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Richard Wenzel stared at his computer screen last spring, unable to comprehend the email he had just received. It did not make sense. Patti D’Beck, a professor in the VCU School of the Arts’ Department of Theater, wanted to know if Wenzel would be interested in playing a role in an upcoming Theatre VCU production of “Grease,” the crowd-pleasing musical about teenagers in love.

Wenzel is an epidemiologist and a professor in the Department of Internal Medicine in the VCU School of Medicine. He’s produced groundbreaking research, written widely read books and appeared in the national media to explain a range of topics related to infectious diseases. But the last time he’d acted was in high school.

Fast-forward a few months and Wenzel is enjoying a prominent turn as Vince Fontaine, a hip radio DJ, before packed houses at the Hodges Theater in Theatre VCU’s run of “Grease,” which appears through Nov. 20.

Wenzel’s role is no small one. He’s the first character the audience sees, and his performance during the pre-show period before the play formally starts amounts to 20 to 25 minutes of wide-open fun. He spins records, plays catchy songs from the era and ad-libs with audience members, some of whom he welcomes up front to dance and sing with him. He’s the audience’s introduction to the show, setting up the mood and the atmosphere for the entire production, and he’s thriving in the role.

“He was fabulous from the start on opening night,” D’Beck said. “He owned the show right away.”

Wenzel said participating in “Grease” has been an eye-opening experience, exposing him to the hard work and intense attention to detail that putting together a smart theater production requires. He said Theatre VCU is filled with talented student performers, who have proved patient and helpful to a stage rookie.

“It’s a very rigorous procedure,” Wenzel said. “The rehearsals have been long and demanding, and I’ve gained a lot of insight into what makes this program so great. There’s some amazing talent here.”

D’Beck said she and David Leong, director of Theatre VCU, thought of Wenzel for the role because of his stature in the community and because they knew he had shown talents as an entertainer in a local “Dancing with the Stars”-style competition for charity. Also, “we really liked the idea of collaborating with the MCV campus,” D’Beck said.

It’s a credit to Wenzel that it has worked, she said.

“Here we have this world-renowned doctor of infectious diseases who is willing to do this – to take this huge risk,” D’beck said. “It’s great.”

D’Beck is a veteran of Broadway, having worked on a number of productions there. Among her jobs was serving as an assistant director on a 1990s production of “Grease” that proved to be the longest-ever revival of the play and featured such stars as Brooke Shields and Rosie O’Donnell along the way.

She said the skill and diligence of the cast and crew for “Grease” – both students and pros – has ensured that the production provides some thrills. In particular, she noted her collaborators Kelley Schoger, assistant director and a graduate student; Penny Ayn Maas, associate choreographer; Clayton Winters, assistant choreographer; Leilani Giles, musical director; and Marie Boyette, fight choreographer.

“I feel like when I work on a show here I’m still in New York because the professionalism is so high,” D’beck said.

“Grease” follows the story of two summer lovebirds – Sandy, the cute, nerdy new girl, and Danny, the cool, greaser king – in Rydell High School’s senior class of 1959. The musical is most famous for its collection of popular numbers, such as “Summer Nights,” “Burger Palace Boys,” “Pink Ladies,” “Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” “Greased Lightnin’” and “You’re the One that I Want.”

The production boasts music, dancing, comedy and high energy and has inspired strong ticket sales and standing ovations.

Wenzel said he’s glad he responded to that email in the spring.

“I’m lucky to be a part of it,” Wenzel said.

Upcoming performances include Nov. 10-12, 17 and 19 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 13 and 20 at 3 p.m. For tickets, call the Theatre VCU Box Office at (804) 828-6026, email theatretix@vcu.edu or visit vcutheatre.showclix.com.

For more information, visit the Theatre VCU website at http://www.vcu.edu/arts/theatre/dept/.