GREASE REVIEW at Atkinson Theater

G Man · Member

RE: GREASE REVIEW at Atkinson Theater

Edwardian · Veteran Member

Shadi Ladi wrote:
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?

Yup. Been there, done that.

StockardFan · Senior Member

Boy this thread turned philisophocal....

Kristen · Guru

I love your pictures G Man!!!! Thanks for sharing them! :)

Judy · Senior Member

DogsandBirds wrote:
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.

I agree whole heartedly D&B and that is exactly why Grease is a winner and is timeless. Having been a teeny bopper during the fifties and early sixties it's easy for me to relate to the music and the theme,but it was just as easy for my daughters to relate to it and now my Grandchildren.Some things don't ever really change,summer ,young love and the need to belong are the things we have all experienced at one time or another in our life.

Welcome to the Grease Forum Buzzy Bee,it's nice to see you here

StockardFan · Senior Member

That's true, Judy.

Eris · Guru

I know that Grease is a parody. Just never sat well with me. Just one of those things.

It's probably my father's influence.

StockardFan · Senior Member

I totally see what you are saying. But to be fair, Danny did try to change too. At least in the movie, I don't remember enough about the stage show - I saw it so long ago.

Shadi Ladi · Guru

Judy wrote:

DogsandBirds wrote:

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.

I agree whole heartedly D&B and that is exactly why Grease is a winner and is timeless. Having been a teeny bopper during the fifties and early sixties it's easy for me to relate to the music and the theme,but it was just as easy for my daughters to relate to it and now my Grandchildren.Some things don't ever really change,summer ,young love and the need to belong are the things we have all experienced at one time or another in our life.

Welcome to the Grease Forum Buzzy Bee,it's nice to see you here

The more things change, the more they stay the same!

-- Edited by Shadi Ladi at 21:22, 2008-08-04

-- Edited by Shadi Ladi at 21:25, 2008-08-04

Eris · Guru

StockardFan wrote:
I totally see what you are saying. But to be fair, Danny did try to change too. At least in the movie, I don't remember enough about the stage show - I saw it so long ago.

He joins the track team but ends up quitting when the coach asks him to get a haircut.

StockardFan · Senior Member

Aaaah, that's right. It's been like 12 years since I've seen it. I just remember Linda Blair was Rizzo, and the guy that played the teen angel was this black guy with a HUGE pompadour. He was great........stole the show.

Just Dandy · Veteran Member

G Man wrote:
WOW - I cannot believe what I started here. I was simply stating what I thought I saw. I will say again that the Grease show I saw on 7/30 was a great show and especially the second Act. Go see it and I am sure you will agree it was money well spent.

I have nothing against any of the Grease kids that were in the NBC finals. I even went out to the last show in LA and met each of them. They are all fantastic kids and I liked them all, I just wanted to see Ashley and Derek win that competition.

I have not been able to see shows that the rest of the kids have gotten into but I am sure they are doing a great job. I did see Derek in Tale of Two Cities and Ashley in Hairspray and I believe these shows helped them grow with that experience. They were terrific in their roles.

I am sure all the loyal Grease fans will continue to support all of the kids coming out of the NBC show. It is obvious from the comments here that this is true. Now don't bash me for saying kids because they are all young enough to be my grandchildren, you see I am a true Greaser that grew up in the late fifties and lived these roles.

Hope you can see the pics I took in Ashley's dresssing room and her and Derek signing after the show.

Thanks for the pictures G Man and you didn't say anything wrong the first time. I for one really enjoyed your view of the show, your time and effort are appreciated.

Kristen · Guru

G Man, thanks for the review too!!! I really enjoyed hearing your thoughts and ideas about the show! :) And don't worry about starting anything on this board--you were fine! I hope that you will continue to post! :)

Judy · Senior Member

G Man.......Your post was great,and it sparked a fantastic discussion.Sharing opinions and listening to others makes for an interesting thread ! Just look at the number of posts in this thread,you got people talking,that's a good thing !

Shadi Ladi · Guru

G Man wrote:

WOW - I cannot believe what I started here. I was simply stating what I thought I saw. I will say again that the Grease show I saw on 7/30 was a great show and especially the second Act. Go see it and I am sure you will agree it was money well spent.

I have nothing against any of the Grease kids that were in the NBC finals. I even went out to the last show in LA and met each of them. They are all fantastic kids and I liked them all, I just wanted to see Ashley and Derek win that competition.

I have not been able to see shows that the rest of the kids have gotten into but I am sure they are doing a great job. I did see Derek in Tale of Two Cities and Ashley in Hairspray and I believe these shows helped them grow with that experience. They were terrific in their roles.

