Eddie Mekka, Alyssa Herrera, Matt Nolan, et al. Set for New Grease National Tour

Casting has been announced for the 2010-2011 national tour of the musical Grease, which will launch in Denver, CO at the Buell Theatre on October 12-17, 2010. David John O’Brien will direct, with choreography by Joyce Chittick.

Grease features book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. Additional songs from the 1978 film to be incorporated into the touring production — including “Sandy,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “Grease” and “You’re the One That I Want” — are by Barry Gibb, John Farrar, Louis St. Louis, and Scott Simon.

Eddie Mekka, perhaps best known as Carmine Ragusa from TV’s Laverne & Shirley, will headline the tour as DJ Vince Fontaine. The tour will star Alyssa Herrera as Sandy and Matt Nolan as Danny, along with 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.

The touring production features scenic design by Tony Award winner Derek McLane, costume design by Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz, and lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner.

Scheduled tour stops will also include Vancouver, BC (October 26-31), Calgary, AB (November 2-7), Edmonton, AB (November 9-14), Great Falls, MT (November 16), Bozeman, MT (November 17), Billings, MT (November 18), Rapid City, SD (November 19-20), and Casper, WY (November 21). Additional cities will be announced at a later date.