Grease First Preview Tonight- Page 5

[ben4]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 12:52am

I don't want to sound ignorant, but isn't it possible that this shows future really only rests on whether or not it manages to sell a lot of tickets?

From the sounds of it, it seems most of the non-regular theatre goers ate it up with a spoon...

Hell if Mary Poppins can make money, this should have no problem sticking around for quite awhile.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 12:54am

Well, I am a theatre regular and I enjoyed it. Guess I'll turn in my badge. And gladly so.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 12:54am

The bottom line is, it doesn't matter a damn how this board or theater critics receive this show, this show is as close to critic proof as you can get. Tourists will easily keep this production open.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 12:54am

ben4, based on the audience reaction tonight, it will be a hit.

[ben4]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 12:58am

ahh, so i win this round...

and I'm relieved to know that I don't have to rush out to see Grease any time soon.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 12:58am

I want to know who the lady was in the lobby tonight complaining that she made her vacation plans around seeing the opening of GREASE and was mad at the dishonesty of the producers calling tonight's show the "opening" when it wasn't.

Stupid. She asked a hundred times what the different between a preview and an opening is and complained that "she was glad to see the show, but wished they were honest about which show she was seeing." She was also upset that, "Olivia Newton John would be there for the opening. And this wasn't the opening."

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 1:01am

I've heard more than one person complain about this. Blaming the producers for not making it clear that this was previews and not opening night.

One person actually told me, "well I'm not a big theater freak so I didn't know all the fancy theater terms."

Erm... sorry you're an ignorant fool?

I never ever saw this billed as opening night anywhere.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 1:04am

I mean, I think this is even more special.

Their Broadway debut! The moment you were waiting for during the course of the show. This is it!

"I know. But they were dishonest about it."

...With their southern accents and gowns.

[ben4]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 1:05am

I don't see why anyone would care. Just be happy you have enough money to see it in the first place. There are people who live their whole lives without actually getting to see a broadway show. Does it really matter wether it's the first preview or opening night?

[greatwhiteway2]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 1:11am

I saw the preview tonight, and had a great time. I paid my 111 dollars, as well as the 111 dollars for my 2 kids going into it knowing I was there for fun, and I was not disappointed. While she was excellent Jenny Powers nowhere stole the show. She had a large contigent of fans there as was evidenced by the loud applause she got before she spoke more than a line or two. The actors playing Roger and Sonny were outstanding. Everidge's "Mooning" was especially entertaining,and Restrapo was very funny with excellent timing and delivery. I also thought the choreography could be a bit more interesting, but it was good and there was plenty of it. That's where I think the guys sweat came from. I saw a couple of them discretely wipe their brows when they were in the background. The musical director was great, Anyone who could make Grease sound new and exciting like she did deserves a Tony. Regardless of how Max got the lead role the audience loved him and the show. The show was fun and left most people with a great feeling. I think that's why the actors got a standing ovation at the end.

[showinoff]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 1:15am

Ok.. so I am much later than you to post. Here we go!

Overall, it is a preview, and I hope that there is more to come. I agree with WAT. Marshalls choreography had me so giddy in Pajama Game, but this production, thus far, did not. I did however go in with an open mind and enjoy it.

Laura.. good for you! You were so sweet and engaging on stage. I wish you the best. As far as Max goes, I thought he did a fine job as Danny. We knew months ago that he was not the best Danny for the job, but neither was Austin. (It is the pink ladies not the pink danny.. we gotta believe that Danny wants Dandy not Doody).

I agree Powers was directed to play Rizzo a little too dyke for me. I like the girl, but this was not a Rizzo I cared about. She did stand out in talent, though sadly misdirected. The ensemble was just...ok. I just was underwhelmed. I hope that there are many revisions before the opening.

I missed Sam Harris, actually, I missed any guy who can sing "Those Magic Changes" well. I really love that number and...it was not there tonight. The sets were there, but seemed too large for the space. I liked the idea, but it just did not seem to make sense.

I will see this show again once it opens, but thus far... needs work. It will play, if not on name and popularity alone. I look forward to the changes and hope to be impressed with them. As far as the TV side of it... Well, let's just hope that this show will be the stepping block to some young children, to inspire them to watch theatre the way that we all once did. We gotta start somewhere!

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 1:28am

So I guess there is no nudity or partial nudity?
I wonder about Max's body.
The show will probably sell whatever the REAL reviewers think.
Good Luck to the Cast and Crew.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 1:49am

Yup.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 1:59am

I saw the set designs online and they actually look great. I wish more shows would post their set designs. And the "cartoon" looking curtain looks very hip. So, the bands above the stage the whole time? Is there no orchestra pit?

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 2:06am

"So, the bands above the stage the whole time? Is there no orchestra pit?"

Yes, that is correct. The band is above the stage the whole show...and works quite well.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 2:11am

Yeah. I see what people mean about it feeling "cramped" but the sets actually look pretty "hip" in concept.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 4:57am

The musical director was great, Anyone who could make Grease sound new and exciting like she did deserves a Tony.

