The other Sandys and Dannys

Mrs N · Senior Member

The other Sandys and Dannys

Mrs N · Senior Member

I began watching NBC's Grease solely because of Kate. Though I don't know her personally, I'm part of Baldwin-Wallace College (where Kate earned her MT degree), and I'd enjoyed her performances in college and regional productions.

Not surprisingly my interest in Kate's career has continued beyond her leaving the show, and I'm pleased to report on a few opportunities that have come her way.

Currently she's rehearsing for the North Shore Music Theatre's upcoming presentation of Disney's High School Musical, which begins previews at the Beverly, Massachusetts, venue July 3. She's cast as Sharpay with her fraternal twin played by Andrew Keenan-Bolger, who is blogging on the NSMT site. Go to http://nsmtblog.blogspot.com/ to see more (including a video of Kate, AKB and a few others on their day off.)

On May 23 Kate performed as scandal-girl Jessica Hahn in Big Tent: The Tammy Faye Bakker Musical in its first public viewing in a fully staged concert at Off-Broadway's New World Stages.

It may be some time before I get to see Kate perform again; I applaud her talent nonetheless.

Laura4Broadway · Veteran Member

ooo wow thanks for the updates Mrs N. Kate was my second favorite choice for Sandy, so I like to follow her career also.

grannygreaser · Senior Member

Thanks for the update on Kate. She has an awesome voice and I'm glad to see she is getting work.

And thanks for starting a thread for the others. Everyone on the show was talented and I hope that many of them find jobs that help build their careers.

AZN Danny · Veteran Member

I wonder why the other eliminated Dannys and Sandys were not offered roles in the ensemble.

MaxFan555 · Newbie

Cause it wouldn't be fair to all the people that auditioned...since they'd only be using like 5 or 6 others. And we casted the Danny and Sandy. <3

Mrs N · Senior Member

From http://www.aidsrochester.org/events_walk.htm

AIDS Walk 2007 Honorary Chairperson Kevin Greene!

The native of Rochester is best known for his recent appearance as a finalist on NBC's "Grease: You're the One that I Want." While that remains his most public accomplishment, Kevin has been involved in music and theatre in the Rochester community since he was a young child. His father is the band director at Greece Olympia High school, and helped to instill the love of music in him. Numerous high and middle school productions later, he moved on to Ithaca College where he received his B.F.A in Musical theatre and made the trek to New York City to follow his dream. Following the success of "Grease" he returned to Rochester to give his family, friends and supporters a concert to thank them for all they have done for him over the years. All proceeds from that concert were donated to "Broadway Cares, Equity Fights AIDS". Kevin currently lives in New York City and is actively seeking his next big break.

"It is a tremendous honor to be a part of the AIDS Walk this year. Whenever people from the Rochester community ban together the results are tremendous, and I am sure this event will be no different."

I applaud Kevin for using whatever celebrity status he attained through G:YTOTIW to make a difference. Here's a link to photos of Kevin speaking and singing following the AIDS Walk --

http://www.rochesterinsider.com/apps/pbcs....Params=Itemnr=9

Photo: 8/11
Kevin sings to the crowd of walkers at the conclusion of the AIDS walk. He later announced that the event raised over $80,000 for AIDS Rochester.

Photo: 9/11
Kevin speaks at the conclusion of the AIDS walk in Highland Park on Saturday, June 9.

-- Edited by Mrs N at 02:33, 2007-06-27

Mrs N · Senior Member

Go to http://www.playbill.com/news/article/109340.html if you'd like to take a peek at Kate Rockwell as Sharpay in North Shore's production of High School Musical, which began previews at the Beverly, MA, venue July 3.

-- Edited by Mrs N at 01:43, 2007-07-06

Mrs N · Senior Member

Here's Theatre Mirror's review of Kate in North Shore's production of High School Musical...

