GREASE REVIEW at Atkinson Theater

G Man · Member

GREASE REVIEW at Atkinson Theater

Eris · Guru

Technically, their roles have not been diminished. The show is practically the same as it was when it first opened on Broadway in 1972. When the rights to the 1978 film were bought execs felt an ensemble show wasn't "filmable" and wanted something with "stars". So the show was revamped into what was eventually released in movie theatres. The only major differences between the current Broadway production and the 1972 original are the addition of the songs Grease, Hopelessly Devoted to You, Sandy, and You're the One That I Want. Those songs were written specifically for the film and do not appear in any, prior, Broadway productions.

Nad · Senior Member

I wish they kept the song All chocked up... it seems more appropriate for theater... and since Max and Derek are really expressive it would have been fun....

DogsandBirds · Guru

G Man wrote:
I hope the critiques' come back and re-evaluate this show now so that it gets the rating it deserves.

I highly doubt the critics will come back and in any case, what would it prove? The New York press (newspapers, tv, etc) were against the reality show casting leads in a Broadway show. They didn't like almost anything about it, although some other critics were kinder.

BTW, Ashley and Derek started 7/24 so it was less than week and they were still getting their sea legs I am sure.

Grease has done well because it is Grease. It is a show people know, although they think it is more like the movie, which is incorrect. Glad you enjoyed the performance!

-- Edited by DogsandBirds at 23:16, 2008-08-03

G Man · Member

Hi Eris,

OK, I can understand what you are saying but this is supposed to be a new GREASE revival, why not make it more like the film or even update it a bit. I think they (producers and directors) need to do something to generate new interest. Not to many people are going to remember the old GREASE Broadway show and really not to many are going to remember the movie either. Don't get me wrong, it's a good show as I said, it's just more people that are going to see the show now may be more in tune with the movie version.

I forgot to mention in my orginal thread that I thought Taylor Hicks is a good addition to generate interest in the show. This performance he really made a nice contribution. Also Baby Sandy from NBC (Allie Schulz) has been added. I met her in LA at the NBC GREASE final show and thought she was really a sweet kid. I also enjoyed her perfromances on that show.

Ashley gained a lot of exerience on Hairspray and I saw her performance last summer which she did great in as Amber, the people at Hairspray really like her I understand. Derek did tours that I was not aware of but I saw him in the Tale of Two Cities in Sarasota and thought he did a great job there also.

G Man · Member

Yes that would have been good.

I think the scene at the beach where Sandy and Danny first met could have been incorporated upfront, that would have added more meaning to the show as well.

G Man · Member

I know what you mean but if the producers of this show don't want it to tank I think now is the time to try to generate new interest. They have brought on new talent and have an new opportunity to generate new interest. I know that people will come simply because it is GREASE and they remember something about it out of the past and especially the movie. That won't continue forever. So why not bring in new stuff for this show to update it somewhat, see my response to Eris.

If the critics make a redo of the show and it is favorable maybe that will change the recommendations of Broadway.com and others to make the show recommended viewing. I would like to see the show continue like some of the biggies that have lasted on Broadway.

I meant that they had less then two weeks in total as Ashley and Derek were doing rehersals a week before they opened on 7/22. It was not easy as the cast were perfroming and these two had to squeeze in what they could before they opened. Ashley had to perform on Hairspray while she was doing this which really had to be a tough job. Anyway I am sure that the two of them will only get better as they gain confidence through each perfomance.

Eris · Guru

The scene of Sandy and Danny at the beach originally opened this production but was cut from the show after Max and Laura left.

This a revival of the Broadway show - not the movie. Productions of Grease are playing everyday throughout the country. Regional theatres, high schools, middle schools, etc. They're all performing versions of the original Broadway production - not the film. So there are many, many people who know the stage version.

IMO to update the stage version to fit with the film would be a disservice to audiences. They're being opened to something familiar and yet new. Why take that away from them by making the show closer to the movie?

This production is already changed from the much raunchier original Broadway version. To change it any more than it already has been would remove it rather dramatically from the original concept. A concept that has been strong enough to survive this long.

