GREASE - The movie vs The stage

DeepPurple · Member

GREASE - The movie vs The stage

MrE1111 · Guru

The film actually has a cohesive story. The play has always been like a vaudeville - a series of vignettes that have the semblance of a plot, but not really a "story."

On stage, Danny and Rizzo have the most stage time - that's the reason in the 1994 revival those roles were stunt cast (especially Rizzo.) Sandy is the "romantic lead" but she, in the original stage version, has no solo except the "Sandra Dee" reprise. She's on stage in the first act for a total of about 25 minutes.

This production doesn't give Sandy more time in the first act - they've added "Hopelessly Devoted to You" for some bizarre reason in the second act, where she doesn't need it. The addition, in effect, creates a bigger plot hole, as she sings it juxtaposed with Danny and Chacha leaving the dance (in the original play, Danny storms out without Chacha). The Danny/Sandy scene immediately following is the drive-in sequence.

On stage, there are no roles for all the "celebrities" that cameoed in the movie - Sid Caesar, Eve Arden, Alice Beesley's roles were created for the film. On stage, it's Ms. Lynch, the old maid English teacher.

There's no car race (added for the movie) and there's no rival gang (just the mention of one). The T-Birds are a merry band of misfits on stage - they try to be tough but really aren't.

-- Edited by MrE1111 at 12:57, 2008-05-21

MrE1111 · Guru

The rotating celebrities in the last revival were what kept it open for 4 years. But it was a fantastic and fun production.

Rosie O'Donnell, Brooke Shields, Maureen McCormick, Lucy Lawless, Linda Blair, Chubby Checker, Mickey Dolenz, Joely Fisher, Debra Gibson, Jasmine Guy, Mimi Hines, Jennifer Holiday, Al Jerrau, Darlene Love, Mackenzie Philips, Joe Piscopo, Jon Secada, Cousin Brucie, JoAnne Worley, Adrian Zmed

MrE1111 · Guru

Rosie originated the role of Rizzo in the revival. Also in the cast were Megan Mullally as Marty and Marissa Jaret Winokur as Jan. Ricky Paull Goldin (anyone remember him!?) was Danny.

Lubiana · Member

Wow, so there really are a lot of differences! I've only seen one show of Grease in the Theatre, and though while I enjoyed it, I liked the movie better. The version I saw had a woman (I don't remember who) as the Teen Angel and Mickey Dolenz as a DJ. It wasn't bad. Mickey was funny. :)

DeepPurple · Member

Thank you MrE!!

Wow! There are alot of differences from the movie! So basically, I need to be expecting something completely different from the movie that I know so well. Will it be a shock to my system? LOL!

What about the music? I know some songs that were in the movie were from the original stage production way back when John Travolta played Doody (I think it was) and Jeff Conaway was Danny. But I know songs were also written for the movie. You said "Hoplessly" was added to this production. What other songs are different?

Those of you that are obviously lovers of the stage productions, what are your feelings about the movie?

Thanks again everyone!

Ray · Senior Member

Lubiana wrote:

.... The version I saw had a woman (I don't remember who) as the Teen Angel.....

Got me thinking about who might fill the void and create a stir after Taylor leaves, assuming the show continues. My imagination goes to strange places sometimes...does RuPaul sing?

Judy · Senior Member

Though I loved the movie,the stage production takes you to that time and place.There is just something about a live performance that stirs the passion so much more than sitting in a movie theater.It's as if you become a part of the play,I don't feel that while watching a movie !

MrE1111 · Guru

"Hopelessly Devoted to You" was added for this production. Songs called "Alone at the Drive-In Movie" and "All Choked Up" were replaced in this production by "Sandy (Stranded at the Drive-In)" and "You're the One that I Want." "Grease is the Word" was also added, to open this production.

The relationship between Roger and Jan (I don't think Roger was a character in the film - was it Putzie?) is developed more on stage - they're given a duet called "Mooning," (note the many double entendres). Marty has a number dedicated to her many suitors called "Freddy, My Love." Kenickie, not Danny, takes the lead in "Greased Lightnin'." Doody sings the best song in the show, called "Those Magic Changes."

You can easily tell the differences in the mixed scores - the music written for the show has a specific sound that parodies songs of the 50s - "Freddy" is a few notes away from "Eddie, My Love," recorded by the Teen Queens and the Fontanes. The songs written for the film were very 70s- especially "Grease is the Word," was written by the BeeGees and performed by Frankie Valli. "Hopeleslly" was written by John Ferrar of ELO - Olivia Newton-John's personal songwriter.

DeepPurple · Member

MrE...thank you for all the info on the stage show! I hope I get to come to NY and see it. I'm really intriqued now. wink

I have a paperback book that came out back in 1978 or 79....not long after the movie....and there are parts in it that are a bit different from the movie. It's fun to have the book along with all my Grease memorbilla. Yes, just movie memorbilla but I loved it. What can I say? aww

And I have always loved John and Olivia.

MrE.....do you work for or at the theater and with the production? Just wondered. smile

MrE1111 · Guru

I'm in no way affiliated with the production - if I were, I wouldn't be so open about my distaste (for it) and belief that it could have been so much better.

I've just worked on more productions of GREASE than I can count. Luckily, I enjoy the show. It's a guilty pleasure.

Nad · Senior Member

I saw the show once in Montreal in 1994 and Sandy only had 2 songs Sandra Dee and Since I dont have you... Sorry Mr E to correct you.

MrE1111 · Guru

"Since I Don't Have You" was a song not written for GREASE, but added to the 1994 revival as a kick in the butt to the rights holders of the film's songs. Tommy Tune, who produced the 1994 revival, was set to use the film's songs, but in the end wasn't allowed. He had the score reorchestrated so it was nothing like the film or the previous production.

Nad · Senior Member

Thank you for letting me know

DeepPurple · Member

Wow, there sure seems like there's been losta drama associated with the stage production over the years.