Summer Dramatics’ ‘Grease’ production continues through devastating loss

July 27, 2025 Last Updated: July 27, 2025 06:33 PM

‘Let’s do it for Gordon’

Andrew Skrastins, as Kenickie, center, performs “Greased Lightning” with the rest of the Burger Palace Boys during the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project production of “Grease” on Saturday, July 26, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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The Summer Dramatics Project’s production of “Grease” suffered an unexpected tragedy when longtime director Gordon Cavalero died a week before opening night.

Cavalero, who was not only a leader for Summer Dramatics but a frequent contributor to theater in Butler County, was honored at the July 26 performance of “Grease” with his own chair adorned with flowers put together by some cast members. They also observed a moment of silence before the show began.

Cavalero died on Friday, July 18, at the age of 78.

Zach Marra, as Danny, and Reese Curry, as Sandy, perform the musical number “All Choked Up” during the Summer Dramatics Project production of “Grease” on Saturday, July 26, at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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The Summer Dramatics Project was a nonprofit, and a passion project of Cavalero, who loved theater and wanted to give young actors a platform to get performance experience for free. Kayla Karenbauer, the music director of “Grease,” said the project is exclusively run by volunteers.

“This (project) was kind of his baby,” Karenbauer said. “His thing was to give all these kids an opportunity. He gave everyone a chance to be front and center, and everybody a chance to be everywhere else.”

Levi Crawford, left, and Zach Marra work on their hair before the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project of the musical “Grease” on Saturday, July 26, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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According to Karenbauer, at least five high schools were represented in the cast, in addition to some college student performers.

Debbe Picerno, the pianist of “Grease,” said that Cavalero revived the Summer Dramatics program in the late ’70s and it has been active since. Cavalero, after his takeover in the late ’90s, not only made the project more organized and consistent, but brought in more resources and expertise, Picerno said.

“He raised the bar as far as the way it was staged,” Picerno said. “Because he was so good at what he did. He made it a cut above any of the shows we had done up to then, even though they were good.”

Rachel Loreen, as Rizzo, left, gets into a fight with Reese Curry, as Sandy, after Rizzo’s song mocking Sandy during the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project production of “Grease” on Saturday, July 26, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Picerno said she joined her first show with Summer Dramatics in 1971. After a brief hiatus, she returned in 1998 and has since taken part in a majority of the shows.

“He had the world’s biggest heart,” Picerno said. “He was just so welcoming and patient with everything, no matter who they were, and didn’t care how many kids we had.”

Owen Black, left, helps Matthew Neff get ready for the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project of the musical “Grease” on Saturday, July 26, at the Succop Theater at Butler County Community College. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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“Gordon was a person who embraced everything,” said Marissa Wagner, who stepped into Cavalero’s role as the director following his death. “He loved everybody. He accepted everybody, and he pushed everybody to their fullest potential. He picked that (project) up back in the ’90s and made it what it is.”

“He always wants to get to know you, always cracking jokes,” said Rachel Loreen, who plays Betty Rizzo in the show.

Andrew Skrastins, who plays Kenickie in the show, said that although he only knew Cavalero for two years, he developed a close friendship with him. Cavalero always worked closely with leads to foster their stage presence, Skrastins said.

Rachel Loreen, as Rizzo, sings “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee” during the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project production of “Grease” at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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“I’m very grateful for the time I had with him,” Skrastins said. “I think he saw a lot in me that other directors didn’t, so it gave me a lot of opportunity on the stage.”

Cavalero’s motivation for spearheading the project and advancing it was his love for children and theater, Picerno said. Cavalero’s support for the up-and-coming actors went as far as him even going to the performances of the actors who had worked with him as kids, Wagner said.

From left, Rachel Loreen, Mia McGrady, Amara Dicerbo, Delaney Ray and Reese Curry honor Gordon Cavalero with flowers before the Summer Dramatics Project’s production of “Grease” on Saturday, July 26, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Loreen said that she always wanted to act in “Grease,” particularly in the role of Rizzo, but did not get the opportunity until Cavalero gave her that chance.

“When I saw the opportunity, I definitely wanted to take it,” Loreen said. “I was grateful Gordon saw that for me.”

“Grease” was Cavalero’s favorite show, according to Karenbauer, and he was as ready as ever to put together the show this year.

Saturday, July 19, was supposed to be a typical double rehearsal, which is usually a good bonding experience. Instead, the day after finding out about Cavalero’s death, the crew got together to discuss how to deal with the situation, Picerno said.

