is being managed by Mark & Alicia Bryson of Duck Press in Wakefield. Following performances on select Friday and Saturday evenings, theatergoers can enjoy fun, food and drinks at the popular Late Night Cabaret, beginning July 3. Reservations are strongly recommended and can be made online at www.theatrebythesea.com/menu or by calling (401) 789-3030. Before or after the meal theatergoers can enjoy the lush seaside gardens, which contain over 300 varieties of perennials, grasses, shrubs and climbing plants, which offer a magical environment for flower lovers of all ages.
Grease will be presented from June 25–July 18, with preview performances on June 25 and opening night scheduled for June 26. Performances are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm, Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2:00 pm, and Sundays at 5:00 pm, with special performance times on Sunday, June 28 at 2:00 & 7:00 pm, and special added Wednesday matinees on July 1 and July 15 at 2pm. The theatre is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield. Tickets for preview performances, Thursday, June 25 are $69, and $66 – $96 for all other performances (additional fees may apply). There will be no performances on July 4. Discount rates are available for groups of 10 or more by calling (401) 782-3800 x112. Tickets are on sale at the box office Monday through Saturday from 11:00 am – 5:00 pm and performance days from 11:00 am until curtain, (performance Sundays 12 noon until curtain), online 24-hours-a-day at www.theatrebythesea.com and via telephone during normal box office hours by calling (401) 782-TKTS (8587).
Located on Rhode Island’s South Shore, Theatre By The Sea celebrates 93 years of summer theatre at its best!
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Theatre By The Sea has had many incarnations since opening on August 7, 1933. Tommy Brent saved the theatre from demolition in 1967 and ran it successfully until FourQuest Entertainment took over the lease in 1988. Following extensive renovations, FourQuest reopened the theatre in the spring of 1989 and continued producing high quality entertainment at the seaside playhouse until the fall of 2003. Bill Hanney purchased the property in 2007 and, with producing partners, successfully mounted a production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, just six weeks later, reopening the historic theatre on August 8, 2007. Since then, Theatre By The Sea has continued to produce a four-musical subscription season, a late-night cabaret series, a children’s theatre festival, and a children’s summer theatre camp.
AT A GLANCE
PRODUCTION: Grease
DATES: June 25 – July 18
WHERE: Theatre By The Sea
364 Card’s Pond Road
Wakefield, RI
PERFORMANCE TIMES: Thursday, June 25 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm (previews)
Friday, June 26 at 8:00 pm (opening)
Saturday, June 27 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, June 28 at 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm
Tuesday, June 30 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, July 1 at 2:00 & 7:30 pm
Thursday, July 2 at 2:00 & 8:00 pm
Friday, July 3 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, July 4 NO PERFORMANCES
Sunday, July 5 at 5:00 pm
Tuesday, July 7 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, July 8 at 7:30 pm
Thursday, July 9 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Friday, July 10 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, July 11 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Sunday, July 12 at 5:00 pm
Tuesday, July 14 at 7:30 pm
Wednesday, July 15 at 2:00 pm & 7:30 pm
Thursday, July 16 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Friday, July 17 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, July 18 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
TICKET PRICES: Previews – $69 (additional fees may apply)
All other performances – $66, $81, $92, $96 (additional fees may apply)
Group Discounts Available for groups of 10 or more by calling (401) 782-3800 x112
TICKETS: www.theatrebythesea.com
(401) 782-TKTS (8587)