It’s the classic high school musical from the 1950s, and it’s here in Coronado! For one more weekend, the talented students of COSA at Coronado High School are presenting Grease in all its poodle-skirted, slicked-back glory.
I had a chance to see the musical this past weekend, where I joined an enthusiastic crowd cheering on their classmates, children, and best friends. As always, CoSA (Coronado School of the Arts) dazzles with exquisite costumes, impressive lighting, electrifying dance numbers, and more. A four-piece live band added to the energy of the entire performance. Grease delivered everything you expect–the familiar songs, the teenage drama, the hand-jive dance–with a few CoSA-specific surprises. Hint: “Greased Lightning”!
The show was also filled with talent from so many students, all of whom greatly impressed me with the quality of their voices and level of comfort on stage. Nicole Sollazzo (Sandy) played the demure part well, but she exploded into the final scene with such energy and enthusiasm that it left me wishing she’d had more time to show off her talent with Sandy’s transformed character before the final minutes of the show. Alana Schick (Rizzo) had an incredible voice, and she fit her role perfectly, living up to the bittersweet combination of tough yet tender that characterizes her role. Josh Conception (Danny) had huge shoes to fill, but it did it with panache and confidence, and he knew how to whip off that leather jacket and dance like a pro.
On the day before opening night, I met up with the three aforementioned stars of the show: Nicole Sollazzo who plays Sandy, Alana Schick who plays Rizzo, and Josh Concepcion who plays Danny. The three seniors were all giddy with excitement over the start of the show, but they were also confident and seasoned as well. All three have been CoSA students since their freshmen year, meaning they take classes for two hours every afternoon for four years focused on the art, design, dance, and direction behind Musical Theatre. The students were all quick to say that CoSA doesn’t feel like school to them, though.
“After my 5th period,” says Alana, “I don’t even feel like I’m at school anymore. Some people just don’t understand because they still see it as class, but it’s not class for us.”
All three said how much they love the people and the community of CoSA. Nicole says, “You are sharing something so personal, and this means so much to so many of us, and we’re getting together for two hours each day.”
When prepping for a musical, however, the students work for much longer than two hours a day. “We have been rehearsing or the past month and a half,” says Josh. “I get to school at 8am and don’t get home till 9pm.”
The students already felt prepared for the show, though, thanks to the years of performance practice they have already completed. “The program really focuses performing, so when it comes time to play roles like these, you are ready to do it,” explains Nicole. “[Our teachers] know that young people learn their art form by doing it for people.”
The students are currently applying to study Musical Theatre in university, and they are setting their hopes as far away as Boston and New York City. For now, though, their hearts are here, particularly when it comes to the teachers and coaches that have gotten them this far.
Each of them raved about their costumes, and wanted to give special credit to Beth Connelly. They all hinted I was in for a wonderful surprise when it came to the costumes Beth had designed, and now that I have seen the show I can agree that they are truly wonderful.
“Also, can we give a shout-out to Barbara Wolfe, our director?” one of them asked.
Nicole chimed in, “She’s amazing! So good at what she does!”
“The sweetest,” added Alana. “She worked on this show months before we began rehearsing, starting in the summer. She works so hard. I am amazed at how hard she works and still is so nice.”
“And her casting…,” added Nicole.
“Yes,” said Josh, “she goes big and doesn’t go home. She understands people. She is such a good director, she has a director’s mind. She is the sun in the sky for me.”
“She is our sun,” agreed Alana.
“She is like the cherry on top of the cake,” Josh added. “No, I take that back, she is the cake. Because she is the foundation. She is the foundation of CoSA.”
With such affection for their director, how could the show not be wonderful? Come and see it this weekend for the final two shows! Tickets are available here with discounts for students and staff.
