Visitors to Victoria on Easter Saturday morning, had a pleasant surprise when the cast from the upcoming production of Grease brightened up a dull cloudy morning, when they performed excerpts from the musical in St George’s Square and Independence Square, complete with a vintage American car.
The musical Grease is being performed at the Astra Theatre in April, and will present a unique blend of Gozitan and Maltese artists and the casting was preceded by an audition process which was carried out earlier in February. 
Mro Sigmund Mifsud, musical director of Grease, has said that the theatre is offering a window of opportunity to the local artists, singers and performers in the forthcoming production, which, he said, despite being a first experience in the musical genre, promises to be a high calibre production.
Maltese born Kevin Borg rose to international fame in 2008 when he won the IDOL completion in Sweden where he then continued to top Swedish charts. 
The production of Grease in Gozo at the Astra Theatre follows a successful rendition Kevin gave in the same role in Sweden. Kevin is the winner of the ‘Best Maltese Artist’ in Malta and is currently preparing for a number of tours in Japan and other eastern countries.
Maxine Aquilina, a graduate in music and performing arts, has recently been offered a place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she will be reading for a masters in Musical Theatre. Maxine has been involved and interpreted key roles in a large number of local musicals and pantomimes. In 2014 Maxine was awarded the Best Actress award at the MADC One Act Festival. 
The role of Keneckie will be interpreted by Jean Marc, Cafa whilst Doody will be Remi Azzopardi. Fabian Galea, Andrew Scicluna and Andrew Micallef will be interpreting the characters of Roger, Sonny and Eugene respectively. Ricky Bugeja will be acting in the shoes of Johnny Casino and Vince Fontaine. The female roles will include Lara Dimech, who is currently starring in local TV drama series Katrina, in the role of Rizzo.
Gabriella Azzopardi will interpret Marty, whilst Shannon McEvoy will be Frenchy and Francesca Sciberras will play the fun loving Jan. Tara Marie Mercieca will be interpreting the role of cheer leader Patty Simcox and Denise Mercieca Cha Cha.
The show will include special guest-star appearances, including Gozitan soprano Ruth Portelli who puts in a cameo appearance as the winner of the Rydell High Song Contest. Teatru Astra’s veteran actress, Maria Zammit Borg will be Ms Lynch.
Grease, a production of the Astra Theatre, with the participation of Studio 18, will be staged in Victoria on Saturday, the 16th of April, starting at 8.00pm.
Eurovision-fame singer Julie Zahra will be the production’s vocal coach, assisted by Mariella Spiteri Cefai, director of the Piccole Stelle – Astra Theatre’s 50-strong children’s choir. Christabel Bajada is the lead choreographer of Grease.
Online booking is available on www.ticketline.com.mt [1]. Reservations can also reach the theatre’s help desk on info@lastella.com.mt [2] or +356 99021591. Tickets are also available for sale from the Charles Grech outlets in Valletta and Birkirkara.
The production is supported by Charles Grech Co Ltd, General Soft Drinks Company Limited, the American Embassy and the Gozo Cultural Council within the Ministry for Gozo.
Photographs: Alain Salvary