I am sure all the loyal Grease fans will continue to support all of the kids coming out of the NBC show. It is obvious from the comments here that this is true. Now don't bash me for saying kids because they are all young enough to be my grandchildren, you see I am a true Greaser that grew up in the late fifties and lived these roles.

Hope you can see the pics I took in Ashley's dresssing room and her and Derek signing after the show.

I personally didn't hear anything negative in your first review! Some people just love controversy. Thanks so much for your review and for the pictures!
It's always great hearing peoples' opinions of the show.

-- Edited by Shadi Ladi at 23:48, 2008-08-04

BBS420 · Guru

Eris wrote:
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

aren't these words used now? They were used in the movie version.

StockardFan · Senior Member

No, I think she posted the new one too. They changed pussy to dragon, cream to scream, and a few other things.

BBS420 · Guru

ok, I just realized how raunchy the words in the movie are. lol. hubby pointed them out to me.

StockardFan · Senior Member

I know, I kind of can't believe they got away with that.

Edwardian · Veteran Member

Does anyone remember what the movie's rating was?

StockardFan · Senior Member

PG, I just looked it up.

DogsandBirds · Guru

Shadi Ladi wrote:

G Man wrote:

WOW - I cannot believe what I started here.

I think we were responding as much Ray's comments as to yours, G Man. The only thing we were really discussing was about the critics. I thought it was an interesting thread.

Eris · Guru

There was no PG-13 at the time. After Gremlins and Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom shocked young audiences Stephen Spielberg suggested there be a rating between PG and R. The first PG-13 film to be released was 1984's Red Dawn. The Flamingo Kid was the first film given a PG-13 rating but ended up being released after Red Dawn.

If Grease were to be re-evaluated I would suspect it would be given a PG-13 rating.

StockardFan · Senior Member

You are a plethora of information, Eris.

Eris · Guru

I just remembered another difference. In the original production and the film Marty makes reference to catching Vince Fontaine trying to slip Tylenol into her drink after the dance. That line is gone from the current production.

Tay4me · Veteran Member

StockardFan wrote:
No, I think she posted the new one too. They changed pussy to dragon, cream to scream, and a few other things.

I never heard dragon used that way until last year!

MrE1111 · Guru

"Raining on Prom Night" is my favorite, and the most underrated song in the score.

texfans5 · Veteran Member

Oh, I love "It''s Raining on Prom NIght" too! Beautiful...thanks for the Bday wish on the Broadway thread:)

Bill747 · Veteran Member

Brite Eyes wrote:

....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.
________________________________________________________

Those who can, do. Those who can't, criticize.

Critics are just a bunch of failed jounalist lacking the talent or drive to report on hard news. Critics (especially those in New York) are mostly jaded cantankerous old windbags who couldn't hold a real job. I trust reviews by family, friends, neighbours or any ordinary people more than reviews by professional critics.

The fact that millions of people liked Max/Laura/Derek/Ashley's performances enough to vote for them is plenty of endorsement for me. Moreover, having seen them perform, I liked them. I don't need some old windbag to tell me what I should or should not like.

Many critics and their closed circle of casting director friends don't like reality show casting because they are afraid of losing their overpaid jobs with excess benefits.

If done properly, reality show casting is actually a great idea whose time has come, because giving the power and the choice to the people is always best.

Bill

Just Dandy · Veteran Member

Interesting Bill but how much "Reality" is in fact "REALITY"? TV shows have the power to let you see just exactly what "they" want you to see. They can portray a contestant in any light they want, ie. clothes, makeup, hairdoo, choice of music. I am sure all reality shows are not equal but far from perfect, after all the networks contrive situations and have agendas too.

-- Edited by Just Dandy at 16:21, 2008-08-05

pinkfan · Senior Member

How many people outside of NY, NJ, who come to see a show when they are on vacation ever read a review anyway?

Buzzy Bee · Veteran Member

Bill Stated:

"Many critics and their closed circle of casting director friends don't like reality show casting because they are afraid of losing their overpaid jobs with excess benefits. "

Hey Bill! This was an interesting observation! Never thought of that! Probably a lot of truth to it! Have a great day! biggrin

Eris · Guru

Bill747 wrote:
Brite Eyes wrote:

....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.
________________________________________________________

Those who can, do. Those who can't, criticize.

Critics are just a bunch of failed jounalist lacking the talent or drive to report on hard news. Critics (especially those in New York) are mostly jaded cantankerous old windbags who couldn't hold a real job. I trust reviews by family, friends, neighbours or any ordinary people more than reviews by professional critics.

