The Burger Palace Boys (left to right) Sonny (Steven Young), Kenickie (Jerard Mosley), Doody (Ethan Leon-Duffey), and Roger (Bryan Knous). (Contributed Photo)

Get ready to travel back in time to Rydell High as Tyler Civic Theatre Center revives the classic musical “Grease.”

With slicked-back hair, Pink Ladies, and a soundtrack that’ll have you singing along, the production promises to bring the magic of the 1950s to life.

Directed by Stephen Rainwater, “Grease,” follows the love story of Danny and Sandy, two high schoolers from different worlds who navigate the challenges of peer pressure, romance and self-discovery.

“Sandy brought the best out of Danny,” Rainwater said. “When they were on the beach, he was the perfect boyfriend … everything she ever could have asked for.”

When it came to the perfect Danny Zuko, Rainwater wasn’t just looking for a ‘tough guy.’

“What I wanted to find here was somebody who was an everyman hero and somebody who walks into a room and just with their smile and their presence lights up that room,” Rainwater said. “And that is Nathan (Hill) in a nutshell. (He) has one of the best voices for a male that I’ve heard in Tyler, Texas. Period. So, he really makes those moments count … but then there’s an earnestness to him that even when he may go a little rogue in his character, you can’t help but love the guy.”

Hill remembers thinking how cool the character was when he first saw the movie.

“I’m super excited to take on the task of this iconic character,” he said of portraying Danny. “ ‘Grease’ is such a fun show about friendship and love … but I really wanted to showcase the two sides of Danny … he’s trying to fit in and be the cool guy with his friends, but he also wants to show his vulnerability with Sandy. I want to bring all of that and make it a little more grounded.”

Eva Hamlett, the shy and reserved Sandy, said she works on her role constantly.

“I find myself falling asleep listening to the songs,” she said. “It’s on my brain all the time … but I love it. She’s such an iconic character … I’m really enjoying it.”

“Eva really epitomizes that wonderful girl next door,” Rainwater said. “She’s just somebody you just can’t help but feel drawn to … she has that aura, she has that presence, not to mention the most beautiful voice. And I think of Sandy … Eva basically dialed up a little bit, and so it’s really kind of fun.”

Delaney Mullee portrays the bubbly and colorful Frenchy.

“I just love Frenchy … love her pink hair,” Mullee said. “She’s such a sweetheart who cares about everybody. She welcomes Sandy into the Pink Ladies and looks out for her a little bit. Being able to portray her on stage is really fun.”

Grease is renowned for its lively and energetic dance numbers, a hallmark of the production. Tyler Civic Theatre Center enlisted Ethan Gonzalez as the choreographer, ensuring the musical’s iconic dances are brought to life with skill and flair.

“He really wants to tell a story with every movement that we’re doing,” Hill said. “It’s all very specific and very small movements that come together to tell a larger story.”

“(Ethan) is this very ambitious choreographer who is based in New York and … essentially is giving everything but the kitchen sink to give the audience the best experience possible,” Rainwater said.

The stage production of “Grease” opened in 1972, and the movie was released in 1978.

“A lot of times when you get rights to do the show, you only get rights to do the Broadway show, which means that if you get the show and not the movie, you’re gonna miss out on all those songs,” Rainwater said. “And if I were an audience member, I would feel cheated if I didn’t get to hear those songs.”

After numerous calls to the publishing company, Rainwater was able to secure the rights to every song from the movie as well as the musical.

“To me, these songs are so important to the story,” he said. “So the audiences that are coming in, they’re getting the whole show. They’re getting the Broadway elements that are great on the stage but also those iconic movie numbers that people know and love so much.”

Rainwater directed Footloose last year but being able to direct this year’s production of ‘Grease’ holds a special place in his heart.

“Just something about it just resonates, and it’s just the feeling of being happy, the feeling of your first love … your entourage, your best friend group that is always with you by your side, no matter what kind of silly hijinks you may be up to,” Rainwater said. “And the music is just so infectious. You can’t help but hum or sing along, even if you’re not a fan of it. It’s a sign of a good musical.”

In addition to the iconic songs, Tyler Civic Theatre Center’s rendition of ‘”Grease” will also stay true to the stage adaptation’s origins with the Burger Palace Boys, a counterpart to the classic T-Birds from the film, which is led by Danny, alongside Kenickie, Roger, and Doody.

Joining Rainwater as part of the production team are Sara England Jones, assistant director; Nicholas Sheffield, music director, and Hannah Davis, stage manager. “Grease” is being produced by Amanda Kattengell, Jan Dobbs Barton, and Jennifer Orren.

”We’re thrilled to bring ‘Grease’ to the stage,” said DeAnna Hargrove, Tyler Civic Theatre’s Executive Director, in a press release. “It’s a timeless story with incredible music and characters that resonate with audiences of all ages. We’ve put together a fantastic team, and we can’t wait to share this electrifying production with the Tyler community.”

The show will run July 19-21, July 25-28 and Aug. 1-4. To purchase tickets, call the TCTC box office at (903) 592-0561 or visit bit.ly/tylercivictheatre_grease.

A free preview show for the community also is set at 8 p.m. on July 12 at True Vine Brewing Company, 2453 Earl Campbell Parkway in Tyler.