Started at the Fringe, Now We're Here

With pursuits in almost every artistic discipline, Crystle Lightning and Henry Andrade (aka RedCloud) are effervescent multi-talents whose creative energy is contagious.

As life partners and co-Creators of Bear Grease – the all-Indigenous retelling of the renowned rock’n’roll musical inspired by the working-class youth subculture of the 1950s – Crystle and Cloud knew they were onto something. They just needed someone to believe in the idea as much as they did. Enter Fringe Theatre.

“We had this musical, the Indigenous version of Grease, in our back pocket and we wanted to give it a shot. Fringe said: bring it on! So, we kicked it into first gear. We cast it. We choreographed it. We just kind of flew by the seat of our pants,” says Crystle.

What started as a 32-minute back pocket idea as part of the pêhonân Series in the 2021 Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival grew into a big dream with even bigger potential.

“That first run sold out in record time. We were freaking out. It was a very good problem to have!” continues Cloud. “We’re so grateful to Fringe for opening up the space, giving us an opportunity as Indigenous creators to put something out there like this. Bear Grease was born here. It thrived because of Fringe.”

“We’re forever eternally grateful to Fringe for that one opportunity. Because it’s blossomed into something. And that something became life changing really quickly.”

Edmonton Fringe is where first inklings become brilliant realizations. When you give to Fringe Theatre, you propel the careers of Artists like Crystle and Cloud. Theatre like Bear Grease can’t exist without your support.

Hot off its sold-out Festival run in 2021, Bear Grease went on to entertain packed houses across North America.

“After Fringe, we sold out the Garneau Theatre four times,” recalls Cloud.

“And then communities started reaching out because they wanted to see the representation and celebrate the youth involved in the production,” says Crystle. “Then theatres and casinos started calling. We built this tour and got everybody on the road. We made our way down to New Mexico, California, Oregon, Washington, Florida, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota. To create something like this as partners from the ground up and watch it grow and evolve and be a part of so many artists’ journeys is truly amazing. We’ve performed the show 192 times!” exclaims Crystle.

Following the first leg of their tour, Crystle and Cloud brought Bear Grease back to the Westbury Theatre at the Fringe Theatre Arts Barns for a special Christmas rendition of the production.

“I have to tell you, that weekend of shows at the Westbury Theatre was an amazing experience,” recollects Crystle. “We sold out matinees and evening shows, and on the night of that last show, the theatre was overflowing. We said to each other: ‘look at this this. Look at this! They’re all here to see little old us!’ It fills your soul to see people respond that way.”

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From Festival stage to sold out holiday show, Bear Grease will make its regional stage debut at the Citadel Theatre this coming fall. After that? Off Broadway, baby.

“We’ve grown the show from 32 minutes to a full 80-minute production – with an intermission!” laughs Cloud. “After that, Bear Grease will be making it’s Off Broadway debut at Playhouse 46 at St. Luke’s Theatre in New York City this time next year!” he announces. “It’s a bucket list moment. It’s a dream. Bear Grease on the same block as Hamilton and The Wiz and Water for Elephants. That’s all because of Fringe! Edmonton is the Fringe. Edmonton is a place for theatre, a place for the performing arts.”

When you give to Fringe Theatre, you empower Artists. You propel their careers to the next stage. You invest in a future where creativity thrives, and stories are celebrated. Now more than ever, your investment is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling.

“Fringe has to thrive here, it has to survive here,” says Cloud.

“Everybody should consider giving to the arts,” urges Crystle. “Supporting organizations like Fringe goes a long way toward ensuring artists like us, shows like Bear Grease, have a shot. Because of Fringe’s support, we got to try something out to see if it works. And oh my gosh, it works. That’s why we’re forever grateful,” she continues.

“We’re so supportive of Fringe, for what it stands for, for the platform it provides. Everybody needs art. There’s education through art. Expression. Heart and soul. Storytelling has the potential to create change. To raise awareness,” shares Crystle.

“Storytelling is everything to us. As Indigenous peoples, our traditions are told through story. Every lesson, myth, creation story. We learn that way. We’re natural storytellers. It’s important to keep that true. To continue sharing stories now, to carry our voices into rooms, to tell tales like we have for thousands and thousands of years – it’s absolutely important,” says Cloud.

“It’s also medicine. There’s healing through laughter, joy, even sadness,” says Crystle. “There’s something magical about being on the stage.”

Crystle Lightning (she/her) is an actor, performer, and entertainer from the Enoch Cree Nation. Henry Andrade, aka RedCloud (he/him), is Wixárika from Los Angeles, California, and a writer, content creator, illustrator, and animator. Catch Bear Grease at the Citadel Theatre, October 17 – 27, 2024.