DogsandBirds · Guru

G Man wrote:

I know what you mean but if the producers of this show don't want it to tank I think now is the time to try to generate new interest. They have brought on new talent and have an new opportunity to generate new interest. I know that people will come simply because it is GREASE and they remember something about it out of the past and especially the movie. That won't continue forever. So why not bring in new stuff for this show to update it somewhat, see my response to Eris.

If the critics make a redo of the show and it is favorable maybe that will change the recommendations of Broadway.com and others to make the show recommended viewing. I would like to see the show continue like some of the biggies that have lasted on Broadway.

I meant that they had less then two weeks in total as Ashley and Derek were doing rehersals a week before they opened on 7/22. It was not easy as the cast were perfroming and these two had to squeeze in what they could before they opened. Ashley had to perform on Hairspray while she was doing this which really had to be a tough job. Anyway I am sure that the two of them will only get better as they gain confidence through each perfomance.

Yes, Ashley and Derek had about two weeks, alhough not every day, of rehearsals and then one "put in" rehearsal with the entire cast. Not easy for anyone!

Grease will not tank! If it were up to the critics, it would have. What if the critics come and they hate it? Then what? No, we are doing fine. Plenty of publicity has been around the arrival anyone who has come into the show.

Grease sells because tourists know the show either from seeing it locally or from the movie. When they want to put their hard earned dollars down, they want to see something they feel they will enjoy. People come because the want to see Taylor or Derek or Ashley or just because lots of people like Grease!

Kristen · Guru

I think that "Grease" will continue to do well too! I can't wait to see the show in September!!!! I think that bringing Ashley and Derek in was a wonderful decision--their fans are so excited and want to see them in the show! I am so excited to get to see them perform! :)

BBS420 · Guru

Kristen wrote:
I think that "Grease" will continue to do well too! I can't wait to see the show in September!!!! I think that bringing Ashley and Derek in was a wonderful decision--their fans are so excited and want to see them in the show! I am so excited to get to see them perform! :)

I agree, it was very smart. a whole new group of grease fans will be seeing it now.

Shadi Ladi · Guru

Eris wrote:

The scene of Sandy and Danny at the beach originally opened this production but was cut from the show after Max and Laura left.

This a revival of the Broadway show - not the movie. Productions of Grease are playing everyday throughout the country. Regional theatres, high schools, middle schools, etc. They're all performing versions of the original Broadway production - not the film. So there are many, many people who know the stage version.

IMO to update the stage version to fit with the film would be a disservice to audiences. They're being opened to something familiar and yet new. Why take that away from them by making the show closer to the movie?

This production is already changed from the much raunchier original Broadway version. To change it any more than it already has been would remove it rather dramatically from the original concept. A concept that has been strong enough to survive this long.

I had never seen the original Broadway Show, just the movie. I have heard that one of the reasons the critics didn't like this revival was because it was too SANITIZED! So go figure!

Shadi Ladi · Guru

DogsandBirds wrote:

G Man wrote:
I hope the critiques' come back and re-evaluate this show now so that it gets the rating it deserves.
I highly doubt the critics will come back and in any case, what would it prove? The New York press (newspapers, tv, etc) were against the reality show casting leads in a Broadway show. They didn't like almost anything about it, although some other critics were kinder.

BTW, Ashley and Derek started 7/24 so it was less than week and they were still getting their sea legs I am sure.

Grease has done well because it is Grease. It is a show people know, although they think it is more like the movie, which is incorrect. Glad you enjoyed the performance!

-- Edited by DogsandBirds at 23:16, 2008-08-03

I don't think the critics will come back either...only because they look like fools...lol

I mean, there aren't too many shows in New York that sell at 96%......what can they say? All this tells most people, is that people really don't care what the critics think anyway. Max and Laura, and Derek and Ashley are extremely talented, along with the rest of the cast. The critics made a mistake...and they would have to admit it....