Playing the scene stealing spoiled Evans twins, Sharpay and Ryan are Kate Rockwell and Andrew Keenan-Bolger. Dressed in bright pink Kate who recently appeared on NBC's "You're the One That I Want" shows off her comedic talents as this b*tchy girl who will do anything to get what she wants because she has always played the lead in every musical with her brother since they were in kindergarten. Andrew who recently graduated from the University of Michigan, has appeared on Broadway as Jo Jo in the original cast of "Seusical" and as Chip in "Beauty and the Beast". He is hilarious as the prancing and fawning brother who will do anything and everything that his sister wants him to do. Kate and Andrew's antics are wonderful to behold and they show off their voices in a rock version of the ballad "What I've Been Looking For" and also in "Bop to the Top" with the Brains and Jocks.

Mrs N · Senior Member

From http://www.newsobserver.com/308/story/643188.html

BRIEF: In the wings
Byline: Orla Swift The News & Observer, Raleigh, N.C.

Jul. 20--Derek Keeling wasn't the one who television voters wanted for the Broadway revival of "Grease!" scheduled to begin previews this week. But "The Lost Colony" in Manteo wanted him, and they hope you will, too.

Keeling was a finalist on "Grease: You're the One That I Want!" a reality TV show that earlier this year followed the casting process and allowed viewers to vote on their favorite Danny Zuko and Sandy Dumbrowski. Producers dubbed Keeling "Wholesome Danny," and he made it to the top three before Slacker Danny won the role over Hot Danny.

Tonight and Saturday only, Keeling will guest star as the courageous (and wholesome!) colonist John Borden in "The Lost Colony," which tells the tale of British settlers who came to North Carolina in 1587, decades before their more famous counterparts at Plymouth Rock, and then disappeared. Keeling, a West Virginia native, had understudied the Borden role as a "Lost Colony" choir member in 2001.

Unlike the disappearing colonists of yesteryear, Keeling will stick around after showtime to meet fans and sign autographs

-- Edited by Mrs N at 20:17, 2007-07-23

grannygreaser · Senior Member

Here's some info on Austin and Kate in the "Tully" production from Broadway World

Tully

and the Broadway.com coverage
Tully2

-- Edited by grannygreaser at 21:43, 2007-08-07

Hello799 · Senior Member

Speaking of the other Sandy's. While I was at the stage door awaiting autographs from Max and Laura, you'll never believe who was standing next to me. Yes it was my wife, but beside her, it was Alli. Wow, she looked great. You could tell that Max and Laura were excited to see her. She and I talked for awhile and she is doing great.

zeus55 · Veteran Member

Juliana Hnasen just returned to NYC from Sacramento, CA, where played Eponine in "Les Miserables". Friends who saw the show report that she was fabulous.

I see Kathleen and Frank Monteleone at church. She sings at church every Sunday and is doing fine. The Monteleones are two of the absolute nicest people one would ever want to know.

I saw Kate in "HSM" and she was very funny and bascially owned the stage each time she was on. We chatted briefly after the show. She is also very sweet and a great hugger!

gramps3 · Senior Member

Another auditioner, Kevin, is in the news. See:

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070808/NEWS05/708010393/1002/NEWS

Stan/gramps

Eris · Guru

Derek has just posted a blog saying he will be playing Charles Darnay in the new musical A Tale of Two Cities. The show has an out of town tryout in Sarasota, Florida before, hopefully, moving to Florida in spring of 2008.

Sounds like I need to go to the library

http://www.ataleof2cities.com/

-- Edited by Eris at 20:32, 2007-08-14

Mrs N · Senior Member

Derek Keeling, a handsome competitor from TV's "Grease: You're the One That I Want," will play French aristocrat Charles Darnay in the Broadway-aimed musical A Tale of Two Cities when it world premieres in Florida this fall.

A spokesperson for the 25-actor, $12 million show confirmed the casting, which was announced in an Aug. 14 blog entry attributed to the twentysomething actor who was known as "wholesome Danny" in the 2007 reality competition/audition series that sent two other actors (Max Crumm and Laura Osnes) to Broadway's new production of Grease. Keeling is a graduate of the University of Kentucky.

