So, being a small part of six nearly-all-sold-out shows just wasnโt enough for me and the amazing cast of the New Tampa Players (NTP)โs production of โGreaseโ at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center (NTPAC).
To that end, on the Thursday after the production wrapped its second weekend, yours truly, my wife Jannah and the Neighborhood News hosted a fun post-party for the โGreaseโ cast and crew.ย
The event was held at Joe Whiskeyโs Sports Bar on S.R. 54 in Wesley Chapel, and was attended by more than 40 members of the โGreaseโ cast and crew, including โGreaseโ director & musical director G. Frank Meekins, choreographer Sarah Walston and NTP producing artistic director and โGreaseโ stage manager Nora Paine.ย
With delicious food provided by owner Pat Ciaccio (at left in photo with yours truly & Jannah Nager) and his Johnny Cโs Italian Kitchen on Cross Creek Blvd. and three hours of private karaoke with Joe Whiskeyโs own karaoke jock Allan Hudson Brady, the cast party was almost as much fun as the show itself. I did say โalmost.โย
And, despite the fact that several of the cast members had said previously they didnโt want to do any โGreaseโ karaoke at the party, everyone who was on hand performed the song-&- dance routines from โSummer Nights,โ โGreased Lightningโ and other favorites from the show. There may have even been a โMacarenaโ and other dances that werenโt in โGrease.โ
Truly a great time was had by all. It was just our way of thanking all of these talented people for their efforts
Nora said, โThat spirit of community everyone was feeling tonight is exactly what community theatre is really all about.โ Agreed! โ GNย