Ray · Senior Member

It took me a year to learn what MrE has known all along. The top critics, which are the ones I have access to, don't review audience reaction or ticket sales. They review the actual work on the stage. They know their business, and they don't make mistakes.

AshleyFan · Veteran Member

Granted however the show is still a financial success despite their reviews.

DogsandBirds · Guru

Ray wrote:

It took me a year to learn what MrE has known all along. The top critics, which are the ones I have access to, don't review audience reaction or ticket sales. They review the actual work on the stage. They know their business, and they don't make mistakes.

I disagree. Firstly, while MrE is knowledgeable, he has opinions like the rest of us. The critics know the business but YES, they do make mistakes! I am not saying this is the case for Grease, but the critics are much more esoteric than the average theater goer and therefore, they see it through their high browed, tinted (dare I say tainted?) glasses. People vote with dollars.

-- Edited by DogsandBirds at 04:03, 2008-08-04

AshleyFan · Veteran Member

Bravo Dogsandbirds

Judy · Senior Member

With all due respect,had I listened to the critics I would have missed some of the greatest,plays,music and movies ! Any art form is personal choice and simply because someone else pans it, is not reason enough for me not to experience it myself. Yes critics can be wrong,look at history they panned Elvis, and the Beatles,both of whom recharted the course of music !While I do respect a critics opinionsI do not believe that opinion to be the end all !

-- Edited by Judy at 04:22, 2008-08-04

Eris · Guru

Many of you may remember back from the days of the NBC board that I was (and am) a Derek supporter. And, yes, I was disappointed when he was eliminated. But I've always been supportive of everyone in the top fourteen. Never dissed on Max and Austin because they moved on when Derek didn't. I saw Kate in Legally Blonde, Chad in Altar Boyz, Ashley in Hairspray (five times), saw Max and Laura in Grease (five times). I could go on here. But my point is that I've been behind them all.

That being said it pains me to see people stomp all over this production just because Max and Laura are gone. They had a great run and to say that it's a bad production now is not only a slap to Derek and Ashley but one to Max and Laura.

Critics are not infallible. They're people and, as DogsandBirds said, they make mistakes. You can't put all your eggs in their basket. Make a decision on your own. Not based on what the critics said or based on who leaves the show.

Shadi Ladi · Guru

DogsandBirds wrote:

Ray wrote:

It took me a year to learn what MrE has known all along. The top critics, which are the ones I have access to, don't review audience reaction or ticket sales. They review the actual work on the stage. They know their business, and they don't make mistakes.

I disagree. Firstly, while MrE is knowledgeable, he has opinions like the rest of us. The critics know the business but YES, they do make mistakes! I am not saying this is the case for Grease, but the critics are much more esoteric than the average theater goer and therefore, they see it through their high browed, tinted (dare I say tainted?) glasses. People vote with dollars.

-- Edited by DogsandBirds at 04:03, 2008-08-04

You are absolutely right Dogs & Birds. What is the point of putting on a show, without people sitting in the audience. LOL The critics make plenty of mistakes! And a big one here! The show is an absolute financial success!

-- Edited by Shadi Ladi at 04:58, 2008-08-04

Wish I Knew It All · Senior Member

Ray wrote:

It took me a year to learn what MrE has known all along. The top critics, which are the ones I have access to, don't review audience reaction or ticket sales. They review the actual work on the stage. They know their business, and they don't make mistakes.

Well Ray...there you said it! Maybe they should review ticket sales and audience reaction! Isn't this is what theatre is all about? The audience loves the show! The critics must not know their business as well as you think they do.

SummerLuvin · Veteran Member

May I ask....what are the differences between this 'sanitized' version and the original stage production? Was it 'R' rated before where as it is 'PG' now? Can anyone gives specific examples please? Just curious. Thanks!

