Apr. 23: Grease is the word

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…

Mar. 16: April’s lookin’ gooood

I don’t mean my BFF ♥April♥, who looks good-no-matter-what-why-do-I-even-like-her-anyway. I mean April, the month, is shaping up to be a busy and exciting month. Why, you ask? Let me count the ways.

1. The first thing, and I know that this is technically in March, but it’ll almost be April and will set the trend for all my entertaining activities: ♥Erin♥ and I are going to Heather Armstrong’s reading at Powells on March 30. Heather Armstrong is better known as Dooce, and is kind of the queen of all bloggers. She has just written a new book about her childbirth and postpartum depression experience, It Sucked and Then I Cried. I’m so looking forward to meeting her in person.
   
   
2. On April 9 we have another show in our Broadway in Portland series. This one is The Rat Pack Live at the Sands. Should be some great music.
   
   
3. My sister’s going to be in Oregon for a week mid-month, and we look forward to some quality time with her.
   
   
4. On April 19, ♥The Lovely Lori♥ and I are going to the Unwigged & Unplugged concert. If you haven’t heard about it, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer are appearing as themselves, performing music as their alter egos in This is Spinal Tap and as The Folksmen in A Mighty Wind.
   
   The Unplugged interview:
   
   
   
   One of the most memorable scenes from the movie This is Spinal Tap.
   
   
   
   One of my favorites of The Folksmen’s songs from A Mighty Wind:
   
   
   
   I’m crossing my fingers Harry Shearer will sneak in some of the voices he does on The Simpsons, just for kicks.
   
   I should add, too, that if you haven’t seen Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, or A Mighty Wind, see them! If you enjoy the humor of The Office (both British and U.S. versions) you’ll love these movies.
   
   
5. On April 23 we’ll go to the last of our regular Broadway in Portland shows: Grease, with Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel. When I first heard he was going to be in it, I assumed he’d be Danny Zuko and I thought NO WAY is he right for Danny. He seems right for Teen Angel, though. But better than Frankie Avalon? Hmmmm…
   
   
6. I’ll be meeting my mom for the David Sedaris show in Eugene on April 24. If you’re not yet familiar with David Sedaris’ books, watch this (and also, what is wrong with you?). Here’s a perfect example of his style and subjects of humor:
   
   
   

There are other small things going on here and there, but these are the biggies on my calendar in April. It’s the best kind of exhausting schedule, wouldn’t you agree?