As a youngster, Jason Kerrison was hopelessly devoted to the music of Grease.
"Me and my sister used to sit there and watch it religiously every Sunday morning.
"I'm a massive fan of the movie. We knew all the songs, word for word.
"It's very catchy. They're great songs.''
So, it makes sense that DKCM Ltd and Taieri Musical have announced the multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, frontman of New Zealand band OpShop, and former judge on New Zealand's Got Talent, as the surprise celebrity to make a cameo appearance in Dunedin's production of Grease: The Arena Spectacular.
Kerrison said he had performed in many musical productions growing up, but Grease was one of his favourites and one he had not yet ticked off on his CV.
"I was always wanting to play a part in Grease but I'm not really the right vintage to be classed as any of the T-Birds or Danny.
"I'm quite happy to go in as the wise old character in a supporting role.''
He will play the cameo roles of Teen Angel and Johnny Casino in the Dunedin production on July 21 and 22.
His role as Teen Angel includes the ironic comedy song Beauty School Dropout, and as Johnny Casino he will sing Rock'n'Roll Party Queen, Rock'n'Roll is Here to Stay, Those Magic Changes, Tears on My Pillow, Hound Dog, Born to Hand Jive and Blue Moon.
For his roles, he hoped he would have his hair slicked back and be dressed in garish suits following the fashion of the day, but admitted he was at the mercy of the show's wardrobe team.
"They'll tell me what I'll be wearing, I guess.
"I'm pretty sure something like that is going to happen though, for sure.''
Kerrison said he took the roles because he liked the idea of "just being a working musician - a chameleon, doing whatever titillates the senses at any given time''.
"Mostly for me, this is a nostalgia thing. It takes me back to my childhood.''
Alongside his performances in Grease, the APRA Silver Scroll Song Writing Award winner will continue to write and record music for a catalogue of EPs, and he regularly performs with new band The Babysitters Circus.