Eris · Guru

Check out the original Greased Lightenin'

Why this car is automatic
It's systematic
It's hydromatic
Why it's a grease lightning (Grease lightning)

We'll get some overhead lifters and four barrel quads
oh yeah
(Keep talking whoa keep talking)
Fuel injection cutoffs and chrome plated rods oh yeah
(I'll get the money, i'll kill to get the money)
With the four speed on the floor they'll be waiting at the door
You know that ain't no **** we'll be getting lots of tit
In Grease Lightning
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go

Go grease lightning you're burning up the quarter mile
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
Go grease lightning you're coasting through the heat lap trial
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
You are supreme the chicks'll cream for grease lightning
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go

We'll get some purple hued tailpipes and some thirty inch fins
oh yeah
We'll pound 'em in the dashboard and duel muffler twins
oh yeah
With new pistons, plugs and shocks I can get off my rocks
You know that I ain't bragging she's a real pussy wagon
Grease lightning

Go grease lightning you're burning up the quarter mile
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
Go grease lighting you're coasting through the heat lap trial
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
You are supreme the chicks'll cream for grease lightning

Go grease lightning you're burning up the quarter mile
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
Go grease lighting you're coasting through the heat lap trial
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
You are supreme the chicks'll cream for grease lightning
Lightning, lightning, lightning
Lightning, lightning, lightning
Lightning

azure · Senior Member

Regarding the issue of critics judging what's good or bad vs. the opinions of the audience, Michael Dale wrote a piece in Broadway World addressing the subject. Here's a portion of what he wrote. Note, that you have to read the first few paragraphs where he "leads into" the discussion, in order to understand what he's talking about.

"Click!, A Crowd-Curated Exhibition, the museum's one-room display of 78 photos is inspired by James Surowiecki's book, The Wisdom of Crowds, which, although not particularly about art, explores the value of the opinions of those considered experts as opposed to the collective thoughts of the general public.

378 photographers answered the museum's month-long open call and submitted one photo each on the theme, "Changing Faces of Brooklyn." One of them happened to be my brother, Paul Kopelow, who submitted this photo. (You'll please pardon my overt favoritism if I use my brother as an example of how the process worked.) During a 7 1/2 week period, visitors to the museum's web site were invited to blindly judge as many photos as they like, with technical precautions taken to prevent ballot stuffing and to allow each photo to be judged about the same number of times. The thousands who voted were also asked to evaluate their own knowledge of photography on one of five levels, which is where the fun begins.

If you take a look at this simple chart (this is starting to sound like a Comden and Green lyric) you'll see that Paul's photo placed 5th overall, but did not make the top ten among people who claimed to have no knowledge of photography. He places 6th among those who claim "some" and "more than a little" knowledge, but then jumps to third when evaluated by those with "above average" and "expert" knowledge. Similarly, you'll notice that the photo that placed 1st among those with no knowledge drops to 10th when rated by those with some knowledge and doesn't even make the top ten among those with higher degrees of knowledge.

And if you're wondering what all this has to do with theatre, think of the diverse opinions expressed by New York's theatre critics and frequent theatre-goers as opposed to the infrequent ones. The latest demographic attendance report released by the Broadway League proves that success on the Main Stem relies on appealing to the infrequent play-goer, with only 6% of those surveyed attending Broadway shows 15 or more times a year. Compare that to the roughly 35-40 productions seen by critics and frequent theatre-goers and you'll understand why a show like the current revival of Grease can get generally poor reviews and enjoy a healthy box office while a critically acclaimed show like Passing Strange struggles to attract full-price paying customers.

These stats don't account for attendance at Off-, Off-Off Broadway and regional theatres, but I think it's safe to say that any New York theatre lover, critic or not, will notice a sharp difference between the productions admired by those who attend frequently and those who do not make theatre a regular part of their lives.

Are the crowds right? Were Grease, The Little Mermaid and South Pacific the best shows of last season because the box office says they were? Were the Tony voters wrong in giving last season's Best Revival of a Play award to Journey's End, a production that struggled for an audience throughout its run? Do you put more trust in the opinion of someone who sees 200+ productions a year or is that person's taste likely to be out of touch with most others? And where do ticket prices figure in all of this? I have no answers, but I'd love to hear your opinions."

