Thanks Fairy Godmother, I can tell you are an Ashley fan by your glowing remarks.

Welcome Fairy Godmother, it is great to have you join us on the Grease boards. Loved your impression of the show.

Thanks Fairy Godmother, how did you like Greased Liightnin?

I know my comments were all about Ashley but, what can I say? She stole the show!! Now, about Greased Lightenin', Matt Hydzik is a great addition as Kenickie! He has such warmth and emotes well. It comes across sincerely and believable! The cast, especially, Roger and Sonny, made great comic additions and caught my attention throughout the whole scene! The Locker room scene was hilarious as Doody played his guitar through Magic Changes! It was truly a magical scene and transported me back to those locker room days! My favorite, of course, was Ashley's rendition of Hopelessly Devoted. I was deeply touched by the fact that she WAS Sandy and believable as a love struck teenager. As far as the women cast members other than Ash, I found them to be true professionals and able to bring reality to their parts. Jan made me laugh with her facial expressions and responses to Roger. They are perfect in their roles and compliment each other well. Rizzo was the perfect BAD girl with the tough exterior and had a beautiful voice to round out her part. What can I say about Eugene? We ALL had a Eugene in our high schools, mine was William with his high water pants, big watch and orange socks! You had to love him! Frenchy was so darling and carried her part well with her the perfect look, high pitched voice,and somewhat scattered demeanor. I have to say that my overall impression was one of delight as it took me back to a time that I treasure. Lastly, I have to share one more thing that impressed me, probably more than anything else, and that is Ashley's ability to adapt to her sudden celebrity with such grace. I was standing outside the theatre and was waiting for my autograph when I overheard several people talking about her and her recent role in Hairspray. They were clearly starstruck and couldn't wait to tell her they had been following her success. When Ashley finally made it outside to sign, she was so dear and kind to every single request for an autograph or picture. That impressed me more than anything that day. After a long day on stage, she remembered who made her a success!

Thanks FG for the added post. It's nice to know what you think of the rest of the cast but what about Derek? OMG I'm sure you just forgot in your excitement.

-- Edited by pinkfan at 20:51, 2008-08-13

Sounds like you had a great experience Fairy Godmother. It's nice to hear that Ashley has remained who she is despite her success.

I just loved Ashley on GYTOTIW and I am so thrilled she has this chance to play Sandy.
Go Ashley!

Hi everybody!!

Just received my approval and wanted to post IMMEDIATELY. :) I'm a Taylor Hicks fan and travelled to NY from VA at the end of June specifically to see Grease on Broadway. Of course, I had a blast -- the show is cute and the previous cast of Danny and Sandy were enjoyable.

I'm looking forward to interacting to the board members.

My husband just gave me the OK to purchase tickets for Saturday's matinee; it's our 11th wedding anniversary!! I decided on front mezz row B! Last year we were in orchestra row K. Different view, different performers; it should be great regardless! I'm excited!

greasefan wrote:

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My husband just gave me the OK to purchase tickets for Saturday's matinee; it's our 11th wedding anniversary!! I decided on front mezz row B! Last year we were in orchestra row K. Different view, different performers; it should be great regardless! I'm excited!

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that's exactly where we will be friday night.

Have fun, greasefan!!! That's awesome! You'll love seeing Ashley and Derek too! I have no doubt! And happy anniversary!

-- Edited by Kristen at 19:41, 2008-08-14

Last October, we did a group trip. The tickets weren't handed out until we got on the bus. When I found out it was row K, I was upset, because I wanted to be closer. But it turned out great; we were in the aisle seat right side. I'm sure there is not a bad seat in the house!

I saw the matinee show yesterday and still enjoyed it the second time around. After the show, Taylor Hicks, Ryan Patrick Binder, Will Blum, Matthew Hydzik, Lindsay Mendez, Jose Restrepo, Jamison Scott and Kirsten Wyatt came out; that's right, no Ashley and no Derek! We waited awhile for the body guard to come back with the vehicle; he took Taylor away. When he got back with the SUV, he started moving the metal partitions away. He made a loud comment, "They're not coming out, they have another show tonight." My mouth dropped. Last year, Laura and Max found time to sign all autographs after a matinee show! Sorry Eris, I am pretty upset with your "hubby" right now. I know, eventually, I will have to get over this!