Composer-lyricist-librettist Jill Santoriello's adaptation of the 1859 Charles Dickens novel about lovers, family, friends and rebels in London and Paris during the French Revolution will bow at Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota, FL, Oct. 13-Nov. 18. There are two opening nights scheduled, Oct. 26-27.

Michael Donald Edwards, Asolo's producing artistic director, is the musical's director. Tony Award winner Tony Walton (Guys and Dolls, Grand Hotel, Pippin) is scenic designer. Warren Carlyle will choreograph.

No Broadway date has been announced, but spring 2008 is the target.

The musical has book, music and lyrics by Jill Santoriello, a commercial musical theatre newcomer whose day job for years has been in programming for Showtime Networks. She is an alumnus of The BMI-Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop.

Previews for the tryout of A Tale of Two Cities will begin Oct. 13 at the Asolo main stage, the Mertz Theatre (one of several venues Asolo Rep calls home). It runs to Nov. 18.

The show's Broadway producing team is made up of Barbra Russell & Ron Sharpe with Sharon A. Fordham, Theater Associates, LLC, Ed & Peggy Monagle in association with Vincent Russell and David Bryant.

The creative team includes David Zinn (costumes), Richard Pilbrow (lights) and Carl Casella and Domonic Sack (sound). Wendy Bobbit Cavett is musical supervisor. Musical direction is by Jerry Steichen, orchestrations are by Edward B. Kessel and Bob Krogstad.

Additional casting is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, www.asolo.org or www.talemusical.com.

*

The serious-minded pop epic in the tradition of Les Misérables was previously announced for an early 2006 commercial launch that never transpired (the producers blamed it on a breakup with another director).

Although A Tale of Two Cities is said to be Broadway-aimed, that goal is contingent on a number of factors good reviews and an available Broadway theatre, for starters.

Set during the French Revolution and bouncing between London and Paris, A Tale of Two Cities "is the recounting of one of the most electrifying love stories ever written told against the backdrop of one of the most terrifying eras in human history," according to the producers. "The musical's sweeping score embodies the emotional pyrotechnics that ceaselessly explode throughout the show's breathtaking two hours. This is an emotionally drenched evening that encompasses unconscionable conspiracies, life-threatening schemes, countless betrayals, secret designs, complete political upheaval, pre-meditated mass murder, mob violence, survival against inhuman odds, unconditional love, unrequited love, indescribable love, heroic courage, breathless bravery and human sacrifice."

The first 12 words of the 1859 novel are some of the best known in the English language: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times" And a certain guillotine scene offers this famous declaration: "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known."

The novel is required reading in many American schools. When Dr. Manette is released from the French Bastille after 17 years, he must be resurrected from the brink of madness by his daughter, Lucie. In England they meet the exiled French aristocrat, Charles Darnay, whom Lucie marries, and the drunken cynic, Sydney Carton. Family secrets and political intrigue combine to draw Lucie and her family back to Paris. At the height of the Reign of Terror, the musical finds an unlikely hero in Carton, inspired by love to make an extraordinary sacrifice.

Director Edwards' resume includes The Barber of Seville and Aida for the Metropolitan Opera, new productions of Un Ballo in Maschera and Carmen for Opera San Jose, and many resident opera, musical and play stagings around the country and in his native Australia (at The Australian Opera, among other companies).

In July 2006, the busy Edwards took over as producing artistic director of Asolo Repertory Theatre in Sarasota.

In its development, the musical A Tale of Two Cities was a finalist in the Eugene O'Neill Center Musical Theatre Workshop and was heard in a premiere symphonic concert in Indianapolis featuring a 40-piece orchestra and a 50-voice chorale (narrated by Richard Kiley).

A 23-track concept recording of the musical was released in 2002 and is currently available throughout the U.S. and Europe. The CD features 56 vocalists including Bryce Dallas Howard and such Broadway performers as Paul Castree, J. Mark McVey, Christiane Noll, Peter Samuel, Alex Santoriello, Tim Shew, Natalie Toro and Nick Wyman, as well as musicians from the Indianapolis Symphony and New Jersey Philharmonic Orchestra.

