Grease First Preview Tonight — Page 8

I got 2 mails from Ticket Master today.....

This one is my ticket to Grease ... I wonder howcome they dont have an extra envelop inside like Telecharge?

See ya guys at the Brooks Atkinson on Sept. 16

I wonder what happen to my Young Frankenstein tixs ? I ordered it before this one?

J*

Updated On: 7/31/07 at 12:41 PM

I saw the 2PM performance yesterday.

I arrived early and the theater was comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. The air conditioning had no issues and the ushers were nice. When the play started, the audience was into it from the get go. The audience was composed of all age groups and many fans of the reality show. It started out with a silhouetted flashback of Danny and Sandy making out on the beach. The intimacy of the theater was good and there were never any hearing issues. Every line of dialogue and song verse could be heard. The Grease band was upbeat and the director into her work. The sets were great and I saw no transitioning problems though some other audience members thought there were some minor transition glitches. To me, they set up the scenery pretty fast.

There is no issue with Max's physique. He is filled out enough and from the get go is the "Leader of the Pack." He talks with a "Zuko accent", trying to portray a tough guy. Laura does not get eaten for breakfast by the other cast members. Her portrayal of Sandy is sweet and innocent and spot on. Her voice is terrific and she conveys great emotion just before singing "Hopelessly Devoted." You feel for her in that very sad moment.

Doody and Sonny are played rather well and I like his guitar work. Jose is a good comedian and that is a strength in his character. Kenicke is good, and I wish he had a bigger role. Jenny is brilliant as Rizzo. She is glamorous and you can't take your eyes off her.

"Grease Lightning" is one of the best numbers and the guys really put a lot into their dancing.

I noticed David Ian in the back watching and interacting with the play goers.

"Born to Hand Jive" was choreographed very well. The dancing is fantastic.

In "You're the One That I Want", it is a little awkward. The rest of the cast basically watches Max and Laura peform, while they stand around. Personally, I never liked Sandy having to turn bad to win Danny over. I liked sweet "Sandra Dee" Sandy and how she made Danny not act so tough earlier. Danny Zuko is not a likable character because of the way he treats Sandy.

Max and Laura's talent is on display here and they put everything into this performance. They have what it takes to make it on Broadway. The entire cast is marvelous and that just makes the play work.

I don't want to hear about spacing on the last number. In the movie, they had an entire amusement park in which to dance around.

No SRO or RUSH at all for Grease.

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Glad to be here. Thanks for the warm welcome!

Your review was as negative as mine was postive. It's a value judgement to call either biased!

I don't think reviews matter all that much with this show. If any show were critic proof, I'd say this one is it.

My God! Its the first preview and people are being harsh already.

"My God! Its the first preview and people are being harsh already."

I'm sorry, I must have missed the rule saying people can't be harsh after a first preview.

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I'm sorry, I must have missed the rule saying people can't be harsh after a first preview.

Are they charging discounted prices for these dress rehearsals/previews? I think not. Thus, harshness is allowed if one feels they are not getting value for their money.

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It is a real audience pleaser, I doubt the critics will love it or they might because it does offer a fresh approach to the material.

Fresh approach to the material? Can you please explain? NOTHING that I saw was fresh. It was a jumble of every middle school production of GREASE I've ever seen, only worse, cheaper looking, and more mundane.

What if you put on a show and nobody came? hmmmmm Company, Grey Gardens, Love Musik Critical favs all gone no audience. Hairspray, Mamma Mia, Wicked, Not all grat reviews but still running on broadway.

You clearly have no idea what you're talking about. LOVEMUSIK was not a critical favorite. Otherwise it would have received a nod for Best Musical.

HAIRSPRAY received flat out RAVES.

MAMMA MIA's reviews were surprisingly positive, mostly due to the historical period in time that it opened.

So your attempt at logic doesn't fly.

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Welcome back to me I guess. I am glad I could light a small fire under this topic I guess. 1st post and then leave huh? Well, I may be here for the long haul. But we shall see. So Max and Laura are not your favs of the day, Well in the long scope of Broadway actors and actresses, I guess they do have some mighty shoes to fill. Are they at the apex of their careers. i highly doubt it. They are freshmen here on the great white way. And as such. leading a major musical production. I think they deserve a better reception than the self absorbed smug diatrabes that a few probably unemployed envious nth tier talents that are judging their work. Give me a break.

Broadway is supported by tourists. So to appeal to that strategic market how is that a negative thing?

I love lists. They never go out of style.

Those who can DO
Those who can't do Teach
Those who can't teach Criticize.

Pick your line!

Ohhh that felt good.

Now that I have all that off my chest. I can participate in conversation with this eclectric group.

Updated On: 7/28/07 at 06:29 PM

Um, it's:

"Those who can't teach, teach gym." =)

"Those who can't do Teach"

I know MANY people here who will be out for your blood.

Well of course, anyone in America had the opportunity to audition. Why be embittered if some choose not to participate? Lets celebrate the fact that new talent appears on stages all over America every night. Broadway may no longer hold the only avenue to a wonderful stage career. While it is where most of us aspire to perform. But let's get real the world today has many more stages and avenues to obtan success.