My visit to Grease on Broadway

Broadway Dude · Veteran Member

RE: My visit to Grease on Broadway

Eris · Guru

He co-wrote it

Mama Grande · Senior Member

...along with Warren Casey.

Just Dandy · Veteran Member

Who is dead now.

Suddenly_Sandy · Veteran Member

By the way Ray, any news on Max? Does he have a job offer yet? I know how much you love Max and thought you might know something.

greasefan · Senior Member

Arthur wrote:

Interesting, Jim Jacobs saw the show last weekend and he had nothing but good things to say about her Sandy. I guess it just depends on who's watching. By the way Greasefan you didn't say anything about Sexy Sandy. What did you think of Ashey's portrayal?

I, honestly loved Ashley more than Laura on GYTOTIW. They both were great and I wasn't disappointed when Laura won. My attention was to see Max to the end.

I never said Ashley did a poor acting job; I just think she didn't have the power Laura did of getting the audience involved in her character. Ashley is a beautiful and talented actress.

Her sexy Sandy role is so short and I did notice more exuberance in that role.

Bottom line, in the end, I truly would've loved to see Max and Ashley together!

greasefan · Senior Member

greasefan wrote:

Kristen wrote:

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

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.

In my review I said I couldn't decide who did a better job, because Laura and Ashley are both unique and brought different things to the role; I still stand to that. When I said in the above post that Laura did a better job, that is strictly a comment regarding the ability to connect with the audience. I saw more facial expressions with Laura because she faced us more often.

I still wonder why she didn't come out to sign autographs. Was she not feeling well? This could effect her acting, right?

pinkfan · Senior Member

Thanks for the post Greasefan, I have no idea why Ashley didn't come out after the matinee.
You are right, I am sure they both bring something different to the role of Sandy. Ashley did the same with Amber, brought something different to the character. In that case, she was comical which I think in the long run will be her forte. It is interisting that you mention Laura's facial expressions because during Ashley's run in Hairspray that is what people noticed about her too. Jerry Seinfeld came back stage to talk to Ashley after the show he attended and asked her how old she was. She told him 23 and he said 'you have a great sense of comedic timing, good work." A lot of that has to do with her facials.

greasefan · Senior Member

I wish I saw her in Hairspray! I do live close to Baltimore, I don't know why I never made it up to NYC for Hairspray! I keep wanting to see Grease over and over (which is driving my family crazy)!

pinkfan · Senior Member

I want to see Jersey Boys next. I suppose I will have to wait for an occasion. I am still paying for the trip I took to NY in June. I saw In the Heights, Gypsy and Hairspray. Gypsy was my least favorite that time.

StockardFan · Senior Member

greasefan, I didn't know you lived near Baltimore? I'm from Virginia!

Kristen · Guru

pinkfan wrote:

I want to see Jersey Boys next. I suppose I will have to wait for an occasion. I am still paying for the trip I took to NY in June. I saw In the Heights, Gypsy and Hairspray. Gypsy was my least favorite that time.

Pinkfan, did you like "In the Heights?" I'm seeing it the day after I see "Grease." My friend really wanted to see it.

greasefan · Senior Member

StockardFan wrote:

greasefan, I didn't know you lived near Baltimore? I'm from Virginia!

We are neighbors!

Eris · Guru

Michael Phelps is on TV and he said he just bought a new house in Baltimore. Wonder if he;ll be near you greasfan.

Kristen · Guru

Eris wrote:

Michael Phelps is on TV and he said he just bought a new house in Baltimore. Wonder if he;ll be near you greasfan.

All of us in that area will be visiting him in his new home! Once he moves in, of course!

Mama Grande · Senior Member

He purchased it in Fells Point, a neighborhood in Baltimore, MD.

greasefan · Senior Member

I will try my hardest to meet Michael Phelps! He is a great role model; every race he was in, I made sure my kids watched. My son enjoys swimming, but didn't understand it's a sport until now!

I loved seeing the corner billboard of Phelps in Times Square!

Kristen · Guru

I wonder if there will be a parade when he returns to Baltimore! :)

greasefan · Senior Member

It is already planned.. I have insider info!

Kristen · Guru

greasefan wrote:

It is already planned.. I have insider info!

Glad that they are having one for him! He definitely deserves it!

greasefan · Senior Member

Mama Grande wrote:

He purchased it in Fells Point, a neighborhood in Baltimore, MD.

He supposedly won't live far from Jenna Bush! Needless to say, I won't be able to afford in this neighborhood!

Kristen · Guru

pinkfan wrote:

Thanks for the post Greasefan, I have no idea why Ashley didn't come out after the matinee.
You are right, I am sure they both bring something different to the role of Sandy. Ashley did the same with Amber, brought something different to the character. In that case, she was comical which I think in the long run will be her forte. It is interisting that you mention Laura's facial expressions because during Ashley's run in Hairspray that is what people noticed about her too. Jerry Seinfeld came back stage to talk to Ashley after the show he attended and asked her how old she was. She told him 23 and he said 'you have a great sense of comedic timing, good work." A lot of that has to do with her facials.