The fact that millions of people liked Max/Laura/Derek/Ashley's performances enough to vote for them is plenty of endorsement for me. Moreover, having seen them perform, I liked them. I don't need some old windbag to tell me what I should or should not like.

Many critics and their closed circle of casting director friends don't like reality show casting because they are afraid of losing their overpaid jobs with excess benefits.

If done properly, reality show casting is actually a great idea whose time has come, because giving the power and the choice to the people is always best.

Bill

azure · Senior Member

Winning (or even participating in) a reality show really is a double-edged sword, isn't it! These "kids" have massive talent, and the reality shows offer them a venue to "get noticed" - as well as a huge edge in national name recognition.

The problem is the "titles" that come with winning these shows carry more than just popularity and fame. They come with enormous pressure to live up to public scrutiny and expectations. Unfortunately, many of the critics have expectations of failure instead of success. There are the snobs in the industry - the media people who insist that anyone making a name for themselves by winning a television reality show, just can't be the "real deal" in the entertainment business. Those critics just aren't willing to give the Laura's and Max's, the Derek's and Ashley's, and the Taylor's - a fair shake. They don't go in to review a show with an open mind or an open heart.

Hopefully, over time, it will become easier for these actors to break down future critics' "agendas" and to get them to look beyond the fact that they were discovered on a reality show stage. After all, GYTOTIW showcased how talented these four (and the rest of the finalists) were, and surely as with Laura and Max, by the time they've played Broadway for a year, they've paid some dues and proven what they can do.

Taylor, unfortunately, has carried the "weight" of winning Idol for two years now, and as a musician, he's still struggling to garner credibility and respect. I often felt that if instead of touring, he could stay at one venue and just do what he does best - entertain people - he'd eventually win over the critics and be a success. But that isn't how it works for a singer, songwriter, musician. He has to write, record, and tour his music while trying valiantly to shed the stigma of winning a reality show. This little bit of time he's had in Grease has been a wonderful change for him - as far as the media. And it's been awesome for his fans, as well, to be able to "get to him." Here's hoping that some of the positive media follows him when he steps out of that ice cream cone for the last time!

Indeed, here's hoping that all of the kids survive the downside of reality show success, and have long, rewarding careers!

DogsandBirds · Guru

Bill747 wrote:

Brite Eyes wrote:

....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.
________________________________________________________

Those who can, do. Those who can't, criticize.

Critics are just a bunch of failed jounalist lacking the talent or drive to report on hard news. Critics (especially those in New York) are mostly jaded cantankerous old windbags who couldn't hold a real job. I trust reviews by family, friends, neighbours or any ordinary people more than reviews by professional critics.

The fact that millions of people liked Max/Laura/Derek/Ashley's performances enough to vote for them is plenty of endorsement for me. Moreover, having seen them perform, I liked them. I don't need some old windbag to tell me what I should or should not like.

Many critics and their closed circle of casting director friends don't like reality show casting because they are afraid of losing their overpaid jobs with excess benefits.

If done properly, reality show casting is actually a great idea whose time has come, because giving the power and the choice to the people is always best.

Bill

Besides that being very harsh, it is also untrue. Critics are educated journalists who know more about theater than all of us combined. I should have a job such as that where they call me "failed!" They hold real jobs and while you may disagree with them, they hardly deserve your venom. They hold real jobs, although you might not appreciate their work.

While it's true that reality shows are disliked by the theater critics, it is unreasonable to believe that every show being cast would be cast via this means. It would eliminate a great deal of talent who doesn't want to go that route and in any case, the expense involved would make Broadway shows prohibitive. Casting companies and the people who work for them work hard to try to cast shows with the best talent they can, not just to feather their nests.

Just as the folks who went on YTOTIW have now started careers will go through the audition processes in future endeavors, so do many hopefuls who go the the process with the casting companies. That was most of the cast of Grease as well. They do their jobs, and they will stay a staple of the theater world, since the audition process is an important ingredient in the producing of a show. As a matter of fact, the folks who went on YTOTIW were seen by casting companies for later auditions for the Grease folks.

-- Edited by DogsandBirds at 19:34, 2008-08-05

MrE1111 · Guru

The Legally Blonde television show was done properly, with the casting director, writer, and director/choreographer deciding.

The Grease show was done totally wrong.

In my opinion.

Shadi Ladi · Guru

MrE1111 wrote:

The Legally Blonde television show was done properly, with the casting director, writer, and director/choreographer deciding.

The Grease show was done totally wrong.

In my opinion.

Thank you, Mr. E...I am so very glad you added..."in my opinion."