The woman whose ass was displayed to the audience the whole night (nice ass, by the way) did not arrange the orchestrations, nor was she even conducting. She was standing there as a part of the entertainment, banging her hands out to the beat. Her purpose was to get the audience excited every time the orchestra was shown (it worked). A Tony? In a season that is going to include an average of 8 musical revivals and 10 new musicals, the idea that this mess could receive any Tony nominations is laughable.

Regardless of how Max got the lead role the audience loved him and the show. The show was fun and left most people with a great feeling. I think that's why the actors got a standing ovation at the end.

The actors got a "standing ovation" because most audience members started to get up and leave when the curtain went down. They didn't realize there was a curtain call coming up, and the crew waited too long to bring the curtain back up. That's why people were standing up when the actors finally came out.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 7:12am

hmmm. this is very interesting- Ive read all your review ! I was about to say... that's
what I expect from the show But its still on its 1st preview- I hope it improves,
I will give the show a chance till I see it on 9/15 then I'll made up mind..


Oh my ! I paid $ 80.00 and I'm sitting at the balcony at the last row ! ouch ! I just wish that i dont sit besides all the TV fans yelling at every number (like what they did with the Reality Show ) I can't wait for Yankeefan's review (he'll see the show before me)
and where's Munk ? I miss his postings !

BTW- for posting your review... Is the playbill that Grease logo ?

J*






Updated On: 7/25/07 at 07:12 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 7:26am

Foster - Well that's Kim Grigsby for 'ya. She steals every show she's in!

Jaystarr - A week from today, you'll have my review.

Anyway, Marshall has said in many interviews that she's "prepared the cast for bad reviews." I guess even she know's it's a stinkeroo. Updated On: 7/25/07 at 07:26 AM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 8:05am

Do you guys have the list of songs from this Revival ? I was just wonderin' what songs were removed and added ? Was Fankie Valli's Grease added ? (title song from the movie- bec. they keep repeating the lyrics... is the word ...is the word ... from the Reality Show )
and Can you guys post the song numbers in order from ACT 1 & ACT 2 ?

Thanks a lot !

J*
Updated On: 7/25/07 at 08:05 AM

[greatwhiteway2]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 8:07am

""That's why people were standing up when the actors finally came out."

No it wasn't. Even ignorant non -theatre go-ers like me and my kids were aware that the cast was coming out.That why I was standing.

Didn't know the lady in the orchestra was acting. Doesn't matter. What I said/think was that anyone who could make Grease music sound new and exciting deserved deserved a Tony. That music was fantastic. Whoever the musical director is deserves a Tony.

Updated On: 7/25/07 at 08:07 AM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 8:13am

There isn't a Tony category for Musical Directors.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 8:26am

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 8:44am

The song list on ibdb is wrong.

This is how it is in the Playbill (and the cover is what Yankee posted):

ACT I

Scene 1: Rydell High - 1959
"Grease" - Company

Scene 2: Cafeteria/School Steps
"Summer Nights" - Danny, Sandy, Company

Scene 3: Locker Room
"Those Magic Changes" - Doody and Company

Scene 4: Marty's Bedroom
"Freddy, My Love" - Marty and Pink Ladies

Scene 5: Street Corner
"Greased Lightnin'" - Kenickie and Guys

Scene 6: Rydell High
"Rydell Fight Song" - Sandy and Patty

Scene 7: Bleachers
"Mooning" - Roger and Jan
"Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee" - Rizzo
"We Go Together" - T-Birds and Pink Ladies

ACT II

Scene 1: School Gym/Sandy's Room
"Shakin' at the High School Hop" - Company
"It's Raining on Prom Night" - Jan and Sandy
"Born to Hand-Jive" - Vince and Company

Scene 2: School Steps
"Hopelessly Devoted to You" - Sandy

Scene 3: Outside Burger Palace
"Beauty School Dropout" - Teen Angel and Girls

Scene 4: Drive-In Movie
"Sandy" - Danny

Scene 5: Jan's Rec Room
"Rock 'n' Roll Party Queen" - Doody and Roger
"There Are Worse Things I Could Do" - Rizzo
"Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee (Reprise)" - Sandy

Scene 6: Inside Burger Palace
"You're the One That I Want" - Danny, Sandy, Company
"We Go Together (Reprise)" - Company
Updated On: 7/25/07 at 08:44 AM

[jaystarr]

Posted: 7/25/07 at 8:51am

Thanks Guys !!

For posting the playbill ( cuz I have a fetish for Playbill ) and the list of songs...

wow ! they included GREASE too & removed the Alma Mater song, huh ?- i wonder how that go ? and added Hopelessly Devoted & You're the One that I Want (of course, that's the name of the Reality Show , duh ! )

Very interesting !!! I guess theyre really capitalizing with the Reality Show ! with pics of the two winners on the Playbill & the added songs..

BTW- Yankee- how did you get that playbill, if you have not seen the show yet and its certainly not up on the Playbill website- Are you sure youre not Riedel? (just kiddin')

J*
Updated On: 7/25/07 at 08:51 AM