Posted on: Saturday, July 05, 2008 @ 04:37 AM Posted by: Michael Dale

Eris · Guru

Greased Lightenin' as it appears in the current Broadway revival. Changes in bold.

Why this car is automatic
It's systematic
It's hydromatic
Why it's a grease lightning (Grease lightning)

We'll get some overhead lifters and four barrel quads
oh yeah
(Keep talking whoa keep talking)
Fuel injection cutoffs and chrome plated rods oh yeah
(We''ll get the money, You know we'll get the money)
With the four speed on the floor they'll be waiting at the door
You know that ain't no **** we'll be getting lots of tit
In Grease Lightning
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go

Go grease lightning you're burning up the quarter mile
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
Go grease lightning you're coasting through the heat lap trial
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
You are supreme the chicks'll scream for grease lightning
Go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go, go

We'll get some purple hued tailpipes and some thirty inch fins
oh yeah
We'll pound 'em in the dashboard and duel muffler twins
oh yeah
With new pistons, plugs and shocks she can beat the super stocks
You know that I ain't bragging she's a real dragon wagon
Grease lightning

Go grease lightning you're burning up the quarter mile
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
Go grease lighting you're coasting through the heat lap trial
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
You are supreme the chicks'll scream for grease lightning

Go grease lightning you're burning up the quarter mile
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
Go grease lighting you're coasting through the heat lap trial
(Grease lightning go grease lightning)
You are supreme the chicks'll scream for grease lightning
Lightning, lightning, lightning
Lightning, lightning, lightning
Lightning

Brite Eyes · Veteran Member

Wish I Knew It All wrote:
Ray wrote:

It took me a year to learn what MrE has known all along. The top critics, which are the ones I have access to, don't review audience reaction or ticket sales. They review the actual work on the stage. They know their business, and they don't make mistakes.

Well Ray...there you said it! Maybe they should review ticket sales and audience reaction! Isn't this is what theatre is all about? The audience loves the show! The critics must not know their business as well as you think they do.

You make a very good point, Wish.

Kristen · Guru

I'll volunteer to be a reviewer!!! :) I know that I'll be giving Ashley and Derek a wonderful review!!!

DogsandBirds · Guru

Wish I Knew It All wrote:

Ray wrote:

It took me a year to learn what MrE has known all along. The top critics, which are the ones I have access to, don't review audience reaction or ticket sales. They review the actual work on the stage. They know their business, and they don't make mistakes.

Well Ray...there you said it! Maybe they should review ticket sales and audience reaction! Isn't this is what theatre is all about? The audience loves the show! The critics must not know their business as well as you think they do.

Critics know what they know and what they know is theater. They get paid based on their years of experience and depth of knowledge about theater. That being said, they aren't without prejudices, likes and dislikes. It's also easy to critic bash, since they aren't here to defend themselves.

That being said, they aren't swayed by audience reaction or ticket sales because they are there to review the show. It's good that they aren't influenced by tickets sales or some shows that are positively reviewed would have closed, but because of a good review they stayed open. Some shows have been critic proof and Wicked comes to mind as well as Grease. There have been othes. A good review does not guarantee a long run nor does a negative one close the doors on the show.

In this season alone, Little Mermaid and Young Frankenstein both did not get good reviews. That being said, both will run for quite a while, Little Mermaid because it is Disney and Young Frankenstein because of Mel Brooks, although I am sure that YF will close long before LM.

DogsandBirds · Guru

DogsandBirds wrote:

Wish I Knew It All wrote:

Ray wrote:

It took me a year to learn what MrE has known all along. The top critics, which are the ones I have access to, don't review audience reaction or ticket sales. They review the actual work on the stage. They know their business, and they don't make mistakes.

Well Ray...there you said it! Maybe they should review ticket sales and audience reaction! Isn't this is what theatre is all about? The audience loves the show! The critics must not know their business as well as you think they do.
Critics know what they know and what they know is theater. They get paid based on their years of experience and depth of knowledge about theater. That being said, they aren't without prejudices, likes and dislikes. It's also easy to critic bash, since they aren't here to defend themselves.