Reese Curry, as Sandy, center, sings “Summer Nights” during the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project production of “Grease” on Saturday, July 26, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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“It was tough for all of us,” said Picerno, who knew Cavalero for about 40 years. “We all just expected to see him walk in through the auditorium.”

The young cast was devastated by the loss of Cavalero but took the tragedy as motivation to push for making this their best show ever in honor the longtime director, Karenbauer said.

“This process, this year, has been a lot for the kids, especially with everything that happened with Gordon,” Karenbauer said. “This week has been for him. That’s their motivation and it’s been great for them.”

“We saw it as an opportunity to put on the best show that we could for him,” Skrastins said. “That’s what I gathered from not just the leads, but the entire cast.”

Piper Curry, left, and Delaney Ray hug before going on stage for the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project production of “Grease” on Saturday, July 26, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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“The kids — they would have done well anyways, so don’t get me wrong, but it was that motivation,” Picerno said. “Let’s do it for Gordon.”

The show is likewise in spirit of Cavalero’s passion for theater, said Naomi Wagner, who is in charge of the costumes for the show.

“He wouldn’t have wanted anybody to shut it down or anything like that,” she said.

Anna Earhart, right, helps Riley Smith with her scarf before the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project production of “Grease” on Saturday, July 26, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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The Summer Dramatic’s presentation of “Grease” opened July 25, with the last show on Sunday, July 27, at 2 p.m. Both the July 26 and July 27 showings have been sold out.

Marissa Wagner, formerly the assistant director for “Grease,” stepped up to direct the show and help bring Cavalero’s vision to life.

“I went from standing behind Gordon and making sure the kids were doing what they were supposed to be doing, to making all of the decisions. It was a huge leap for me,” Marissa Wagner said.

Zach Marra and Kelsey Kennedy high five before the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project production of “Grease” on Saturday, July 26, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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What helped Marissa Wagner was how the 77 cast members, ranging from the ages of 10 to 25, dealt with the complication.

“They got on stage, they smiled, they continued and worked really hard this past week to put all the finishing touches on the show,” she said.

Naomi Wagner said, “I think he would be very proud of the kids right now.”

The crew stepped up as well.

“We all play our own roles, but we all took just a little extra piece to cover what he was doing,” Karenbauer said.

Delaney Ray cuts her eyelashes before the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project production of “Grease” on Saturday, July 26, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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“We really came together as a community, as a family, for this particular production of ‘Grease,’” Loreen said. “Marissa, specifically, really stepped up into the director position during tech week, and it was just beautiful to see her execute his vision.”

Nonetheless, Cavalero’s loss was felt throughout the week.

Reese Curry, who plays Sandy, gets ready backstage, with a photo of Olivia Newton-John for inspiration, before the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project production of “Grease” Saturday, July 26, at Butler County Community College’s Succop Theater. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Karenbauer said the opening night on July 25 was the best one she has seen from the cast. Among the seats of the full crowd was one decorated with flowers, in memory of Cavalero.

“He’s there, watching them all week in a sense,” Karenbauer said. “They’ve taken it to heart, but to the same point, they’ve taken it as motivation to do it for him.”

“He embodied theater,” Marissa Wagner said. “He embodied everything with this production.”

“He was a good friend,” Picerno said.

Owen Black, left, helps Matthew Neff get ready for the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project of the musical “Grease” at the Succop Theater in Butler on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Levi Crawford, left, and Zach Marra work on their hair before the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project of the musical “Grease” at the Succop Theater in Butler on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Delaney Ray cuts her eyelashes before the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project of the musical “Grease” at the Succop Theater in Butler on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Anna Earhart, right, helps Riley Smith with her scarf before the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project of the musical “Grease” at the Succop Theater in Butler on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Reese Curry, who plays Sandy, gets ready backstage with a photo of Olivia Newton-John for inspiration before the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project of the musical “Grease” at the Succop Theater in Butler on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Zach Marra and Kelsey Kennedy high five before the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project of the musical “Grease” at the Succop Theater in Butler on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Piper Curry, left, and Delaney Ray hug before going on stage for the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project of the musical “Grease” at the Succop Theater in Butler on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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Left to right, Rachel Loreen, Mia McGrady, Amara Dicerbo, Delaney Ray and Reese Curry honor Gordon Cavalero with flowers before going on stage for the 2025 Summer Dramatics Project of the musical “Grease” at the Succop Theater in Butler on Saturday, July 26, 2025. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle

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