-- Edited by Shadi Ladi at 20:50, 2008-08-05

Just Dandy · Veteran Member

MrE1111 wrote:
The Legally Blonde television show was done properly, with the casting director, writer, and director/choreographer deciding.

The Grease show was done totally wrong.

In my opinion.

What didn't you like about "GYTOTIW" or what would you have done differently Mr. E111?

MrE1111 · Guru

My biggest problem was how the casting of the two leads by America undermined the jobs of the director and casting agents. My next biggest problem was that the actors were matched and mismatched each week, rather than having a steady partner. If I were king of the forest, I would have made it a group deal...dial this # and you're voting for, say, Ashley and Dereck. Dial another # and you're voting for Austin and Laura.

And then there's the whole thing that the production wasn't nearly as good as it could have/should have been.

Bill747 · Veteran Member

DogsandBirds wrote:

...Critics are educated journalists who know more about theater than all of us combined. I should have a job such as that where they call me "failed!"

Wrong. There is no educational requirement for critics. The only requirement is that a newspaper publisher/editor likes you enough to hire you. Eventhough some critics ARE overly educated, in the art of pretentious esoteric nonsense.

Bill

DogsandBirds · Guru

Bill747 wrote:

DogsandBirds wrote:

...Critics are educated journalists who know more about theater than all of us combined. I should have a job such as that where they call me "failed!"

Wrong. There is no educational requirement for critics. The only requirement is that a newspaper publisher/editor likes you enough to hire you. Eventhough some critics ARE overly educated, in the art of pretentious esoteric nonsense.

Bill

In your opinion.

azure · Senior Member

I think I remember reading in a long interview with Michael Reidel (can't remember where, but it's in a post of mine someplace in the forum) that he was a lawyer (or had gone to law school) and that writing was a secondary thing with him when he was asked to become the reviewer/critic for the Post. What are the backgrounds for the other well-known critics in NY?

MrE1111 · Guru

Again: RIEDEL IS NOT A CRITIC OR A REVIEWIER. He's a gossip columnist.

The critic for the Post is Clive Barnes - Englisman, Oxford educated, former head critic of the Times, has written and edited many books.

Ben Brantley - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Brantley

John Simon - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Simon_(critic)

That Girl · Senior Member

MrE1111 wrote:
Again: RIEDEL IS NOT A CRITIC OR A REVIEWIER. He's a gossip columnist.

The critic for the Post is Clive Barnes - Englisman, Oxford educated, former head critic of the Times, has written and edited many books.

Ben Brantley - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Brantley

John Simon - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Simon_(critic)

Well at least these three have really impressive educational backgrounds! I like to read what the critics write even though it rarely has an impact on what I plan on seeing.

AshleyFan · Veteran Member

Does anyone make a choice about Broadway shows based on what the critics say?
I was just wondering how the people on these boards felt about that. I for one don't care what they say if I am interested in the story.

Wish I Knew It All · Senior Member

AshleyFan wrote:

Does anyone make a choice about Broadway shows based on what the critics say?
I was just wondering how the people on these boards felt about that. I for one don't care what they say if I am interested in the story.

I really don't think they do! I want to be entertained when I go to a show, so I usual pick a comedy or a musical! It's quite simple for me!

Kristen · Guru

AshleyFan wrote:

Does anyone make a choice about Broadway shows based on what the critics say?
I was just wondering how the people on these boards felt about that. I for one don't care what they say if I am interested in the story.

I usually go because of the star of the show!

However, I have also seen shows because of their reputation. I also consider friends' recommendations--if a friend has seen a show and raved about it, it makes me want to go. This also helps because my friends know me so well and recommend shows that they know I would be interested in. But I don't typically consider what the critics say.

DogsandBirds · Guru

AshleyFan wrote:

Does anyone make a choice about Broadway shows based on what the critics say?
I was just wondering how the people on these boards felt about that. I for one don't care what they say if I am interested in the story.

I like to read the reviews and then make my own decisions. I do the same with movies although movies have a much wider audience and therefore, many more people who review them.

texfans5 · Veteran Member

I think that most people do not choose a show based on the critic's review. I was just visiting with a woman behind the box office counter and she was telling me about how she goes to certain shows just because of a particular actor/actress who was in it and whenever that person's in a show they go see it. She also told me I have to go see Xanadu, that it's nothing like the movie and so much FUN. She went and saw it twice in her last visit to new york, because she didn't want to see Young Frankenstein(her husband went to that).

Eris · Guru

Xanadu is great fun - especially if you sit on stage. The plot is much more cohesive than the film and the show doesn't take itself seriously at all.

Also, Young Frankenstein was much better than I was expecting. I loved the Puttin on the Ritz number. You don't see many grand production numbers these days.