Well, my friend, it was a very bitter-sweet evening. I spoke with Derek and Ashley before the show, and they were, of course, sad, but ready to go out with a bang, which they did.
The crowd was a sell out, and the audience was filled with friends and family of the cast members. I met Ace Young's mom, who is a very classy, sweet woman, and had a nice chat with Derek's girlfriend. It was fun watching the show with other people who are close to it, and to cheer our friends and close ones throughout.
The cast treated us to many surprises during the performance by tossoing in many new gags. The best was when Eugene grabbed Patti Simcox ans gave her a huge smooch on the lips. The look on Alsion's face was worth the price of the ticket alone! She was totally surprised and it showed on her face. Of course, the audience roared when it happened.
During the "Sandra Dee" reprise near the end of the show, poor Ashley was overcome by her lyric "Good-bye to Sandra Dee", and began to sob. She couldn't sing the last word of the song, waved to the audience and exited.
She was back on her game for the finale, and she and Derek blew the doors off of the Brooks Atkinson!
After the final bows, the cast brought the techicians and other backstage folks onto the stage. It was also a personal thrill to see Laura Osnes again, looking radiant and beautiful as always. Once she finally let me go from her embrace, we had an enjoyable reunion. She also joined the cast on stage, as did many of the original cast members. It was good to see Jose Restropo in the house. He is walking with a cane, but looks grat and says he will be ready to perform again soon.
After the show there was a party at Trecolore restaurant, next doot to the theatre. I had several really lovely chats with folks, particularly Steven Buntrock (Teen Angel), whose wife had sent him a dozen gorgeous long-stem roses, several chorus people, Kristen Wyatt, and, of course, Mr. Derek Keeling.
I left early, and Derek and I made plans to stay in touch and meet the next time I'm in NYC.
I also had a chance to meet FonZuko last night; a very nice guy.
That the news what is the news, kids. I'll miss the show, but will maintain my friendships with Derek and Ashley.
Grease for Peace!
__________________
To all: Long runs, great reviews and multiple curtain calls to all!!
Peter
Well, my friend, it was a very bitter-sweet evening. I spoke with Derek and Ashley before the show, and they were, of course, sad, but ready to go out with a bang, which they did.
The crowd was a sell out, and the audience was filled with friends and family of the cast members. I met Ace Young's mom, who is a very classy, sweet woman, and had a nice chat with Derek's girlfriend. It was fun watching the show with other people who are close to it, and to cheer our friends and close ones throughout.
The cast treated us to many surprises during the performance by tossoing in many new gags. The best was when Eugene grabbed Patti Simcox ans gave her a huge smooch on the lips. The look on Alsion's face was worth the price of the ticket alone! She was totally surprised and it showed on her face. Of course, the audience roared when it happened.
During the "Sandra Dee" reprise near the end of the show, poor Ashley was overcome by her lyric "Good-bye to Sandra Dee", and began to sob. She couldn't sing the last word of the song, waved to the audience and exited.
She was back on her game for the finale, and she and Derek blew the doors off of the Brooks Atkinson!
After the final bows, the cast brought the techicians and other backstage folks onto the stage. It was also a personal thrill to see Laura Osnes again, looking radiant and beautiful as always. Once she finally let me go from her embrace, we had an enjoyable reunion. She also joined the cast on stage, as did many of the original cast members. It was good to see Jose Restropo in the house. He is walking with a cane, but looks grat and says he will be ready to perform again soon.
After the show there was a party at Trecolore restaurant, next doot to the theatre. I had several really lovely chats with folks, particularly Steven Buntrock (Teen Angel), whose wife had sent him a dozen gorgeous long-stem roses, several chorus people, Kristen Wyatt, and, of course, Mr. Derek Keeling.
I left early, and Derek and I made plans to stay in touch and meet the next time I'm in NYC.
I also had a chance to meet FonZuko last night; a very nice guy.
That the news what is the news, kids. I'll miss the show, but will maintain my friendships with Derek and Ashley.
Well, my friend, it was a very bitter-sweet evening. I spoke with Derek and Ashley before the show, and they were, of course, sad, but ready to go out with a bang, which they did.
The crowd was a sell out, and the audience was filled with friends and family of the cast members. I met Ace Young's mom, who is a very classy, sweet woman, and had a nice chat with Derek's girlfriend. It was fun watching the show with other people who are close to it, and to cheer our friends and close ones throughout.
The cast treated us to many surprises during the performance by tossoing in many new gags. The best was when Eugene grabbed Patti Simcox ans gave her a huge smooch on the lips. The look on Alsion's face was worth the price of the ticket alone! She was totally surprised and it showed on her face. Of course, the audience roared when it happened.
During the "Sandra Dee" reprise near the end of the show, poor Ashley was overcome by her lyric "Good-bye to Sandra Dee", and began to sob. She couldn't sing the last word of the song, waved to the audience and exited.
She was back on her game for the finale, and she and Derek blew the doors off of the Brooks Atkinson!
After the final bows, the cast brought the techicians and other backstage folks onto the stage. It was also a personal thrill to see Laura Osnes again, looking radiant and beautiful as always. Once she finally let me go from her embrace, we had an enjoyable reunion. She also joined the cast on stage, as did many of the original cast members. It was good to see Jose Restropo in the house. He is walking with a cane, but looks grat and says he will be ready to perform again soon.
After the show there was a party at Trecolore restaurant, next doot to the theatre. I had several really lovely chats with folks, particularly Steven Buntrock (Teen Angel), whose wife had sent him a dozen gorgeous long-stem roses, several chorus people, Kristen Wyatt, and, of course, Mr. Derek Keeling.
