“Grease” is still the word.

It’s been the word in living rooms across America for over 25 years, and it will be the word in Stephens Auditorium tonight.

After playing for two sold-out shows when it stopped in Iowa in 1997, “Grease” has been booked again for one more round of “Greased Lightning.”

Shelly Tonderum, performing arts coordinator for Stephens, said when “Grease” was invited in October of 1997, only one show was expected. Because there was such a great demand for the show, a second was booked, and both sold out.

“It was such a great show that it left people wanting more,” Tonderum said.

But continuous performances of the same show haven’t stopped “Grease” lovers from attending every possible show. Actually, most fans have been addicted to the movie and the musical ever since they first laid ears on it.

Tonderum said the show’s popularity is mostly due to its incorporation of themes that everyone can relate to.

“Nostalgia is always a draw, and the ’50s were so fun, in such a clean way, that it appeals to everyone,” Tonderum said. “The fact that the story is about love and friendship, too, is universal. There isn’t a soul out there who can’t relate to high school romance or rivalry.”

Since the movie is more accessible than the show, many who have seen the movie assume John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John are the actors who originated the infamous characters of Danny and Sandy.

However, according to Tonderum, the movie actually came out six years after the musical had been playing on Broadway.

The musical premiered on Valentine’s Day in 1972 in New York’s Eden Theatre (off-Broadway), and finally opened on Broadway on Wednesday, June 7, 1972 at the Broadhurst Theatre.

“John Travolta was an understudy in the original Broadway production, and toured for three years as Doody,” Tonderum said. “Olivia Newton-John was not involved in any Broadway productions.”

As is the case with many musicals-turned-movies, there are a few things that distinguish the plot of the movie from that of the musical. The “Beauty School Dropout” scene in the movie is very slow and sweet, and in the musical it is done as a high-powered gospel number.

Also, there were a few new songs written for the movie version that are not in the musical, such as “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” “You’re the One That I Want,” “Sandy” and “Grease.” As a result, those scenes aren’t in the musical.

Though the “Grease” audience tonight won’t be experiencing some of these traditional “Grease” songs or scenes, the cast will make up for them by offering a few atmosphere elements that can’t be expressed through a television set.

“Live theater is so much more interactive than movies,” Tonderum said. “You actually feel as if you are part of the action.”

“Grease” will be performed at Stephens Auditorium tonight at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 for Iowa State students and can be bought at Ticketmaster locations.