Grease: the reality show- Page 4

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 7:17pm

In Australia on ABC T.V earlier this year they screened "Dusty" the making of a musical a eight part show, that went from casting to opening night.

So it has been done before.

[maybethistime]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 7:27pm

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.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 7:44pm

When are auditions?

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. It's not like they hired Usher, David Hasselhoff, and Haylie Duff.

As odd as it sounds, they are all trying to go for the "integrity" of Grease. They're not trying to sell the show down the river like the Weissler's did (even though it stayed open for years.)

Still, it follows the same "Idol" format: The American guy, the female, and the English guy.

Posted: 8/8/06 at 8:09pm

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...

[cooperross]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 8:15pm

'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...'

I can assure you that real writers and real set designers work on these types of reality shows. As do real producers, real costumers and real crew members.

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 9:10pm

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.

[rclocalz]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 9:35pm

My theory:

THE PRODUCERS will close, thus leaving the St. James vacant for the June 2007 revival of GREASE. So that is my theory for what theatre it will go into.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 9:47pm

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.

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

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 9:56pm

Foster, why do you care if she wants the paycheck or not? She's choosing projects that appeal to her. Is it's selling out to the man, who cares? She's at that point in her career, you're right, where she can do no wrong.

Grease will make money no matter what. It's a popular show, everyone knows it, no matter how good or bad it is. We, the theater snobs, are not the target market for it. The tourist population is. And you know what? They'll flock to this Grease. If you don't like it, don't see it.
Updated On: 8/8/06 at 09:56 PM

[lildogs]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 10:01pm

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?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 10:43pm

lildogs, you were on that tour? I saw that!

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 8/8/06 at 11:12pm

somebody shoot me with a fork.

or a bazooka.

[Marquise]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 12:01am

Yeah! GREASE is back to torture all you knowitallnosesstuckupintheairfullofcrapbroadwayelitists! I'm loving this!!!

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 12:16am

I just died a little inside.

[kevs]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 12:57am

'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?'

I'd bet money that they would probably add all of the movie songs to the stage production, only because if "America" is voting, then "America" probably wants to see those songs performed. If I'm not mistaken, when Debbie Gibson did the show in London, they added the movie songs. They even added that actual song, "Grease"(Grease is the word...)

[cooperross]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 1:17am

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.

[DramaQueen700]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 2:37am

i was also wondering if they were going to add the movie songs since only, roughly, 8 songs from the movie are in the OBC, which consists of songs most poeple have never heard of AND dont like. plus they cant call the show YTOTIW without havign that song in the show!

also, where is the information on the auditions? How is the show going to work? they cant have people singing "look at me im sandra dee (reprise)" and "grease lightning" every week...

so, yea, where is the info on the auditions?

[jarred03]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 3:02am

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 .

[cooperross]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 3:29am

since the auds are for the roles of Sandy and Danny..I'm guessing they won't be singing Rizzo and Kenickie songs.

As for a site..hold on..it just got the go ahead from the network..I'm sure that info will be forthcoming as soon as they start actual production.

Posted: 8/9/06 at 4:35am

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!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 7:15am

It's in Riedel's column today.

Apparently, they wanted Ricky Martin for Danny, but he turned it down. Hence, the contest.

http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/xanadu_you_believe_it__entertainment_michael_riedel.htm

[broadwaybound882]

Posted: 8/9/06 at 7:51am

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?!

[lildogs]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 8:42am

yes, you probably did see me, orangeskittles...funny huh?

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 9:09am

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...

[algy]

Posted: 8/10/06 at 9:48am

If it's anything like the SoM contest we have on BBC atm, it'll be hilarious. We have Graham Norton presenting and his snide remarks are hilarious.

In all seriousness, the producers and people choose the top 10 and then you vote from that. The British show has had two weeks of "audition" shows and then this week we start on the eliminations.

The top 10 is about 2/3 - 3/4 Musical theatre school graduates/trainees so don't you go thinking its exclusively for the normal people!

And one of the UK gossip emails reported 3 weeks ago that the producers have already signed an alternate (reported to be Emma Williams) who will do upto 6 performances a week. Make of that what you will!