That being said, they aren't swayed by audience reaction or ticket sales because they are there to review the show. It's good that they aren't influenced by tickets sales or some shows that are positively reviewed would have closed, but because of a good review they stayed open. Some shows have been critic proof and Wicked comes to mind as well as Grease. There have been othes. A good review does not guarantee a long run nor does a negative one close the doors on the show.

In this season alone, Little Mermaid and Young Frankenstein both did not get good reviews. That being said, both will run for quite a while, Little Mermaid because it is Disney and Young Frankenstein because of Mel Brooks, although I am sure that YF will close long before LM. Passing Strange which did get good reviews, has already closed. Audiences, as I said before, vote with their dollars.

Brite Eyes · Veteran Member

Shadi Ladi wrote:
Eris wrote:

The scene of Sandy and Danny at the beach originally opened this production but was cut from the show after Max and Laura left.

This a revival of the Broadway show - not the movie. Productions of Grease are playing everyday throughout the country. Regional theatres, high schools, middle schools, etc. They're all performing versions of the original Broadway production - not the film. So there are many, many people who know the stage version.

IMO to update the stage version to fit with the film would be a disservice to audiences. They're being opened to something familiar and yet new. Why take that away from them by making the show closer to the movie?

This production is already changed from the much raunchier original Broadway version. To change it any more than it already has been would remove it rather dramatically from the original concept. A concept that has been strong enough to survive this long.

I had never seen the original Broadway Show, just the movie. I have heard that one of the reasons the critics didn't like this revival was because it was too SANITIZED! So go figure!

Shadi Ladi....I've read several times the critics were highly upset because of the reality show casting approach to finding stars for the Grease show. This was new to them and they wanted no part of it. Perhaps now since Legally Blonde went reality, they may change their thinking.

The plus side of the reality concept is you have an audience built in before the show starts.

Wish I Knew It All · Senior Member

DogsandBirds wrote:

DogsandBirds wrote:

Wish I Knew It All wrote:

Ray wrote:

It took me a year to learn what MrE has known all along. The top critics, which are the ones I have access to, don't review audience reaction or ticket sales. They review the actual work on the stage. They know their business, and they don't make mistakes.

Well Ray...there you said it! Maybe they should review ticket sales and audience reaction! Isn't this is what theatre is all about? The audience loves the show! The critics must not know their business as well as you think they do.
Critics know what they know and what they know is theater. They get paid based on their years of experience and depth of knowledge about theater. That being said, they aren't without prejudices, likes and dislikes. It's also easy to critic bash, since they aren't here to defend themselves.

That being said, they aren't swayed by audience reaction or ticket sales because they are there to review the show. It's good that they aren't influenced by tickets sales or some shows that are positively reviewed would have closed, but because of a good review they stayed open. Some shows have been critic proof and Wicked comes to mind as well as Grease. There have been othes. A good review does not guarantee a long run nor does a negative one close the doors on the show.

In this season alone, Little Mermaid and Young Frankenstein both did not get good reviews. That being said, both will run for quite a while, Little Mermaid because it is Disney and Young Frankenstein because of Mel Brooks, although I am sure that YF will close long before LM. Passing Strange which did get good reviews, has already closed. Audiences, as I said before, vote with their dollars.

In my opinion, kick the critics out of the theatre (they don't pay for their tickets anyway - lol), and let the ticket sales tell the story. biggrin

DogsandBirds · Guru

Wish I Knew It All wrote:
In my opinion, kick the critics out of the theatre (they don't pay for their tickets anyway - lol), and let the ticket sales tell the story.

In effect, the audience does "kick the critics out" since ticket sales keep shows open.

MrE1111 · Guru

I thanks you all for quoting me...I'm lurking here more now that I'm posting, but here are a few thoughts on the situation:

1. The critics won't be invited back, for the fact that why would the producers subject themselves to a second set of bad reviews? It wasn't the cast most of them hated, it was the production itself. Max and Laura, for the most part, got fairly decent reviews, if memory serves.

