"GREASE" Review of The Broadway Hit
Posted: Sunday, March 01, 2009
by Gary W. Halsey Sr.
All Season Karaoke and D.J.
After attending the production of "GREASE" last night, it is this writers opinion, that this production of Grease was without a doubt casted with a very high energy cast that portrayed and influenced the good old year of 1959, and the Rydell High School tradition of comedy and mayhem. Danny Zuko (played by Eric Schneider) and Sandy Dumbrowski (played by Emily Padgett) were perfect for the love/hate relationship that was portrayed in the original movie of Grease. From the very beginning of this production, it held this writers attention, starting off with a DJ called Vince Fontaine, (played by Dominic Fortuna) who did an outstanding job of warming up the audience and getting the crowd involved in the production before it even started.
No matter what Broadway Production you see, may it be "Cats", "West Side Story", or "Grease", and the up-coming "Mama Mia", audience participation will make the already high energy productions an instant success. Good move Mr. "Fontaine"!! The "GREASE" production was well done, although limited, like any other production to what they could do on stage vs what they can do in a movie. All in all, the directors of this theater production (Kathleen Marshall and Asst. Director David John O' Brien) performed an outstanding job, in this condensed version, but full of action packed musical production. Bravo to them both.
This production also featured "Mr. Taylor Hicks" (American Idol Winner) who performed "Beauty School Drop-Out" and added his own little twist to the song by doing some of his great harmonica playing, (of course with a lot of soul)! This was by far, one of the best scenes in this production, Mr. Hicks was encased inside of a huge Ice Cream Cone outside the front of a malt shop, and the cone opens up into this huge satin lined shrine that floated effortlessly from the "sky", while he was singing the song. They had the girls there with their hair in a blow dryers, dancing like they did in the movie, and it was the best! Standing ovations are in order.
Recommendation: I would rate this production, from 1-5, 5 being the best, as a definite 5! This is a "Must See" production in this writers opinion, and is great entertainment for that night out on the town, (However I would use discretion bringing children, due to some adult language, and adult content), but this is great for the adults, and will be talked about for months to come. I am glad that they brought this production to the city of Tucson Arizona, and I am now looking forward with high hopes for "Mama Mia". Stay tuned.
This Article has been viewed 1,231 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Hi Gary, Excellent review. You left me jealous. I love musical theatre! My absolute favorite is Joseph and the Amazing Technocolor Dreamcoat! Thanks for sharing. Signed, your jealous friend and fan, TeresaTeresa, I loved this production, and usually I never comment on them only because I do not look at myself as a critic, although I was, am, and still in show biz. I hope you get a chance to see it, Taylor Hicks was wonderful, and at the very end, he sang a solo song from his new hit album, and what a treat that was...I am glad I made you jealous....(hee...hee...hee...) but maybe that will make you see it...its well worth it.....thanks for reading my article and commenting on it.....your fan, and friend in pen, Gary.I didn't know you were in show-biz, do tell! I was involved in Drama all through my 12 years of school, I was even an honor Thespian. Got to hang out in Hollywood and at paramount studios with some of my friends who were in the biz, I opted for marriage instead. I don't regret the marriage, but I do regret giving up theartre. I keep saying one of these days I am going to audition for a local show...but there is never enough time. Someday, Lord willing.I def want to see it when it comes my way. The last show I was able to make it to was "Fame". P.S. Now I am really jealous. :-)
I'd love to see this production of "Grease" with Taylor Hicks. I think he's a very unique person. I remember watching him on "American Idol" and how Simon told him he wouldn't go far. Well, he certainly showed Simon, didn't he?I love "Grease"; it's a great show. Our high school in Okotoks, Alberta, Canada is called "The Alberta High School Of Fine Arts". Every March, they do a Broadway production, and they first started these productions in 1992. "Grease" was the very first production and my wife and I became involved with them right from the start. My wife was in charge of the Director's Reception and I was the head usher. The productions became so professional, that they were able to obtain around $70,000 (seventy thousand dollars) in corporate donations each year. We were involved for ten years (my daughter, Tanna, played the role of "Lola" in "Damn Yankees" and other smaller parts in other productions.I love the theatre; a couple years ago my wife and I went to New York to see some Broadway shows. That was an incredible experience for me.Thanks for this article. As you can see, the theatre is in my blood.Ah yes David, I can see theater is in your blood, as well as mine, I have a great set of pictures that I have of some of the movies I have been in, I have a myspace site that I have posted slide shows in, and my profile picture is of myself, and Gary Busey , you can find it under my name, or Gary, or Gary Halsey if you want to see the pictures....It's my passion...theater, as well as writing. I really appreciate yor comments, and you are a great fan, and now it is time for me to go read one of my favoite authors, YOU!!! Your pal, and friend in pen......Gary.
Hey Gary! I enjoyed this piece because your writing style is so passionate and real. But, to be honest, I wouldn't walk across the street to see a musical. The only time I ever watch one is on tv and then I mute the sound and make up my own dialogue. WRITE ON, DUDE!!!!I like musicals only because I am in show biz, I love to watch other performers perform, and there is allot of talent out there with these youngsters, and I am all for supporting the arts, and it's good to see it is going strong, but you are right, you have to like them before you go to them. Thanks for the comments, and reading the review.....always like hearing from you, you pal, and fan, and fried in pen......Gary
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.