Tonight Erin and I went to see Grease, the last show of the 2008-09 Broadway in Portland season. Victor didn’t go because we didn’t have a sitter and he opted to stay home and let me take a friend in his place. He’s kind of a nice guy.
The big deal with this particular production was that Taylor Hicks played Teen Angel. When I first heard that he was on tour with Grease I don’t know why I assumed he would play Danny Zuko, and I was horrified at the idea! I’m not all that smart, I know.
For those of you who’ve seen the movie but not the stage show, Teen Angel is the character played by Frankie Avalon, and he sings Beauty School Dropout to Frenchy. More specifically, he sings at her—it’s really not a very nice song at all.
I thought Taylor Hicks played the part of Teen Angel well. There was a little bit too much hoopla over his appearance though, in a show in which he was the only “known.” He’s only in the one scene, and it’s in the second act, so by the time he finally finally finally comes out, the show pretty much stops.
One very funny moment: near the end of his song, Frenchy climbs on his lap, looks up into his eyes and dreamily says, “I voted for you!”
At the end of the song, as he ascends in the ice cream cone (don’t ask), he plays the harmonica—very “Taylor” touch, and fun. I think the only non-Taylor thing about his performance was his hairstyle (look at the photo above and tell me he doesn’t look 40 years older than he is).
After the curtain calls, he sang Grease is the Word with the cast. For the fans who came to the show just to see him, I’m sure this was a huge, sparkly treat.
Victor and I saw Grease on stage about 15 years ago, starring Sally Struthers as the principal, Adrian Zmed as Danny, Joe Piscopo as Vince Fontaine, and Sheena Easton as Rizzo. They were all very good in their roles—maybe D-list actors try harder??? Having only seen the movie version before that, we were surprised at some big differences in the stage version. But that’s how those things usually are, so, y’know, whatever. They were both big fun.
In tonight’s show, though, there was one huge difference I don’t remember from 15 years ago and it’s going to bother me until I figure out if I’ve just forgotten or it really was different. At the end, when Danny and Sandy both transform into what they think the other wants? Tonight Sandy did the makeover, but Danny didn’t. Is that right? I swear it wasn’t like that before, and of course, I know it’s not like that in the movie. Time for some research…
Can't believe I missed the opportunity to comment on this sooner, but I have long maintained that the central message to young women from "Grease" is that to achieve your dreams, you must a) abandon your morals b) start smoking and c) generally act slutty. In which case, Danny does not have to change. Yay for being a boy!
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