Grease scrpt

[TheatreFreak05]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 8:55pm

hey guys! i was reading the script of Grease the musical (got it from my local library) and i have two questions. how come it does not have the songs Stranded at the Drive-Thru, Hopelessly Devoted to You, and You're the One that I Want
also I noticed there is a lot more language than I expected. Did they cut any of the language in the currant Broadway ? I would think so because of the target audience

[lakezurich]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 8:59pm

English please

[phantomo88]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 9:00pm

Yes, they cut the language because they did not want the target audience to see "g-rated" alternatives like Spring Awakening.

[me2]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 9:01pm

There were several songs added to the movie, "Sandy," "Hopelessly Devoted," "Grease," and "You're the One That I Want." I don't know about the "Drive-In" song (I'm really not a GREASE fan).

I have heard that the libretto (the script in musical theatre terms) has been cleaned up of language since its original run. Your libretto may or may not reflect those changes.
Broadway Blog: Trade Secrets: Guiding Principles Inaction

[jwonjy119]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 9:35pm

I think I heard from someone that in the actual Grease musical, they just didn't have "Hopelessly Devoted To You" and You're The One That I Want", but like me2 said, they were added to the movie to make it more appealing to the younger crowds or whatnot.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 9:59pm

Hokay-
The original stage production DID NOT HAVE:
"Grease is the Word," "Hopelessly Devoted to You," "You're the One That I Want," or "Sandy" (Which you are calling 'Stranded at the Drive-In').

These songs were written for the film. The 1993 London revival did incorporate these songs into the stage version, the 1994 Broadway revival did not. The 2007 marks the first official U.S. production with the songs from the film...however many high schools and community theatres will insert "You're the One That I Want."

The langauge, best I can tell, was slightly cleaned up for this revival to make it more "family oriented." However, it is worth pointing out that the 1994 version added a fairly raunchy "Greased Lightning" reprise.

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 10:09pm

Yes, the songs "Grease," "Sandy," "Hopelessly Devoted to You," and "You're the One That I Want" were added for the movie. In addition, the movie got rid of the songs sung by each of the Pink Ladies and Burger Palace Boys (yeah, they're not called the T-Birds). In the original show, Marty's supposed to sing "Freddy My Love," Doody sings "Those Magic Changes," Kenickie (not Danny) sings "Greased Lightning," Roger and Jan sing "Mooning," Sandy and Cha-Cha sing "It's Raining on Prom Night," Danny sings "Alone at a Drive-In Movie," and Roger and Doody sing "Rock & Roll Party Queen." These songs are all featured on the movie soundtrack but just used in the background in the movie (except for "Greased Lightning" naturally). Also, the opening number is the "Alma Mater" and a parody of it, both of which are heard in the movie at one point. The original "naughty Sandy revealed" song is "All Choked Up." Wow, so many changes that I'm exhausted.

I do believe that the current published/licensed script does get rid of some profanity, and there's also a school version available that gets rid of it altogether. Lyrics are even changed in the licensed version. "You know without a doubt I'll be really making out in Greased Lightning" replaces "You know that ain't no sh*t we'll be gettin' lots of t*t in Greased Lightning," and some lyrics in "Mooning" are also cleaned up.

It's a shame no one really does the original version of Grease anymore. I don't think it's a great show, but I do think the original is a better stage version than the hybrid of the show and film people always try to do. Also in the original production, the actors pulled out microphones when they started to sing. Hmmm, sound familiar? Grease is supposed to be a playful parody of the 50's. Now people see it as a serious show. This is one show that really shouldn't be taken seriously.

~Steven

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 10:12pm

Grease is supposed to be a playful parody of the 50's. Now people see it as a serious show. This is one show that really shouldn't be taken seriously.

Like, say, the team behind the current production?

Yes, they cut the language because they did not want the target audience to see "g-rated" alternatives like Spring Awakening.

Yes, because Grease, even with a little bit of "language," would ever be less G-Rated than Spring Awakening.

Updated On: 2/7/08 at 10:12 PM

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 10:16pm

HeyMrMusic-
I completely agree. In fact, I won't really listen to anything beyond the OBC, save for a few tracks (Stockard is better than Adrienne Barbeau (Sp?) IMHO).

[DRSisLove]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 10:24pm

My school did the original version last year.
Its a terribly written show.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 10:33pm

I like the Brooke Shields revival recording the best just because the new orchestrations make the show so much FUN to listen to. I also like the inclusion of "Since I Don't Have You". I wish those orchestrations were available to license.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/7/08 at 10:38pm

In the original text, every other word started with an "F" or an "S." Naturally, they would clean it up for licensing. "Barf on a bun" was one "sh(t on a shingle." Among other things.

And yes, the 3 aforementioned songs were written for the film. And they really cut the best songs.

[musicalmaster703]

Posted: 2/8/08 at 3:25pm

Because they are from the movie

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/8/08 at 3:32pm

It's not the first time those songs have been used, husk--I was in the national tour for two years and we used all three WITH PERMISSION--Jim saw the show many times, just in case you might be wondering.

I don't think the original script is any more racy than the film--you just don't notice the innuendo in the film as much. It's also considered a "family show" and it really isn't.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/8/08 at 4:03pm

lildogs, Where did the tour place the film songs? The revival chose a horrible place for Hopelessly Devoted.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/8/08 at 4:10pm

HOPELESSLY came after the prom/hand jive....Vince says something about the next song being "ladies choice" and we'd start dancing and the scrim comes down and Sandy does it way down left in a spot.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/8/08 at 4:20pm

That's the way it is in the revival. But before she sings it, Danny is seen leaving the prom with Chacha.

Unfortunately, this creates a huge plot hole, since in the very next scene, Danny and Sandy are at the movies.

[lildogs]

Posted: 2/8/08 at 4:34pm

We did the rumble after Hopelessly, then Beauty School, then drive-in, then Jan's basement

In ours, Danny/ChaCha/Lynch and Vince are up on the bridge above us and they just filter off stage with the rest of us--Danny has a special behind the scrim while Sandy sings Hopelessly

[chinto1984]

Posted: 2/8/08 at 7:32pm

I did this show and seen this show from every level from high school to professional. The professional came close to the parody and satire of the show. This is a fun show to do if you are a dancer. I like the show in that there are no leads. It is an ensemble musical.

What has not been pointed out is that in the 1994 revival, "Since I Don't Have You" was added before "We Go Together" at the end of Act 1.

[gypsy4]

Posted: 2/8/08 at 10:09pm

The original grease was very dirty.