Santoriello calls the show a traditional book musical that is not all-sung it's not a pop opera. A casual listener of the concept recording will hear music and lyrics in the lush pop tradition of Les Miz, Jane Eyre, The Phantom of the Opera and The Scarlet Pimpernel.

Santoriello said she was captivated by the novel in her teen years. A fan of the Rodgers and Hammerstein tradition (and later of Stephen Sondheim), Santoriello said she thought years ago (when she was a high-schooler, in fact) that "A Tale of Two Cities" would make a great musical.

She wasn't alone. There have been countless international musical versions of the story over the past century, though none has become a widely-known commercial hit.

In 1987, Santoriello, who is a self-taught musician, used songs she wrote for a formative version of the show to audition and get into the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop. There was no script at that point. She didn't plan to be her own librettist, it just happened out of necessity, she said.

What about "A Tale of Two Cities" speaks most strongly to Santoriello?

"Love being stronger than hate," the writer previously told Playbill.com. "And how heroes come out of the strangest places."

From http://www.playbill.com/news/article/110335.html

Note that Derek's now described as handsome rather than wholesome!

-- Edited by Mrs N at 01:00, 2007-08-16

Eris · Guru

Chad will be dropping into the cast of Alter Boyz on September 3

http://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=20727

Maxismylove · Senior Member

I saw that this morning and posted it on Max's site too. We are so happy for Chad and look forward to seeing him the next time we are in town.

Zuko Fan · Member

Found This on Matt Nolan's Blog on Myspace, sooo happy for him too!!

For any fans in the Tenn. area I will be performing as Danny Zuko in the Roxy Regional Theatre's production of Grease to help celebrate their 25th Anniversary. The show will run from September 21st - October 6th, so come out and see the show!!! I am soo excited and can't wait; tickets are pretty cheap so just be there, k lol lataaaaaaaa peace.

PS: Very pumped for this Sunday night when I get to see my friends Max and Laura Opening Night on Broadway. Going to be fun and crazy.

Check out this link for ticket and theatre information, some nights are already selling out so get them fast!!!!!

http://www.roxyregionaltheatre.org/ - THEATRE WEB SITE

Article announcing the rest of the cast and show information:

http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/blogs/theatre101/

Mrs N · Senior Member

So Matt will be at M&L's opening night. Any other YTOTIW finalists going to be there?

Edwardian · Veteran Member

Just a thought, Mrs. N. It would be really classy if the producers have comped all of the finalists on YTOTIW to opening night tickets and invited them to the opening night party. I have no idea whether or not they have done this, so it's just a thought.

Ed

Eris · Guru

I know Austin was invited but other than that I have no idea.

gramps3 · Senior Member

Ashley, Chad and a bit about Austin.

http://steveonbroadway.blogspot.com/2007/08/starring-roles-whether-or-not-theyre.html

Stan/gramps

Eris · Guru

Ladies and gentlemen, it seems Kevin Greene is in the same production as Derek! Congratulations to him!

Full cast announcement!

-- Edited by Eris at 22:54, 2007-08-17

Mrs N · Senior Member

See Chad in "Altar Boyz" for $20....

Altar Boyz and Forbidden Broadway Among Shows Taking Part in "20at20"
By Andrew Gans
17 Aug 2007

From Sept. 4-16 a host of Off-Broadway shows will take part in "20at20," the bi-annual celebration of theatre.

During this period, seats that are still available 20 minutes before show time will cost only $20. Among the participating shows are Altar Boyz; The Awesome 80s Prom; Celia; The Fantasticks; Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening; The Gazillion Bubble Show; The JAP Show; The Misanthrope; My First Time; My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm in Therapy; Naked Boys Singing!; Neva Small: Not Quite an Ingenue; Perfect Crime; Stomp; Walmartopia; and Will Durst: The All-American Sport of Bipartisan Bashing.

Some theatres will accept cash only for the $20 ticket deal.

"20at20" was created by the Off-Broadway Brainstormers, an organization founded on the belief that "communication and collaboration amongst industry peers is critical for the success of the community."

