Theatre Aspen Unveils New Direction for Summer Grease Production

Aspen —“From day one, this is going to be a different ‘Grease.’ It still has all the fun stuff that people love from the film, but with some exciting new elements.”

That’s how Drew Redington describes Theatre Aspen’s latest production, which opens July 31 and runs through Aug. 29 at the Hurst Theatre, located at 470 Rio Grande Place. The question for locals isn’t whether they’ll want to see a musical about teenagers, love, and high school hierarchy. The question is whether this version justifies the ticket price and the trip downtown during peak summer traffic.

The answer, according to the cast and director Patrick O’Neill, lies in the details. O’Neill has returned after leading two holiday cabarets, and he’s applied a specific lens to the classic score. He pulls elements from both the movie and the stage musical, rearranging scenes and adjusting casting to create what cast member Nina Gabianelli calls a “really great concept of the show.”

The math holds up for those looking for star power. The production features three performers making their Theatre Aspen debuts, all of whom have prior working relationships with O’Neill. Chris Robert Hanford steps into the role of Danny Zuko, a character he played earlier this summer with Wolfbane Productions in Virginia. Hanford studied under O’Neill previously, making this a reunion of sorts. His resume includes national tours of “& Juliet” and “An Officer & a Gentleman.”

“I’ve always been a fan of the movie and the role of ‘Danny Zuko.’ It’s a fun one. This is my first season playing the role at a professional theater,” Hanford said.

Then there’s Redington, who plays Kenickie. He brings Broadway credits that include “Mean Girls,” “The Prom,” and “Sunset Boulevard.” He notes that Aspen audiences are in for a treat because the production doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel — it just polishes it.

Nevada Riley returns for her third summer with Theatre Aspen as Sandy, the character who reunites with Danny after a brief romance. Riley made her Broadway debut in “Beetlejuice” and appeared earlier this summer in Theatre Aspen’s “Some Enchanted Evening: The Golden Age of Broadway” cabaret. Her return suggests stability in the lead role, even as new faces fill out the ensemble.

Kiki Lemieux takes on Rizzo, a role Redington says will “break everyone’s heart.” He described her as a dream to work with, signaling that the production is leaning into emotional depth alongside the rock ‘n’ roll energy. Nick Bernardi returns for his second season as Vince Fontaine, providing continuity for returning patrons who may have seen him last year.

DeShawn Travis Bowens plays Johnny Casino, and Emilee Has joins the cast as well. Together, they form what O’Neill describes as a group of “triple threats” — performers who sing, dance, and act with equal skill. This is a necessary qualification for a show that relies on high-energy choreography and an infectious score.

For the community, this means more than just entertainment. It means employment for local stagehands and technicians, and it fills the Hurst Theatre during a season when tourism is already high. The show runs on the same stage where locals have watched holiday cabarets and Broadway-style revues for years.

O’Neill’s direction ensures that while the story remains familiar, teenagers navigating love, friendship, and the pressure to fit in - the execution feels fresh. The casting choices support that vision. Hanford’s experience with national tours brings a certain polish, while Redington’s Broadway background adds breadth. Riley and Bernardi offer the reliability of returnees.

“It’s a really great concept of the show,” Gabianelli said, summarizing the effort.

The production aims to prove that “Grease” has carried its enduring appeal across generations for more than five decades, and that there is still something new to discover. For neighbors who value local arts, the combination of familiar characters and fresh direction makes this summer’s run worth checking out.

“I think Aspen is in for a real treat,” Redington said. “It still has all the fun stuff that people love from the film, but with some exciting new elements.”