NY Post Review - Taylor Hicks Ignites Grease!

[sweetsmoke]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 3:15pm

DESPITE PANS, REVIVAL GETS BOOST FROM 'IDOL'
by Michael Reidel

TWO shows that shouldn't be making it - but are - must be given their due today.

First, "Grease" - which vaulted right over the critics to box office glory. It's playing to sold-out houses and is grossing nearly $800,000 a week.

It got a little lift from the Tonys, but its real draw this summer is "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, who's playing Teen Angel.

An insider says Hicks is worth at least $150,000 in extra ticket sales a week.
(Make a note of that, Mr. Agent.)

Whenever Hicks whips out his harmonica, the audience goes nuts.
They're having such a blast that the "Grease" megamix at the end of the show - this is where the critics ran screaming from the theater - now runs 10 minutes, with Hicks singing the title song and then playing it on his harmonica.

Meanwhile, the producers of the show are no longer flinching from the critical blows but are starting to have fun with them.

Charles Isherwood recently wrote: "Are the Tonys going to open up the lines so viewers at home can phone in their votes for their favorites? In which case perhaps 'Grease' would have been the year's big winner."

Look for a newspaper ad that will say:

"If the audience had voted, Grease would have been the year's big winner!" - Charles Isherwood, The New York Times.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/06272008/entertainment/theater/hicks_ignites_grease_117373.htm

[SirNotAppearing]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 3:17pm

Brace yourselves for the GREASE bashing.

[sweetsmoke]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 3:18pm

I'm ready! haha!

[americanboy99]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 3:31pm

Wasn't this previously posted?

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 3:35pm

Updated On: 5/3/09 at 03:35 PM

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 3:35pm

Yes. I'll start: Ignited like a lit fart.

[jpbran]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 3:40pm

First off, the Alzheimer's joke at the end of his column is pretty offensive.

Second: ""Grease" megamix... now runs 10 minutes, with Hicks singing the title song and then playing it on his harmonica."

KILL ME.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 3:50pm

A grease-y lit fart? Yeah, he looks like the type.

[sweetsmoke]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 3:52pm

I love the jealousy from those who are still just a blip on the Broadway stage radar!! One day, you might be a big star too if you get some talent!

Soul Patrol!!!!!!!!
Updated On: 6/27/08 at 03:52 PM

[arabella]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 6:29pm

The author of that NY Post article needs a fact checker. Grease hasn't grossed close to $ 800K in any week this year.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/grossesshow.cfm?show=GREASE

Also, how could Taylor Hicks be responsible for $ 150k each week when the show has been selling 90-100% capacity for most of the year before he even joined the cast. You would expect the summer tourists to make sales higher with or without Taylor. It's a misleading article.
Updated On: 6/27/08 at 06:29 PM

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 6:39pm

This was not a review. It's Michael Riedel's twice-weekly column. He gives no indication that he saw the show with Taylor Hicks, nor does he comment on the quality of the performance. He's merely reporting that Hicks has helped the show's box office.

[SDav 10495]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 6:45pm

First off, the Alzheimer's joke at the end of his column is pretty offensive.

I'd say it's not even clever enough to be offensive...it's just stupid.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 10:00pm

The remix now lasts 10 minutes!

The IATSE members missing the train home are planning Hicks demise as we type.

[NYCboy2]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 10:09pm

wow.

[withoutlovewithoutU]

Posted: 6/27/08 at 10:11pm

Well, if he's doing so well can they get him a better fitting costume? His pants look like they are gonn fall off at ny moment!

Posted: 6/27/08 at 10:28pm

Too bad they didn't get Taylor to star in SITPWG, then that turkey might have run.

[jv92]

Posted: 6/28/08 at 12:39am

It's not a review, it's a gossip column.

[Kev14]

Posted: 6/29/08 at 6:58pm

I guess these people didn't see his awful performance on Regis and Kelly.