'Encore' Episode 4: Castmates rehearse a 5-minute-long kiss on stage while the rest giggle like high school kids
Hosted by Disney+ and co-created by Kristen Bell, 'Encore' sure is a breath of fresh air. Even though it doesn't miss out on regular reality TV tropes, the fourth episode leaves viewers with emotions of hope, reunion, togetherness, and teamwork.
In the latest episode, we witness a group of former Hackensack High School-ers (New Jersey) get together to reprise their roles from 1990 high school musical, which was inspired by 'Grease'.
What's interesting to note is how excited, nervous and anxious they all are to meet their old schoolmates. They are all equally surprised and happy to meet one another.
The only problem they had was the change in appearance in everyone — some put on weight, others grew taller, one had no hair, etc. In a nutshell, they couldn't believe they were all under one roof recreating memories from almost three decades ago.
As the original cast went on to try their colorful costumes for the musical, they were consumed by child-like energy. Everyone was thrilled, happy, excited and ready to forget what awaits them outside the campus.
Erin ( who plays Patty Simcox) shares her story, how she has been battling symptoms of Lymphoma and yet she was at the school all-set to perform. She was ecstatic. But, her joy was cut short by an episode of a mild seizure following which she exited and later got an anti-seizure shot to keep things in check.
Her sudden exit left everyone worried and they decided they will take good care of her. Cut to the next morning, when the ladies arrived with breakfast and hot cups of coffee over which Erin shared that she was done with brain surgeries and is only focussing on getting herself treated using just medicines and prescribed shots.
Meanwhile, AJ's (who plays Kenickie) wife was a tad thrown off upon learning that her husband shared a five-minute kiss with a schoolmate in the play. It turned out to be quite a funny situation, in which AJ had to explain himself.
Anyhow, the rehearsals began but not without its glitches. The cast was catching up after years and naturally, they had a lot to share, which led to them chatting non-stop and not practicing enough.
Interrupting the gossip, Anton (who plays Roger) requested that they look into each of their lines and rehearse them well. Everyone obliged.
Later came the highlight of the episode, where the rest of the cast sat in the auditorium and giggled like high school kids as AJ and Tina (who plays Rizzo) prepare themselves for a makeout scene.
Some even had their phones out and couldn't control their excitement. But, amid all the fun they did learn their lines well and were extremely dedicated to performing 'Grease'.
On the final day, the cast pulled off a beautiful show as their family members watched, cheered, and clapped for them. Directed by Coy Middlebrook, choreographed by Peggy Hickey, and music composed by Jared Stein, this fresh adaptation of 'Grease' was just as lively and fun as it was the first time.