I left early, and Derek and I made plans to stay in touch and meet the next time I'm in NYC.
I also had a chance to meet FonZuko last night; a very nice guy.
That the news what is the news, kids. I'll miss the show, but will maintain my friendships with Derek and Ashley.
Grease for Peace!
Thank you for your post Zeus; that was awesome to know that the one and only Laura Osnes was there-----and without a doubt I'm sure she was radiant and beautiful Oh and Jose! That would've been such a fun time, for sure. That's great that you went to Trecolori, fun times I'm sure!! Oh, don't you LOVE Stephen Buntrock?? He made the show, he was an awesome Teen Angel! And amazingly nice and fun to talk with, he was a real highlight of this experience for me. I've been kicking myself for not getting to see it with Ace; I've heard he is FANTASTIC. I did get to meet him though, and what a great, nice, wonderful down to earth guy he is!!! Loved reading your review, thank you and have a nice day Dana
Well, my friend, it was a very bitter-sweet evening. I spoke with Derek and Ashley before the show, and they were, of course, sad, but ready to go out with a bang, which they did.
The crowd was a sell out, and the audience was filled with friends and family of the cast members. I met Ace Young's mom, who is a very classy, sweet woman, and had a nice chat with Derek's girlfriend. It was fun watching the show with other people who are close to it, and to cheer our friends and close ones throughout.
The cast treated us to many surprises during the performance by tossoing in many new gags. The best was when Eugene grabbed Patti Simcox ans gave her a huge smooch on the lips. The look on Alsion's face was worth the price of the ticket alone! She was totally surprised and it showed on her face. Of course, the audience roared when it happened.
During the "Sandra Dee" reprise near the end of the show, poor Ashley was overcome by her lyric "Good-bye to Sandra Dee", and began to sob. She couldn't sing the last word of the song, waved to the audience and exited.
She was back on her game for the finale, and she and Derek blew the doors off of the Brooks Atkinson!
After the final bows, the cast brought the techicians and other backstage folks onto the stage. It was also a personal thrill to see Laura Osnes again, looking radiant and beautiful as always. Once she finally let me go from her embrace, we had an enjoyable reunion. She also joined the cast on stage, as did many of the original cast members. It was good to see Jose Restropo in the house. He is walking with a cane, but looks grat and says he will be ready to perform again soon.
After the show there was a party at Trecolore restaurant, next doot to the theatre. I had several really lovely chats with folks, particularly Steven Buntrock (Teen Angel), whose wife had sent him a dozen gorgeous long-stem roses, several chorus people, Kristen Wyatt, and, of course, Mr. Derek Keeling.
I left early, and Derek and I made plans to stay in touch and meet the next time I'm in NYC.
I also had a chance to meet FonZuko last night; a very nice guy.
That the news what is the news, kids. I'll miss the show, but will maintain my friendships with Derek and Ashley.
Grease for Peace!
So glad to hear your statement that "Ashley and Derek" blew the doors off the Brooks Atkison! Great closing for a great show!
Thanks Zeus for your account of last nights show. I am sure that Goodby to Sandra Dee was a bit too literal to take, not only that but Hairspray closing on the same day, it is a lot to process. Did Ashley or Derek happen to mention what might be next for them? What is Laura Osnes doing now? Is she in a show? Well, thanks again.
To those of you who asked various questions in your responses to my original post:
Laura did not say what was next for her, and she did indeed look spectacular in a gorgeous black dress that looked as if it had been built on her;
Asheley told me she is "working" on getting new projects moving;
Derek hinted he may go to L.A., but I told himt that he was now a certifiable star on Broadway and that he will now get more respect from casting agents.
I was quite surprised and honestly upset that neither Kathleen Marshal nor David Ian bothered to attend the performance. The last time I was in a show, the composer, lyricist, director and producers were in attendance, and joined us on stage; some of them addressed the audience and thanked them for making the show a long-running success.
Thank you all for your interest in my ramblings, and to those who sent private messages in support.
Peter
__________________
To all: Long runs, great reviews and multiple curtain calls to all!!
Peter
To those of you who asked various questions in your responses to my original post:
Laura did not say what was next for her, and she did indeed look spectacular in a gorgeous black dress that looked as if it had been built on her;
Asheley told me she is "working" on getting new projects moving;
Derek hinted he may go to L.A., but I told himt that he was now a certifiable star on Broadway and that he will now get more respect from casting agents.
I was quite surprised and honestly upset that neither Kathleen Marshal nor David Ian bothered to attend the performance. The last time I was in a show, the composer, lyricist, director and producers were in attendance, and joined us on stage; some of them addressed the audience and thanked them for making the show a long-running success.
Thank you all for your interest in my ramblings, and to those who sent private messages in support.
Peter
Thanks for the updates, Peter! I appreciate you sharing your experience! I so wish that I could have been there!
I did indeed go to the party after the curtain. It was really grand, except fot the company manger who kept yelling at people the whole time I was there.
It was a lot of fun, chatting the cast, crew and orchestra mmembers in such a relaxed, festive atmosphere.
BTW, cast members were allowed one guest, most brought spouses, or significant others.
__________________
To all: Long runs, great reviews and multiple curtain calls to all!!
Peter
Yes, Jose went to the party last night. And thank you, I think he is darling too. He is just like a son to me and I am fortunate to have him in my family.
Yes, Jose went to the party last night. And thank you, I think he is darling too. He is just like a son to me and I am fortunate to have him in my family.
I'm glad he was there, I'll bet seeing everyone again was bittersweet.