Eddie Mekka to Hand Jive in Grease National Tour

Rydell High is welcoming a new class for Grease's 2010-2011 national tour, led by Tony nominee Eddie Mekka as TV DJ Vince Fontaine. Matt Nolan, who was a finalist on Grease: You're The One That I Want, the TV series that cast the 2007 Broadway revival, will star as Danny opposite Alyssa Herrera as Sandy. The tour kicks off October 12-17 in Denver, CO, at the Buell Theatre. The tour is directed by David John O'Brien and choreographed by Joyce Chittick.

Mekka is best known for his role as Carmine Ragusa on TV's Laverne and Shirley. He received a 1975 Tony nomination for the rock opera The Lieutenant and appeared on Broadway in Jumpers and The Magic Show. His many film credits include Beaches, A League of Their Own and Dear God. Nolan recently toured with Hairspray, and Herrera's stage credits include High School Musical and Little Women.

The tour also features Patrick Cragin as Kenickie, Audrey Filson as Patty Simcox, Kelly Teal Goyette as Miss Lynch, Patrick Joyce as Sonny, Alicia Kelly as Marty, Brad Lawson as Roger, Ashley Rubin as Frenchy, Lauren Elaine Taylor as Rizzo, Lauren Turner as Jan and Marc Winski as Doody.

Grease, the popular musical following teenagers in love during the soda shop culture of the 1950s, opened on Broadway in June 1972 and closed in 1980 after playing 3,388 performances. Kathleen Marshall's most recent Broadway revival which opened in August 2007, ran for 554 performances and received a Tony nomination for Best Revival of a Musical.

Tour dates have been set through November 21 with stops in Vancouver, BC; Calgary, AB; Ednomton, AB; Great Falls, Bozeman and Billings, MT; Rapid City, SD; Casper WY.