IU hopelessly devoted to 'Grease'

"We go together like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong…" These recognizable lyrics are from the third longest running show on broadway which opens tonight at the IU Auditorium. "Grease," written by Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs, is the story of Danny Zuko, king of the Burger Palace Boys and Sandy Dumbrowski, the wholesome, naïve, pretty transfer student whose life changes after meeting Rizzo, the tough yet vulnerable leader of the Pink Ladies gang. \nThis hilarious, musical and loving look at what it was like growing up in the zany '50s was one of the most popular shows on the research survey put out last year by the IU Auditorium, said Doug Booher, director of the auditorium. Booher expects this high energy, exciting production to have a positive response by audience members as it is "one of those shows that everyone knows and loves."\nTaking place during a time when hot rod loving boys in leather jackets chased girls in white bobby socks and pedal pushers, this show is full of thrill and crosses generations. \n"This is a great opportunity for us to jump onto the success of The Temptations," Booher said. He said he hopes "everyone comes out and has an enjoyable evening."\nAs an added bonus, there will be a pre-show oldies dance contest that will start at 7:45 p.m. and take place at the auditorium and will feature deejay character Vince Fontaine.\nBruce Perry, assistant company manager for the tour, said this particular company will be traveling all over the United States, into Canada and going as far north as Alaska. Perry, whose job consists of many duties including getting the cast from place to place, booking hotels, travel and pay, has been touring with theater companies for years. \nAfter growing up in a small Louisiana town, he attended North East Louisiana University and graduated with a degree in radio/TV and film. Besides "Grease," Perry has toured with companies such as "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" and "Bye, Bye, Birdie" both as an actor and a crewmember.\n"This is an amazing tour," Perry said. "It's an incredible experience being in a new city every few days and meeting people all over the country."\nThis brand new production features songs from the 1978 film of the same name starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Rights were granted to this tour to include songs such as "Hopelessly Devoted to You," "You're the One that I Want" and "Grease," which had previously not been included in the stage show. Other songs include "Greased Lightning," "We Go Together" and "Born to hand Jive."\nMatt Mindrum, a sophomore and the customer relations' specialist at the auditorium, expects this show to be well attended due to it being a favorite of many. \n"Many people have seen the movie or done it in high school," Mindrum said.\nTickets are still available and range from $17 to $37 for students and $32 to $57 for the public and can be purchased at the box office or by calling 855-1103. "Grease" will be showing today, Oct. 2 and tomorrow, October 3 at the IU auditorium.