Many young people aspiring to perfect their passion, whether it be music, art, or athletics, dream of meeting their idols. For the cast, pit, and crew members of this year’s musical Grease, the opportunity came in stride on Tuesday, Nov. 12 when actor Didi Conn joined them on Webex as students crowded eagerly in the innovation room. Conn, who portrayed the role of Frenchy Facciano on the big screen in Grease and Grease 2, eagerly answered the students’ burning questions and listened to them perform snippets from the musical.
After battling some technical difficulties, Conn began by retelling the story of how she became Frenchy. Initially vying for Betty Rizzo, Conn was asked to read Frenchy’s lines during her audition instead. Her in-real-life bubbly personality, along with her character choices during filming, solidified Conn as the perfect choice to play Frenchy.
Shortly into the call, Conn pulled on her original Pink Ladies jacket as she continued to share Grease anecdotes. A funny memory she recalled was the fact that aside from Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta, the rest of the cast were all in their late 20s or early 30s. Acting as teenagers, despite being double that age, proved to be interesting for Conn and others. In true method acting fashion, Conn kept up her Frenchy persona at all times on set, even when the camera was not rolling.
Once Conn concluded her filming stories, she asked the students if they had any questions for her. They inquired about what it is like to be in the film industry and asked for performance advice, especially since their own production of Grease was only nine days out. Junior Alexa Rutigliano, who played Sandy Dumbrowski in LHS’s production, was honored to speak with Conn on a personal level. “Being able to speak to Didi was such a blessing and made me take a second to really appreciate everyone in the room, where I am, and how far I’ve come to be here. That is such a special feeling I’ll never let go of,” Rutigliano gushed.
Before Conn and the students parted ways, the cast performed “We Go Together,” Act 1’s closing number. Director of Fine and Performing Arts Adrianna Schaefer reveled in this moment for the students: “My favorite part of the call was watching Ms. Conn watch the cast perform and how excited, impressed, and proud she was.”
South Middle School chorus teacher Annie Pasqua, who played a major role in getting the call with Conn in the first place, shared enjoyment for this moment, too. “Seeing her expression and hearing her excitement was absolutely thrilling,” Pasqua gleamed. Pasqua’s relationship with Conn extends beyond November’s call: “My husband and I work with Didi Conn’s husband. Academy Award-winning composer David Shire, Didi, and I have become close over the years.”
For students and educators alike, the experience of speaking with Conn was valuable. “I hope everyone took it as an opportunity to bond with one another and appreciate that [the musical is] a family. Family gets you so far in life and it’s such a special thing that we need to hold onto,” Rutigliano explained. Schaefer ended the call feeling grateful: “I was so excited to be able to offer the opportunity to speak with Didi Conn to the cast, crew, [and pit.] It felt like a beautiful full circle moment for the students to be able to connect with one of the original cast members.”
When she is not speaking with students, Conn spends her time as an advocate for theatre education and is an ambassador for Music Theatre International, promoting resources and opportunities for aspiring actors.