2. Grease is indeed critic-proof. If it gets bad reviews, it'll still sell, as evidenced by this revival playing for over a year with a filler Tony nomination and largely negative reviews.

3. Some critics do feel they make mistakes. Ben Brantley gave Patti LuPone in GYPSY at NY City Center a largely negative review, saying that she was too busy playing herself than the character. When he reviewed the production on Broadway, his reaction was "well, I'll proudly eat my hat." And what did LuPone do in return? She sent him a gigantic chocolate cowboy hat. True story.

4. If anyone is interested in reading the original, original, dirty, dirty script, it's published in a long out of print anthology called "Great Rock Musicals," edited by Stanley Richards. Also contains HAIR, THE WIZ, TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA, etc. Should be at your local library, or you can get it used for $5 on Amazon like I did.

Edwardian · Veteran Member

I think that it is possible for a production to be theatrically flawed and yet still be highly entertaining. There are certain elements that the critics know combine to make great theater. They evaluate a production according to these criteria, add two dashes of personal preference and voila, you have a review. Generally, they do have some sound basis when they criticize a show.

However, a show can still be popular with audiences if it finds a way to strike a chord with a large number of people. That's part of the success of this reality show casting experiment. It5 created great bonds between the actors and the public. Grease has lots of other great stuff going for it too and audiences are right to love it.

You have to balance the reviews against audience response. Critics and audiences may value different qualites of a production. Neither is necessarily wrong. Both can be right.

-- Edited by Edwardian at 16:29, 2008-08-04

AshleyFan · Veteran Member

There are a lot of "Baby Boomers" who love this show because they lived it.

Brite Eyes · Veteran Member

Gypsy won 3 top Tonys for best and supporting actor and as of 7/27 Broadway grosses
Gypsy sold 78.7% and Grease 95.2%.

Wish I Knew It All · Senior Member

Brite Eyes wrote:

Gypsy won 3 top Tonys for best and supporting actor and as of 7/27 Broadway grosses
Gypsy sold 78.7% and Grease 95.2%.

Very interesting statistic Brite Eyes! Amazing isn't it?

Eris · Guru

AshleyFan wrote:
There are a lot of "Baby Boomers" who love this show because they lived it.

My father hated it with a passion and, I believe, it was his influence that broke me out of the Grease phase I went through when I was 10. Every time I watched it he would comment on the T-Birds and Pink Ladies being "jerks" and that Sandy was a nice girl who turned into a "jerk".

He would have graduated high school in 1962 and was a jock and letterman. Knowing my father I can surely imagine him getting in a fist fight or two with some Greasers.

Buzzy Bee · Veteran Member

G Man wrote:

I have been a fan of Ashley Spencer and Derek since the NBC show. They both did great on that show and now they finally get their chance to show their talents on Broadway. In a way I feel the time between the NBC show and now has provided them with invaluable experience. I saw this show on July 30, so the group had less then two weeks to get their act together.

The show overall gets a big thumbs up. There were some moments that did flow well in Act I the scene in Marty's bedroom was a little flat as well as the Rydell fight song. The scene of transforming the old car wreck to Greased Lightnin was really neat.

ACT II was a complete different story the high energy by everyone had everyone there tapping their feet. Derek and Ashley nailed their signature songs to a T. The final scene with these two dancing was fabulous.

I was a little surprised that the role's of Sandy and Danny in this show seemed really diminished from the film and that was not what I expected. It appeared that the cast had major roles as well as the stars.

I hope the critiques' come back and re-evaluate this show now so that it gets the rating it deserves.

Hi Everyone!

I am new to this forum, and can't believe I have finally found a place to talk about the Broadway Show. I didn't even know this message board existed. I loved the TV show, and can't wait to read the posts of everyone on here.

Brite Eyes · Veteran Member

Ray wrote:
It took me a year to learn what MrE has known all along. The top critics, which are the ones I have access to, don't review audience reaction or ticket sales. They review the actual work on the stage. They know their business, and they don't make mistakes.