On to the show... I have to say that Matthew Saldivar, by far, was a better Kenickie! I noticed that Kirsten has changed her voice to be even more lovable annoying and she added more script than last show. I asked her if she adlibs onstage, because she told teen angel she loved him (and other things as well). She said the words are changed around to suit the character she's onstage with; she says that is just for Taylor. I did not go to the show to see Taylor, but he did a great job. He gets everybody going when the harmonica comes out! He does have a power about him. As for Derek and Ashley, they each added their specialness to their parts. I cannot say who plays the part better. Derek does have a stronger theater voice than Max, but I wouldn't be able to pick who played the role better. Ashley has the look of Sandy, but Laura seemed to connect with the audience more. I am glad that I got to see both performances, especially with the main characters. The night before last Oct 7 show, Max didn't go on because of an injury, but made it to my show! Friday night, Derek didn't make the show (thanks for letting me know Eris), but made it to the matinee for me to see! Luck was on my side!

I truly love New York! I wish I lived closer, so that I could enjoy more of it more often!

-- Edited by greasefan at 15:53, 2008-08-17

greasefan, Taylor has had me in his spell for a couple years now. he has a power about him, imo. and I think frenchie likes him. *wishing I was frenchie*

greasefan wrote:

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I do think there is a secret crush between Frenchie and teen angel!

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I think so too.

You're welcome, juliegr! I'm glad that you were able to go before the surgery! Hope the healing process goes well!

besides Taylor, frenchie is my favorite in the cast. she is so cute.

His nose is fractured? How in hell did that happen?

I wonder if they prefer Ashley and Derek to go out the stage door together to sign. If Derek couldn't go out, maybe they just didn't send Ashley out either. Has anyone seen one without the other afterwards? Just a thought!

Eris wrote:

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greasefan wrote:

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I have to say that Matthew Saldivar, by far, was a better Kenickie!

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 I have to disagree with this.  Matt S's Kenickie was a bit "tougher" than Matt H's but that doesn't make him a "better" Kenickie in my opinion.  They approach the roles so differently.  I enjoy Matt H's performance.  I was sorry he didn't come out of the stage door after the show last night.

ETA Derek was indeed feeling poorly on Friday night and his nose is actually fractured.  That's probably what kept him away from the stage door after the afternoons show.

-- Edited by Eris at 18:26, 2008-08-17

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I'm sure all the actors do their best to get to the stage door.  But, sometimes you have appointments and things to get done, so you just can't be there all the time, I'm sure.


-- Edited by Wish I Knew It All at 20:32, 2008-08-17

Eris wrote:

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Tuesday night during the dance break Ashley went to put her arm around Derek and accidentally ended up elbowing him right in the nose. They finished the show even though his nose was bleeding. He has a pretty decent gash right across the bridge of his nose.

I've seen Derek and Ashley at the stage door twice and they weren't together either time. On their opening night Derek came out first followed by Ashley much later. Derek had guests last night and Ashley came out first with Derek coming out later.

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Thanks for the info, Eris!  I'm sure that they both try their best to get to the stage door if they can.

 

Kristen wrote:

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Greasefan, I'm glad that you had a good trip, but I'm sorry that you didn't get to meet Ashley and Derek. I wonder if it had to do with Derek being sick the day before. Maybe he had to rest for the night performance.

When Ashley was in "Hairspray," she connected with the audience wonderfully! She also did so well with this on the "Grease" TV show.


-- Edited by Kristen at 19:22, 2008-08-17

-- Edited by Kristen at 19:50, 2008-08-17

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Kristen, I would agree with you that Ashley has the ability to connect, I just felt Laura did a better job. I know Ashley was acting the "shy Sandy" in 3/4 of the play, but I just felt like she was avoiding the audience by looking away from us or by looking down too much. I do love Ashley overall; after all, she was my first choice in YTOTIW.

Ray, I think you got it. I would not consider Ashley shy (from what I saw on the TV show) and I do believe that she may be working at it too much. She is still new in the role. In due time, she'll nail it; practice makes perfect!

I have been glued to my TV watching the Olympics and haven't been on much so I am just catching up on my reading. I enjoy reading everyone's opinion about Ashley's portrayal of Sandy. You can certainly tell those who love her and have know her their whole lives. Their words fairly glow. But the TV show was a year and a half ago and Ashley is way beyond that. Hairspray did so much for her and her confidence. I don't know how you can base someone's acting ability on one skit that was aired on the TV show. Anyway, Ashley has the job now and she will only get better at it.