Proof that they've missed the point of GREASE

Exactly. The show was created as a satire/homage to that era -- the late 50's (actually 1959-60). It was NEVER written nor meant to be taken as a serious play. Everyone in the play is basically a cliche' of a stereotype, which adds to the satire/homage tone of the musical.

You CAN'T interpret or imply 'reality' in something that was never written as such.

Characters? CHARACTERS? Those overblown, poorly written cartoons are being treated as CHARACTERS? That's laughable! It's even funnier because that certainly isn't evident in the performances the actors give, especially the two leads.

This is the story of Grease! If you want to be popular, cave into peer pressure. Now let's try to find the heart in that and entertain all of the preteens brought to this musical by their parents thinking its a great kids show.

What is wrong with that? The only thing that they should have done was cast Austin instead of Max. I think there are some very serious topics in Grease. Teenaged sex and smoking for one.

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Ivan, I can't tell if you're being serious or sarcastic.

Nothing in GREASE is treated seriously.

Um, no I am not. Wizard.
I know Grease is a comedy but it does have some serious things in it. Rizzo thinks she is going to have a baby.

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Have you all actually read the script?

The show is NOT meant to be taken seriously!

Sombody on this board compared Grease to The Three Penny Opera. It can be taken different ways. Who is to say there is only one way to do it?

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I just finished my fourth professional production.

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I am not trying to be snotty. It's just that I have done it where the camp has been the focus, and another where there was a real serious discussion of who these kids are. The original (off) broadway production had some pretty deep subtext-Doody's brother was killed in a Drunk Driving accident in which Sonny was the driver. That is the reason why there is the line "Your old lady dragged her carcass outta bed for ya?" . She is depressed because of the death of her son. That is also why everyone in the gang hangs out with him, even though he is much younger and arguably as much of a dork as Eugene is. There was a real history of the inter-relationships of the gang. Another example: Rizzo had dated Danny previously, but he broke it off because he thought of her more as a friend. That is why she calls Zuko a creep in the second scene. It is also why Rizzo is bitchy to Sandy at first.
The first time I performed the show it was directed by an original cast member, who still had his script from the 70's with all of his handwritten notes. Now I have to admit that a lot of this seemed like a load of crap at the time, but since the play (more-so than the movie) is very much a story of a group of kids rather than a star vehicle, having a consistent and cohesive subtext actually galvanized some scenes that usually are thought of as "fluff".
I think somewhere in between all-out camp (94 revival) and super heavy drama, is the best place from which to start when approaching any production of GREASE.

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You are right Yankee... I also negelcted to mention that the Sam french version has been really sanitized from the original. Frenh's line "better known as Barf on a Bun" was originally "Better known as SH!T on a Shingle" There are many others too numerous to mention, but you get the picture.
I also have to say that any revival of Grease strikes fear in my heart. I have little confidence that this one will be any more than 90 minutes of high energy singing and dancing with some fast paced dialogue in between.

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The movie took itself seriously and look at the crap that turned into and in turn has turned the show into. I say this in all honesty, Grease the movie ruined Grease the stage musical forever.

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