I am one of the few, like yourself, that enjoyed the overtly campy and neon revival in the '90's. I saw it at least a half dozen times - with various B actors and actresses playing the various roles. (All of which were far to old for that parts they were playing - but that was part of the fun.)
I'll be honest... I was NOT a fan of Rosie. Her name sold tickets... but that's about it. She had some great one liners, but her voice and "sincerity" as Rizzo were as bad as it gets (IMO.) She's to be credited for making it a hit revival - but she was obviously bored with the role just a few months into her run. She was constantly breaking the 4th wall when I saw it and clocking her time while singing horribly off-key.
She didn't perform at the Tonys with the cast as you said - and there's very little footage of her in the role. You can catch a few videos online of her in numbers like "Freddie my Love" (With a then unknown Megan Mulally) but nothing substantial. She did a lot of pre-Broadway press and commericals - but that's about it. Here's a link to a tv review of the show that features Rosie in the role.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9YtJ3z4KKY A few years later when she hosted the Tony awards, she did sing the "Greased Lightnin reprise" with male members of the cast as a part of her opening medley.
BTW, I think the cast of Grease was on a New Years Eve special too. If memory serves me, it featured Debbie Boone (a much later Rizzo) lip synching to the Rosie cast album on top of a building. Terrible.
Quite honestly, the thing I LOVED about the revival was the music. John McDaniel (Who became Rosie's bandleader on the talk show) did wonders with the re-orchestration of the songs. Sam Harris delivered one of the most show stopping performances I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. His "Those Magic Changes" is simply incredible... and he stopped the show every single night!!! He really didn't stay in the role too long, from what I recall, and all of the subsequent "Doody" actors paled by comparison.
I fell in love with Susan Wood as Sandy. She was PERFECT for that role. I wish she had gone on to do much more on Broadway. She was a great talent and should have been a big name. (Ashley Spencer in the recent Grease revival had the same quality - pitch perfect and absolutely stunning to look at.)
What's funny is, whenever I'm in NYC and pass by the Eugene O'Neil I always think of the 90's Grease. Heck, when I saw Mormon at the O'Neil, I kept drifting back to memories of Grease.
As a side note, prior to the revival opening on Broadway, Tommy Tune did some sort of promotional tie-in with a televised pageant (I think) where a medley of Grease songs were performed live. Seems like it was Miss America, or USA or such. I distincly recall it, then the next thing you knew, the show was back on Broadway. I'd love to find out the details of my memory, and if those in that tv spot were the original revival cast members.
Finally, I also recall either reading an article or seeing something on tv that John Stamos was supposed to originate Danny in the Rosie revival - but it fell through when he remained committed to a final season of his sitcom. Never had that verified - maybe someone knows that as well?
Updated On: 12/3/12 at 03:02 PM
