Annelise Hall is about to play the part of Sandy in a new production of Grease: The Musical. Editor in Chief Michelle Giglio speaks to the Manly local about stepping into the shoes of one of Australia’s most loved characters.
Annelise Hall is on top of the world. When we sit down for a chat at the Manly Pavilion, she’s about to start rehearsals for a national production of Grease, which she has been working towards her whole career. How is she feeling? “This is my dream come true!” Annelise says. “This is what I have wanted since I was five years old and I played Molly in Annie in my primary school production.
“Ever since then, I’ve always loved doing musical theatre and I always wanted to play a lead in a big commercial musical. And here we are. I made it happen and I’m so, so excited.”
The 24-year-old will lead a stellar cast in Australia’s latest multi- million dollar production of Grease: The Musical, which is all the more poignant 18 months on from the passing of Olivia Newton- John, who immortalised Sandy in the 1978 movie version of the original Broadway show. It must be intimidating to follow in the footsteps of Olivia, I suggest.
“I guess I’m a little bit nervous because she’s Australia’s sweetheart, but at the same time, I think that Australia loves Sandy so much. Australia loves Olivia Newton-John, and so bringing back (her memory) on stage after such a devastating loss last year will be really special for me and Australian audiences.”
It’s not the first time that Annelise has played Sandy, as she performed it while studying a Bachelor of Musical Theatre at the Queensland Conservatorium. So while she’ll be bringing some of Olivia to the character, Annelise will also bring some of herself. “I think that makes it a little bit less nerve wracking because I’m putting my own spin on it. I’m really going to focus on giving her some grit, giving her some strength, trying to make her really empowered throughout the whole show.”
From left: Annelise has performed in many musicals over two decades. In February she played lead role Hope in The Marvellous Elephant Man. While studying her craft in Brisbane she was Sandy in Grease at the QPAC; and also played Sophie in Mamma Mia!
Annelise was born in St Ives but grew up in Newport sailing on the Pittwater with her two older sisters. As a child, Annelise would go out on boats tied together like rafts with her cousins out to Refuge Bay with its scenic waterfall, and camp at the Basin near Currawong Beach. “Boats are really special and something that remind me a lot of family and a lot of home,” she reminisces.
It was when in high school at Brigidine College in St Ives, which has a strong performing arts department, that she developed her acting talent, had an agent and started doing television commercials – as well as all the school’s musicals. “I used to do my homework in the car because I was always so busy going between choir rehearsal and a dance class!” she remembers.
Fresh from performing lead role Hope in The Marvellous Elephant Man, a new Australian musical which won the Adelaide Fringe 2023 Critics’ Circle Award, Annelise says acting is her favourite medium out of dancing and singing. “I love the feeling of stepping into another role. I love that it takes away the nerves when you’re on stage, because you’re not yourself, you are a character.”
All eyes will be on the young star as she belts out some of the most well-known songs across the globe, with Grease making history after its release as the highest-grossing movie- musical of all time.
“When I was growing up, Olivia Newton-John was someone who inspired me so much because she always went with grace.”
Watching the movie ‘about five million times’ has helped prepare Annelise for the iconic role, but also researching teenagers of the 1950s, a period of great social change in the USA. “There was this undercurrent of rebellion and searching for identity that happened in America at the time,” Annelise explains. “The original (theatre) production (on Broadway) was very gritty. It was very ‘teen angst’.”
Annelise says the story has many themes which teenagers of today can still relate to. “Everyone wants to be part of something. Everyone wants to have their tribe. And there’s an undercurrent of women supporting women.” So in the movie, Danny’s tribe are the T-Birds and newcomer Sandy just wants to be one of the Pink Ladies.
“Sandy’s journey is very empowered,” Annelise explains. “It is a reflection of that old America to new America. She starts out very polite. She’s this beautiful, kind person. There’s nothing wrong with that, and that’s very reflective of old America. She has certain morals. But at that time in America, we were also seeing all this struggle for identity, struggle for freedom, struggle to be an empowered woman. And I think we see that in Sandy’s journey.”
While Sandy used her body to get what she wanted, she was strong, Annelise says. “And in 2023, when we’re so respectful of women taking control of their body and making their own choices, I think it really resonates with the audience.”
The musical will kick off in Melbourne on New Year’s Eve before touring in Sydney at the Capitol Theatre and then Perth. Premiering in Melbourne is somewhat fitting as the home town of Olivia Newton-John, and in October Annelise completed Olivia’s Walk for Wellness at the Alexandra Gardens as official ambassador of the charity.
Annelise lives in Manly with partner Nikita.
As a child she spent a lot of time on the Pittwater in boats with her sisters. Annelise pictured here with Isabella (right).
And Annelise has fond memories of frolicking at Freshwater with her childhood border collie, Charlie.
“It was such an honour to be asked to do that. And it was such a special day to be there,” Annelise reflects. “Olivia was focused not just on raising money for research, but also on improving the quality of life for cancer patients. So the walk was also raising money for wellness-based treatments at the Olivia Newton-John Wellness Centre that help cancer patients to thrive, like music therapy, yoga and meditation.
“And the fact that she’d been through that journey herself meant that she really knew what people wanted and needed. And it was especially amazing this year because it was one year on (from her passing) last year.
“I definitely think going into the musical now, I feel more connected to Olivia and more able to bring her to life on stage.
“Growing up she was someone who inspired me so much because I think she always went with grace. She got to where she was through hard work and through being a good person. And that’s something that I would love to do – work hard and be nice to people along the way.”
The Melbourne cast includes Patti Newton, whose beloved husband Bert starred in the last national Grease musical in 2013. “That’s especially important and special because Bert was in the last production. So she’s going to have so much to bring and I’m really excited to get some of her wisdom and learn from her.”
Annelise is currently in rehearsals, with photos on social media of the cast showing them hard at work – but also having dance-offs and laughing, just like the teenagers of Rydell High. She says there is ‘great chemistry’ between her and Joe Spanti, who plays Danny. “The first time we met, we just clicked instantly. He’s super nice and so fabulous to work with. Get ready to see some of that chemistry on stage!” she laughs.
As for the demands of rehearsals, and often performing twice a day, Annelise acknowledges it takes its toll.
“It is demanding, but it’s so very rewarding and it’s what I have wanted to do my entire life. So I’m willing to make sacrifices and I think it also helps me to be really healthy. The commitment and dedication you need to have towards looking after your body is something that I do value (as) it means that I look after myself. But yes, it is a lot of work. So come along and see the shows!”
Living in Manly and strolling to Shelly Beach with partner Nikita Khromykh is one way Annelise unwinds from her gruelling schedule. “We absolutely love it here. It’s like our dream location to live. It’s amazing.”
As for whether Sandy and Danny will drive through the clouds in a flying car at the end of Grease, as in the movie, Annelise is not giving away any secrets. “You’ll just have to wait and see!” she laughs.