From http://www.playbill.com/news/article/110384.html

Mrs N · Senior Member

More about Austin and Kate's roles in NYMF (excerpts from http://tullymusical.blogspot.com/2007/08/reflections-on-catullus-homer-and-roger.html)

...the (emphasis on the the) Austin Miller and the (repeat emphasis) Kate Rockwell will be appearing in the upcoming NYMF musical, Tully (In No Particular Order), as the notorious brother/sister power couple, Claude and Clodia Beautée....

Who are Claude and Clodia Beautée, you ask? Well, let me tell you. Clodia and Claude Beautée (thats a French bastardization of the word beauty) are the musical counterparts for the once reality celebrities of the ancient Roman republic, Clodius and Clodia Pulcher (Pulcher being the Latin word for beautiful). Part political heavyweights, part Hilton sisters, the incestuous Clodius and Clodia, drank, screwed, corrupted, and murdered their way into Roman infamy....

Mrs N · Senior Member

From http://www.playbill.com/news/article/110459.html

"The first-nighters included Grease alums from all levels of entry...plus a whole posse of "Grease: The Ones That I Didn't Want" exuding good will for Crumm and Osnes and not a hint of lynching them: Jason Celaya, Ashley Anderson, Ashley Spencer (a second-place "Sandy," now a first-class Amber in Broadway's Hairspray), Matt Nolan, Kevin Greene, Kathleen Monteleone, Chad Doreck, Juliana Hansen and Allie Schultz."

That's the way it should be-e-e...wah-oo!

NYC9758 · Veteran Member

If anybody is out on Long Island, Kathleen Monteleone is playing Pam in Urban Cowboy the Musical at the Gateway Playhouse in September. Nice to see they're all keeping busy after the TV show :)

Mrs N · Senior Member

'Urban Cowboy' -- "Its a line dancin, fine-romancin, heart-breakin, boot-scootin, raw-hidin, bull-ridin, good time." Good for Kathleen.

themusicman · Veteran Member

Pic of Derek when he was in Grease.

Mrs N · Senior Member

Chad Doreck, one of the Danny wannabes on "Grease: You're the One That I Want," joins the cast of Off-Broadway's Altar Boyz today, Sept. 3. Please report back anyone on the board who sees his performance!

grannygreaser · Senior Member

There is a photo of Ashley as Amber VonTussle from the Lance Bass photo op and also another photo with her on Broadway.com. I hadn't seen it posted, so sorry if it has been already.

-- Edited by grannygreaser at 18:26, 2007-09-04

Eris · Guru

Westchester Broadway Theatre Will Revive Yeston-Kopit Phantom With Ramey and Rockwell

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/110829.html

NYC9758 · Veteran Member

Mrs N wrote:

Chad Doreck, one of the Danny wannabes on "Grease: You're the One That I Want," joins the cast of Off-Broadway's Altar Boyz today, Sept. 3. Please report back anyone on the board who sees his performance!

My roommates and I just saw it this evening and had a blast. The show is fun, fast-paced, and clever. There's a lot of both physical comedy and humor in the song lyrics. Chad did a superb job as Matthew, the earnest member of the boy band. He had fantastic vocals - I remember him having a pretty nice voice on the reality show, but wasn't a fan of it when he tried to "rock out" and ended up getting a little too guttural with his voice - but that was not a problem in this show at all. He fits in with the rest of the cast seamlessly, and is a fine actor (though admittedly, all he has to do is come across as earnest to play Matthew well. He does have good comic timing, and great stage presence though. And according to my female roommate, he's very good looking too haha) There's obviously a lot of dancing in this show, and it definitely is a heavy-duty 90 minute aerobic work out, but they all seemed to be having a blast doing it, and the audience loved them. Ryan Ratliff really hammed up the part of Mark and was probably the funniest on-stage. I highly recommend the show, and anyone who is in the city now should really take advantage of the $20 deal (I think it runs for one more week, but get there early as there is a line at New World Stages).