But of course, the critics make mistakes. Get real!

Edwardian · Veteran Member

Eris wrote:
AshleyFan wrote:
There are a lot of "Baby Boomers" who love this show because they lived it.

My father hated it with a passion and, I believe, it was his influence that broke me out of the Grease phase I went through when I was 10. Every time I watched it he would comment on the T-Birds and Pink Ladies being "jerks" and that Sandy was a nice girl who turned into a "jerk".

He would have graduated high school in 1962 and was a jock and letterman. Knowing my father I can surely imagine him getting in a fist fight or two with some Greasers.

I grew up during that era too, Eris, though a bit later than your dad. (I graduated high school in 1971.) Greasers hold no nostagic memories for me. I was considered a "hippie" and people like them threw people like me out of classroom windows. And so neither the play nor the movie held much interest for me until that great group of kids came along on GYTOYIW on TV. I would go see the play, but mostly for Laura and Max and Ashley and Derek and Allie. I'm sure that I'd also enjoy the music, the dancing, the other actors and the all-around energy of the show. It's ironic that the nostalgic draw of the show for me would be to the 2007 television show rather than to the life I directly experienced 40 years ago. However, if they ever do a Broadway revival of Hair ...

(Like your father, Sandy's change at the end of the show really bugs me.)

Eris · Guru

At ten her change never bothered me. Nineteen years later the change doesn't set well with me either.

Buzzy Bee · Veteran Member

Eris wrote:

At ten her change never bothered me. Nineteen years later the change doesn't set well with me either.

What people do for love! People have given up their own identities for it

since the beginning of time! biggrin

-- Edited by Buzzy Bee at 17:59, 2008-08-04

-- Edited by Buzzy Bee at 18:06, 2008-08-04

MaxFan · Veteran Member

Buzzy Bee wrote:

Hi Everyone!

I am new to this forum, and can't believe I have finally found a place to talk about the Broadway Show. I didn't even know this message board existed. I loved the TV show, and can't wait to read the posts of everyone on here.

Welcome, Buzzy Bee!

Edwardian · Veteran Member

Buzzy Bee wrote:
Eris wrote:

At ten her change never bothered me. Nineteen years later the change doesn't set well with me either.

What people do for love! People have given up their own identities for it
since the beginning of time!

-- Edited by Buzzy Bee at 17:59, 2008-08-04

-- Edited by Buzzy Bee at 18:06, 2008-08-04

Is it for love?

Or, is it for the need for love?

Hello799 · Senior Member

Wish I Knew It All wrote:
Brite Eyes wrote:

Gypsy won 3 top Tonys for best and supporting actor and as of 7/27 Broadway grosses
Gypsy sold 78.7% and Grease 95.2%.

Very interesting statistic Brite Eyes! Amazing isn't it?

Don't be impressed or startled by deceiving numbers. Gypsy is playing at the St. James theatre and it seats 13,656 weekly. Grease is playing at the Brooks Atkingson theatre which only seats 8,576. Even though Gypsy is only filling 78.7%, the show still grossed more than $100k.

Which would you rather have???? More seats or more bling???

Shadi Ladi · Guru

Edwardian wrote:

Buzzy Bee wrote:

Eris wrote:

At ten her change never bothered me. Nineteen years later the change doesn't set well with me either.

What people do for love! People have given up their own identities for it
since the beginning of time!

-- Edited by Buzzy Bee at 17:59, 2008-08-04

-- Edited by Buzzy Bee at 18:06, 2008-08-04

Is it for love?

Or, is it for the need for love?

We all need love don't we?

AshleyFan · Veteran Member

Yep, according to John Lennon "all you need is love" ya ta da da daaaaaaa

Brite Eyes · Veteran Member

I can hear you singin' it Ashley Fan

DogsandBirds · Guru

Eris wrote:

At ten her change never bothered me. Nineteen years later the change doesn't set well with me either.

Grease was written as parody not as historical fiction! It's supposed to be funny and make fun of the time, not represent it as real.