Performance of ‘Grease is the Word’

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Dusting off their leather jackets and putting on their bobby socks, the third to eighth graders of Freeport Recreation Center, Broadway and You summer program took Freeporters back to 1959 with a performance of “Grease is the Word” on Aug. 10.

The audience marveled as the children broke out their best “hand jive” moves to the song, “Born to Hand Jive.”

The performance is a part of the 17th annual Sunset Concert Series hosted by The Arts Council at Freeport on the Nautical Mile Esplanade. Every Thursday, the Arts Council hosts a live event/concert. Last week, they welcomed the Freeport children to perform. Since late June, Broadway and You summer program kids have been working hard to memorize lines and songs from the famous Broadway show and movie, “Grease.” The cast of elementary and middle school children performed songs like, “Look at me, I’m Sandra Dee,” “We Go Together,” “You’re the one that I want,” and more.

Though the official opening night of the play is not until this Thursday at Our Holy Redeemer Church’s auditorium in Freeport. The Arts Council invited the performers under the direction of Robyn Workman to perform their play on the Nautical Mile. The approximately 30 children worked together to help create sets, costumes and learn their lines and songs.

Freeport Recreation Center director, Victoria Dinielli says, the Broadway and You programs, there is also a Broadway and You, Jr., are between the top and most popular summer camps the Center offers.

“The kids work hard to practice and memorize their lines,” Dinielli said. “It’s one of our most wonderful program and the kids work hard on their performances all summer long.”

The kids meet three times a week in the early part of the afternoon and focus on squeezing out as much practice and experience during the two-hour rehearsals. The program will restart in the fall for a fall performance of a new production. The Freeport Recreation Center is hosting an open night on Sept. 9, which will allow visitors to familiarize with the Center’s fall programs. Registration for the Broadway and You programs will open on Sept. 16 and 17.