40 Years Later: The original, R-rated 'Grease' comes home

Posted: 3/22/10 at 12:10pm

"Forty years after its debut at the old Kingston Mines Theatre and after years of sanitation, disco-ization and Hollywood commercialization, the original, Chicago-style, R-rated “Grease” is coming back to its hometown....American Theater Company artistic director PJ Paparelli and “Grease” co-creator Jim Jacobs both said this weekend that they plan to stage the restored original version of “Grease” on Chicago’s North Side in the spring of 2011.

That means using the original song “Foster Beach” instead of the Hollywood confection “Summer Nights.” It means the sultry “Kiss It” in place of “Hopelessly Devoted to You” (as recorded by Olivia Newton-John). It means the restoration of the show’s numerous local references to the Palmer House Hotel, Lake Shore Drive, the Carnival Drive-In and the Cook County Forest Preserves, the locale for much illicit teenage revelry."
Theater Loop

[Kad]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 12:13pm

I wish I could see this. I've always been curious about the original incarnation of Grease, mainly to see how different it was from the increasingly watered-down versions.

[best12bars]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 12:20pm

"That means using the original song “Foster Beach” instead of the Hollywood confection “Summer Nights.” "

Summer Nights was in the original Broadway production as well, not just the movie.

Cool idea, though!

[AvenueQResident]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 12:26pm

The main version of 'Grease' is still a bit...

"You know that ain't no s*** we'll be getting lots of t**."

[WOSQ]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 1:11pm

One day, a Wednesday matinee, probably in about 1976 when I was doing sub work backstage, the original run of Grease had a "clean" day and signs were posted to that effect backstage and it was announced at half hour, 15 and 5 as well as places.

"Today is Clean Day." I'm not making this up you know.

You see, there were representatives from the British Consulate or some such attending a performance to ascertain if Grease was a proper show for the Queen's younger two sons (Andrew and Edward, teen-agers at the time) to see at a future date. They had to take out every ribald aside and some dialogue.

The show must have passed muster because a few months later, there were blurbs in the paper that the Princelings had attended. I have no idea if they saw the real Grease or the clean one.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 1:16pm

Probably became "you know that ain't no stuff, you'll be gettin't lotsa' muff..." since the slang is different for the Brits.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 1:19pm

I just read about this today. I'm definitely going to give it a visit.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 1:39pm

Most definitely will be making the trek to see this.

I was fortunate to attend a dinner party several years ago that Marilu Henner was also at and she spoke to me about that original pre-New York Chicago production where she created/originated the role of Marty. She was a Chicago based actress around that time and did quite a bit of Chicago theatre.

She was approached to recreate her Marty for the Off-Broadway production but she thought the show wouldn't have any life in New York as it was too Chicago-specific, etc. After the show's enormous success after it transferred to Broadway in 1972, she regretted turning that down as it could have given her the chance to originate the role in the original Broadway cast. Katie Hanley ended-up originating Marty.

Marilu later joined the national tour of GREASE playing her role: Marty (alongside little Johnny Travolta playing Roger in the tour) and eventually took over the role as a replacement Marty on Broadway.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 3:10pm

I would love to see this!

Posted: 3/22/10 at 3:13pm

The Theater involved is quite good- they just did a great production of Hedwig and also were responsible for the "Urinetown Prequel".

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 4:25pm

I've always wanted to go to Chicago. This might be the excuse I need to get out there, finally.

Posted: 3/22/10 at 6:54pm

When you do, Jordan, be sure to tell us so we can do one of those "What not to miss in Chicago" threads!

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 7:24pm

ATC did a play about Jonestown a few years ago (I'm blanking on the name) that was really gripping. I haven't seen anything since their artistic staff shakeup, but I totally going to see this.

[ifuweregay93]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 8:37pm

Defentally gonna be checking this out! Just one more reason to love living in Chicago!

[romgitsean]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 9:09pm

Ahh this is so cool :) I hope it tours or something. I'd love to catch it.

[Globefan]

Posted: 3/22/21 at 12:08am

The next time Grease is revived, it should be the Chicago version. 

[joevitus]

Posted: 3/22/21 at 2:01am

JoeKv99 said: ""Forty years after its debut at the old Kingston Mines Theatre and after years of sanitation, disco-ization and Hollywood commercialization, the original, Chicago-style, R-rated “Grease” is coming back to its hometown....American Theater Company artistic director PJ Paparelli and “Grease” co-creator Jim Jacobs both said this weekend that they plan to stage the restored original version of “Grease” on Chicago’s North Side in the spring of 2011.

That means using the original song “Foster Beach” instead of the Hollywood confection “Summer Nights.” It means the sultry “Kiss It” in place of “Hopelessly Devoted to You” (as recorded by Olivia Newton-John). It means the restoration of the show’s numerous local references to the Palmer House Hotel, Lake Shore Drive, the Carnival Drive-In and the Cook County Forest Preserves, the locale for much illicit teenage revelry.""

Actually, "Kiss It" replaces "All Shook Up" which was replaced by "You're the One That I Want" in the movie.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 3/22/21 at 10:52am

joevitus said: "JoeKv99 said: ""Forty years after its debut at the old Kingston Mines Theatre and after years of sanitation, disco-ization and Hollywood commercialization, the original, Chicago-style, R-rated “Grease” is coming back to its hometown....American Theater Company artistic director PJ Paparelli and “Grease” co-creator Jim Jacobs both said this weekend that they plan to stage the restored original version of “Grease” on Chicago’s North Side in the spring of 2011.

That means using the original song “Foster Beach” instead of the Hollywood confection “Summer Nights.” It means the sultry “Kiss It” in place of “Hopelessly Devoted to You” (as recorded by Olivia Newton-John). It means the restoration of the show’s numerous local references to the Palmer House Hotel, Lake Shore Drive, the Carnival Drive-In and the Cook County Forest Preserves, the locale for much illicit teenage revelry.""

Actually, "Kiss It" replaces "All Shook Up" which was replaced by "You're the One That I Want" in the movie."

"All Shook Up"? I think you meant "All CHOKED Up"

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 3/23/21 at 11:53am

delete. Didn't realize this was a 10 year old thread that had been bumped

Updated On: 3/23/21 at 11:53 AM