That's so cool that Jerry Seinfeld is an Ashley fan! We Ashley fans are in great company!

What he told Ashley is very impressive! Ashley has a wonderful future ahead of her!

I am confident that she will continue to have a fabulous acting career!

Ray · Senior Member

Suddenly_Sandy wrote:

By the way Ray, any news on Max? Does he have a job offer yet? I know how much you love Max and thought you might know something.

I only know what I read on Max's site, which isn't much. After Labor Day, he will be meeting with "people" to strategize his future. I like the sound of that.

Ray · Senior Member

greasefan wrote:

Bottom line, in the end, I truly would've loved to see Max and Ashley together!

Toward the end of the tv show, I knew that Max and Ashley could not play those roles together. She's a big girl, and he would have looked like her kid brother.

Kristen · Guru

Ray wrote:

greasefan wrote:

Bottom line, in the end, I truly would've loved to see Max and Ashley together!

Toward the end of the tv show, I knew that Max and Ashley could not play those roles together. She's a big girl, and he would have looked like her kid brother.

Ashley could act with anyone! She and Max did awesome together on "It Takes Two!" And they were also great together in "(I've Had) The Time of My Life." If Ashley had won, they would have done just fine together!

Shadi Ladi · Guru

Ray wrote:
greasefan wrote:

Bottom line, in the end, I truly would've loved to see Max and Ashley together!

Toward the end of the tv show, I knew that Max and Ashley could not play those roles together. She's a big girl, and he would have looked like her kid brother.

Ray...your hilarious! "Big Girl". Maybe "Tall Girl", but definitely not "Big Girl." lol

Kristen · Guru

Shadi Ladi wrote:

Ray...your hilarious! "Big Girl". Maybe "Tall Girl", but definitely not "Big Girl." lol

Good point, Shadi! Ashley is very thin!!!!

Shadi Ladi · Guru

Kristen wrote:
Shadi Ladi wrote:

Ray...your hilarious! "Big Girl". Maybe "Tall Girl", but definitely not "Big Girl." lol

Good point, Shadi! Ashley is very thin!!!!

Yep, she is skinny, skinny, skinny.....

Ray · Senior Member

OK....Ashley is a tall, skinny girl, and on the Brooks Atkinson stage, Max would have looked like her kid brother. They got away with it on the tv show because of the expert camera work. The panel made it perfectly clear that they wanted the Max/Laura combo. We can only surmise their reasons.

Buzzy Bee · Veteran Member

Ray wrote:

OK....Ashley is a tall, skinny girl, and on the Brooks Atkinson stage, Max would have looked like her kid brother. They got away with it on the tv show because of the expert camera work. The panel made it perfectly clear that they wanted the Max/Laura combo. We can only surmise their reasons.

Expert camera work...lol!

I remember the cameraman dropping the camera during one scene when Ashley was performing. The camera went rolling on the floor. We couldn't believe it. It was shown on the live feed on the East Coast, but was edited on the West Coast show. Does anyone else remember this?

-- Edited by Buzzy Bee at 04:42, 2008-08-20

greasefan · Senior Member

Buzzy Bee, I guess you can't remember which song it was during? I don't remember that happening; however, can't say it didn't happen. I missed (I think the first half hour) of the night when Max sang "Can you feel the love tonight." I think "I've had the time of my life" was also that evening.

I love watching bloopers. Too bad I missed that!

Eris · Guru

I recall the camera incident. I think it was on "Elvis/Soul" night

Can You Feel the Love Tonight was on ALW Night and Time of My Life was at the finals.

-- Edited by Eris at 05:24, 2008-08-20

Shadi Ladi · Guru

Eris wrote:
I recall the camera incident. I think it was on "Elvis/Soul" night

Can You Feel the Love Tonight was on ALW Night and Time of My Life was at the finals.

-- Edited by Eris at 05:24, 2008-08-20

I remember that happening too!! I am an Ashley fan so my phone starting ringing off the hook. Everyone was shocked! It was during Ashley's performance, but I, too, can't remember which one.

Eris · Guru

You Keep Me Hangin' On from "Elvis/Soul" night. Camera drop happens about 13 seconds into the song.

Shadi Ladi · Guru

You are good Eris. Had no idea there was a record of this...lol

Look really close at Ashley's face after the camera gets back on her. It almost looks like she knew that it happened....lol. I bet one of the audience hand clappers knocked it out of the cameraman's hands.

