Edmonton’s Bear Grease is heading to New York 

Since 2021, Edmonton’s Bear Grease the Musical has delighted audiences. The 1950s style musical take on Grease with an Indigenous twist is set on Enoch Cree Nation, replacing poodle skirts with ribbon skirts.

“We just want to indigenize it through fashion, through culture, through language, but still keep it the Danny and Sandy love story,” said Crystle Lighting, a co-creator of Bear Grease.

But this year, after more than 200 shows across North America, the Edmonton group will soon perform in the Big Apple at New York’s off-Broadway.

“I mean, New York is the Mecca of theatre, so the fact that they invited us there is an absolute dream, and letting us know that we really have something good, and we’re gonna kill it, we’re gonna pack the house every night,” said Lighting.

Lighting says there has been a lack of representation of the Indigenous community in theatre arts, calling Bear Grease cultural reclamation, combining PowWow-style beats with theatrical flair and modern energy.

“This is something that is cool, contemporary, and there’s something for every generation. The elders love the 50s aspect,” said Lighting.

Murry Utas, the director of Edmonton’s Fringe Festival, says the play almost didn’t get the green light back in 2021. Eventually, they decided to bet on the big productions, even as the festival struggled through the pandemic. Adding, he glad to see it grow all the way to New York.

“It’s something that is pretty rare. It doesn’t happen all that often, and I think for Edmonton and for stories, I am so very happy in all those areas,” said Utas.

Bear Grease will head to New York for a three-month residency starting in June.

“I can’t wait to show what we’ve created.”