The Walpole High School Winter Musical, “Grease,” debuted March 10 and 11 to record crowds. Its opening night showing sold out so far in advance that ticket sellers added 25 plastic chairs to the auditorium for additional seats; its Sunday matinee saw the auditorium only 25 seats short of capacity. Taking into account the law of averages, both shows sold out. Likewise, both rocked the WHS auditorium: crowds at the premiere and matinee finished the nights on their feet, clapping and cheering fervently for the high school students who made the “Grease” a success.

The musical starred junior Evan Parsons as Danny Zuko and senior Erin Strickland as Sandy Dumbrowski, who were picked, not solely for their ability to fill the part, but for their dedication to the WHS Drama Club. “Erin and Evan lead by example,” said senior John Griffin, who played the dweebish Eugene Florzcyk in the show. “They learned their lines; they learned their dances. They were extremely well-prepared, and they helped prepare others.” The show was not about its leads, however; it was a complete experience, which serviced 60-plus students in lead roles, ensemble roles, and spots in both the stage crew and pit orchestra. Said director Jim D’Attilio,  “Like the rest of the cast, [Parsons and Strickland] brought a high degree of effort.”

“This is not a competitive sport,” said D’Attilio, “nor is it commercial enterprise. It is a high school program where we want to nurture student’s abilities and skills.” The show allowed students interested in performing or producing to have a venue for their  Said junior Jackie Gately, who played Danny Zuko’s right-hand man, Kenickie, one of several male leads, “Drama Club gives more than 60 kids with no interest in sports something to do and a place to be.” Gately’s solo number, “Greased Lightning,” included backup from about 15 male actors, who received enthusiastic applause for their decidedly un-athletic dancing during the song.

D’Attilio and Gately are not alone in their sentiments about the nature of the program. Current and former members alike have stated their approval for the family-like nature of the club. The club is not without its drawbacks: cast members occasionally miss rehearsals; disorganization runs rampant where returning scripts and props is concerned; and the cast members occasionally seek to draw blood after spending countless hours together in the show’s “Hell Week”– the week before production. Ultimately, however, none of that matters, when records are broken and everyone– cast and audience alike– leaves happy. “I thought that [the performances of “Grease”] were two of the smoothest and liveliest performances I’ve ever seen our students produce,” said D’Attilio. “The cast should be very proud of themselves.”

According to the director, the cast, and the massive audiences, the Walpole High School Winter Musical is an important addition to the town of Walpole. It may not always exist, however. The musical could be on the cutting block for the 2012-2013 school year, due to a school budget deficit of over $1 million. The musical did its part to raise money. At the musical, School Committee representative Mrs. Betsy Mullen was able to raise both money and awareness for the WHS Drama Club, and other artistic programs, by selling raffle tickets. Concessions were provided by Mrs. Deborah Jordan and volunteers from the Walpole High School Animal Shelter Club, another group looking down the barrel of an impending cut. Lastly, the musical itself fundraised, selling ads for its programs to Walpole business and thereby funding sets, costumes, and props for the shows.

“Grease” made a lot of people happy. Sales aside, the students in the show had a great time. Said Gately, “The students put a lot into this. It’s great to see the show get such positive feedback.” As for cuts, said D’Attilio, “It will depend on future budgets, and decisions that are out of my hands.” For now, the cast can be happy that they put on a successful show.