Maxismylove · Senior Member

What does the price go up to after the $20 shows are over? I am coming out on the 15th and wanted to see it and wanted to know what to expect price wise.
I am glad that he did well

azmaxfan · Member

Has anyone seen Ashley Spencer in Hairspray?

Eris · Guru

Maxismylove wrote:

What does the price go up to after the $20 shows are over? I am coming out on the 15th and wanted to see it and wanted to know what to expect price wise.
I am glad that he did well

At http://www.broadwaybox.com they're selling tickets for $59.99 and it says that regular price is $79.99.

MaxFan · Veteran Member

Maxismylove wrote:

What does the price go up to after the $20 shows are over? I am coming out on the 15th and wanted to see it and wanted to know what to expect price wise.
I am glad that he did well

We looked at going to Altar Boyz this summer, before Chad was added. You can actually get good seats on the front side of the orchestra for just $25. It is a great deal, but you can't get that price on Saturday evenings. Here are the regular priced options from http://www.telecharge.com/.

Orchestra: $79.99
Orchestra (Side O-P): $59.99
Orchestra (Front Side): $25.00

Saturday Evenings:
All seats: $79.99

It is a fun show and I am sure Chad is awesome. We are hoping to see it on our next trip.

Mrs N · Senior Member

Cleveland-area Kate fans, you can see her perform at the Rising Star Talent Competition at Playhouse Square in its final round at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15. Admission is free.

Maxismylove · Senior Member

I guess I am trying to find out how long the 20.00 tickets are available with regards to a date. does anyone know?

We saw Ashley in Hairspray and she was absolutely lovely. The entire cast was great and I would so love to have seen Austin in the role of Link when he played it. I bet he was great.

NYC9758 · Veteran Member

Rachel, the 20 at 20 promotion runs til September 16th - line up around a little less than an hour before the show and you'll be sure to get $20 tickets. If you're here for Broadway on Broadway, you can finish up your day of musicals right down the street! The New World Stages box office is on 50th Street between 8th and 9th avenue. Enjoy!

Mrs N · Senior Member

Juliana will play Bunny....

From http://www.playbill.com/news/article/110877.html

I See London, I See France Sells Out NYMF Run; Additional Performances Added
By Adam Hetrick
07 Sep 2007

The ticket frenzy around the ever-popular New York Musical Theatre Festival has already sold-out one show and initiated others to schedule additional performances.

Within 72 hours of the Sept. 1 release of single ticket sales to the general public, I See London, I See France sold out all six of the originally scheduled performances for the NYMF run. An additional 4:30 PM performance on Sept. 28 at the TBG Theater has been added for those unable to previously obtain tickets.

Eris · Guru

Interview with Austin, Kate, and the dude playing Tully

http://www.broadwayworld.com/l.cfm?id=178820

-- Edited by Eris at 04:21, 2007-09-13

Mrs N · Senior Member

Eris wrote:

Interview with Austin, Kate, and the dude playing Tully

http://www.broadwayworld.com/l.cfm?id=178820

-- Edited by Eris at 04:21, 2007-09-13

Eris, help! Is this the sort of link those of us over 50 need a tutorial to enjoy?

Edit: Not to worry...this old dog learned a new trick.

-- Edited by Mrs N at 17:35, 2007-09-13

grannygreaser · Senior Member

Print interview with Ashley Spencer on "Hairspray." This is on Am New York.

Eris · Guru

Holy Mother of God!!!

If Derek's pictures look anything like these I may have to die.

greatwhiteway · Senior Member

Oh gosh....is that what the kids are going for these days? I am getting old!

Eris · Guru

SQUEEEE!!!!

-- Edited by Eris at 02:41, 2007-09-15

greatwhiteway · Senior Member

I must admit, DereK does look good there...if a little young.

highonlife6 · Member

this is a bit random, but pertains to austin-
two years ago i saw Cats when it was on its national tour (or at least i think it was on its national tour) and i really liked it. fast forward 2 years later and i find my playbill and who is pictured as the Rum Tum Tugger?....AUSTIN MILLER! i nearly exploded with excitement, just because it was such a coincidence. it was an amazing moment. and from what i remember from the show, he was very very good.