-- Edited by Shadi Ladi at 05:33, 2008-08-20

-- Edited by Shadi Ladi at 05:46, 2008-08-20

Eris · Guru

I wasn't sure if it was on youtube. If I hadn't found it I was just going to pull up that episode and check it out to make sure I was remembering correctly.

Shadi Ladi · Guru

Eris wrote:
I wasn't sure if it was on youtube. If I hadn't found it I was just going to pull up that episode and check it out to make sure I was remembering correctly.

Thanks for that link. I was able to click on the bottom right and see most of Ashley's performances combined. What a refresher!

Eris · Guru

I watch the episodes from time to time whenever I need a little "pick-me-up". The show itself was such a wonderful experience for me that just watching even a little bit of an episode just brings a smile to my face. I had so many great experiences, made so many great friends, and met so many new people just because of the show. If I'm having a yucky day or am feeling a bit down I just fire one up and I feel good again.

Though, I have to admit, I have trouble watching the finals episode in its entirety. I can only watch bits and pieces of it. lol

Kristen · Guru

I still maintain that Ashley and Max would have been fine together! We can agree that it wasn't just the expert camera work then!

And I also love to rewatch the whole series! I love the beginning episodes too! Ashley's excitement when she gets to go to Grease Academy is adorable! I love where Billy Bush interviews her, and she tells him that she gets to go!

It really was a fun show! And now that Ashley is getting the chance to be "Sandy," I am especially happy!

StockardFan · Senior Member

I wish I had had tivo when it was on.

Broadway Dude · Veteran Member

Kristen wrote:

I still maintain that Ashley and Max would have been fine together! We can agree that it wasn't just the expert camera work then!

And I also love to rewatch the whole series! I love the beginning episodes too! Ashley's excitement when she gets to go to Grease Academy is adorable! I love where Billy Bush interviews her, and she tells him that she gets to go! It really was a fun show! And now that Ashley is getting the chance to be "Sandy," I am especially happy!

You nailed it Kristen! Ashley and Max would have been great together onstage. I have no clue what Ray is referring to. His TV must make people look different....lol. Go back and look at their duet Ray...I'm sure you will change your mind about that. They lit up the stage and people are still talking about that duet (even nonAshley and nonMax fans). Great chemistry between the two of them.

Hey Ray..do you still have rabbitt ears on that TV? You're gonna have to change that soon you know? Just kidding Ray...don't get mad at me.

Ray · Senior Member

Making fun of my rabbitt ears, are you!!!! They work just fine! The black and white picture is little snowy, but I can make out who's who....except for all those blondes.

Just Dandy · Veteran Member

You only look at Max anyway Ray.

Just Dandy · Veteran Member

I sure hope Max gets a job soon so you have something to talk about Ray.

greasefan · Senior Member

Eris, great investigative work! I did see Ashley perform with the camera mishap, I just thought it was the camera man putting the camera down to early before switching to another one!

After I posted, I went to bed and I realized that I had seen "I've had the time of my life"! You have a better memory than I, I will give you that!!!

Eris · Guru

Once upon a time I could name every song used in the live episodes. I don't know if I can do it anymore though

Ray · Senior Member

So, one little mishap negates a whole season of work by the camera crew!!!! It didn't hurt that monotonous song much, unless it upset Ashley, which it didn't seem to.

Max was born for the camera. It's because of the expert camera work, in his performances and the reality segments, that he walked off with the show. His impact on camera did not translate to the Broadway stage, however. Like the rest of the cast, he was competent. He did not have the presence, inventiveness or electricity of a stage star. He was helped in his portrayal of the mighty Danny Zuko by having little Laura next to him. Tall, skinny Ashley would have made it impossible for him to achieve any semblance of believability.

pinkfan · Senior Member

The camera man you are talking about was sitting on a chair with the camera in his lap. He stood up to get his angle as Ashley walked on and the camera dropped to the floor. Ashley saw what happed and looked forward. There were no people around the camera man.

pinkfan · Senior Member

Ray wrote:
So, one little mishap negates a whole season of work by the camera crew!!!! It didn't hurt that monotonous song much, unless it upset Ashley, which it didn't seem to.

Max was born for the camera. It's because of the expert camera work, in his performances and the reality segments, that he walked off with the show. His impact on camera did not translate to the Broadway stage, however. Like the rest of the cast, he was competent. He did not have the presence, inventiveness or electricity of a stage star. He was helped in his portrayal of the mighty Danny Zuko by having little Laura next to him. Tall, skinny Ashley would have made it impossible for him to achieve any semblance of believability.

What is going to determine how good Max is will be what he does going forward.

Eris · Guru

I wouldn't call the camera work on the show "expert:. More like shoddy and haphazard. "Let's get a closeup of a tire while the guys are performing!" I don't know if I ever brought it up here but I know I mentioned it on the NBC board that I always felt the production values of the show left much to be desired.