Grease: the reality show — Page 4

Unless the competitors end up being mostly trained, aspiring musical theatre actors, I have a hard time believing they're going to be given their equity cards AND have the stamina to perform 8 shows a week. Given the tendancies of networks to "script" "reality" tv, I also have a hard time believing too many trained actors are going to end up as finalists. All paired with a show that no one really wants to see revived (especially when they can just watch the movie (which they'll probably like better anyway))--it just doesn't add up; there are too many holes in this idea.

i am so happy to see that other people are down on this idea...i was feeling like maybe i was a sourpuss coz its such a groaner. i eman this is the kind of thing that makes one ask, "is entertainment dead?"

not only is it gonna cheat real broadway people out of jobs, reality shows cheat all kinds of creatives out of jobs; real writers, real actors, real set designers...

This is interesting to say the least.

But I believe Foster mentioned this eariler, the song YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT isn't in the stage show. Since they are calling the show this, will they be adding this song to the show?

Another thing I'm wondering is what they'll do with the book. Will they use the original book?(that's doubtful.) will they use the 94 rewrites? Or do their own unique rewrites?

I wonder.

Well, if Kathleen Marshall has anything to do with it, she WILL want it to be a MAJOR contender for Best Revival of Musical

She may WANT it to be a contender to win a Tony somewhere in the back of her mind, but I bet even more she WANTS the exorbitant paycheck. I don't think the prospect of another Tony is what was on her mind when she signed on the dotted line at NBC. She already has 2 Tonys. Why not submit to American pop-culture garbage and make some real money? Get some national attention. This could lead to big bucks for Ms. Marshall if this thing continues past one season (a nightmare to even think about).

Sandy is quite possibly the most boring character in musical theater history.

Sounds perfect for American mainstream TV audience voters.

At least the judges are qualified - Kathleen Marshall wants to cast the best people so SHE doesn't look bad, Jim Jacobs wants to protect the integrity (even though there isn't any) of his "masterpiece," (I use masterpiece and integrity VERY loosely), and David Ian, the producer, doesn't want the show to fail.

Kathleen Marshall wants to make money. There's nothing she can do that will make her look bad at this point. She has a nice cushion of two Tonys to fall back on. Jim Jacobs is a guy who got lucky. His sub-par show was turned into a movie and as a result has become a national phenomenon.

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Updated On: 8/9/06 at 09:47 PM

I was in that touring production you saw, Rentaholic, and though it wasn't a restaging of the revival, it did have a great deal of that production's flavor, though we had Frankie Avalon as Teen Angel.

I first heard about this idea some time ago, when they wanted Nick and Jessica to play Danny and Sandy and obviously that didn't happen...so then they thought about just casting a Rizzo in a contest and I guess they decided on a Danny and Sandy. Aesthetics and taste aside, what makes the producers think that anybody that wins this contest will actually be able to perform 8 shows a week?

It's one thing to win the role, quite another to be able to do it.

And Megan as Rizzo? I think she might be a LITTLE too old to play a high school student, doncha think?

somebody shoot me with a fork.

or a bazooka.

I just died a little inside.

it's really no big surprise that they're doing this..the BBC, who produced 'How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria' just wanted to import that show here with a more American setting. It's been in the planning stages for months. They at one time were even trying to get Olivia Newton-John as one of the judges. 'They also approached Megan Mullally (she was in the 94 revival).

They have a vested interest and a real push to get network placement for their formats here now..and the networks are after them for it as well..based on the big hit 'Dancing with the Stars' has become..and how many of those networks passed on that show that are kicking themselves now.

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I think it's a great idea. It might not be the best musical or the best thing for broadway, but it gives a chance to broaden the broadway audience and it gives a potential unknown the oppurtunity to get the lead in a broadway show. We don't need to give every role to Sutton Foster. Anyways they said that seasoned professionals can still audition. I would definitly watch the show and depending on who won the vote, Id probably even go see the show, because I've never seen Grease on stage .

I think they should cut out the middle man and have revivals of current shows on broadway. Can't wait for the "Mamma Mia" revival. It will happen after the revival of the revival of "sweeny todd", this one, the actors not only act, play instruments, they are also running crew and ushers....it's a new "in your face theater".....really genuis!

I actually can't wait for and even plan to enter the contest. It's a nice start for anyone who wants a future on Broadway and also maybe a little exposure as well. When can I sign up?!

I will watch because it's Broadway, there is nothing else on TV and because it's not on CBS.

Why don't they just hold auditions for legit Broadway performers to be Sandy & Danny?!?! The SOUND OF MUSIC show, the CBS talent thing they did around Tony time...This reality show stuff has gone WAY to far. Leave Broadway out of it. It will bring Broadway to the public a little more, but still...

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