Grease (musical)

Grease is a popular musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. A film version was made in 1978 starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John.

Stage productions

The musical Grease opened off-Broadway at the Eden Theatre on February 14, 1972, starring Barry Bostwick as Danny Zuko, and Carole Demas as Sandy Dumbrowski. Also in the cast was Adrienne Barbeau as Rizzo. Instantly popular with the public, the critics remained unimpressed, and the Tony Awards committee ruled that Grease was ineligible for nomination because the theatre was several blocks away from Broadway itself. The producers threatened to sue the committee, which soon backed down and it was nominated for 9 Tonys, including Best Musical. It ran for 3388 performances in four different theatres, most notably the Royale Theatre on Broadway where it remained from November 1972 until January 1980, only three months before it closed for good. Its eight year run was a musicals record until overtaken by A Chorus Line.

Related Topics:
1972 - Barry Bostwick - Danny Zuko - Carole Demas - Adrienne Barbeau - Broadway - Tonys - A Chorus Line

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When it opened in London, the role of Danny was taken by the then-unknown actor Richard Gere, with Stacey Gregg as Sandy. They were later replaced by Paul Nicholas and Elaine Paige.

Related Topics:
Richard Gere - Stacey Gregg - Paul Nicholas - Elaine Paige

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Its revival began in London in 1993, when a new version opened starring Craig McLachlan and Deborah Gibson in the main roles. The UK production is now a perennial favourite with audiences of all ages and has gone on many nationwide tours. The role of Danny was also played during this time by Shane Richie, Ian Kelsey and Luke Goss.

Related Topics:
1993 - Craig McLachlan - Deborah Gibson - Shane Richie - Ian Kelsey - Luke Goss

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The revival production in New York began in 1994 at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre and ran for four years, starring Ricky Paull Goldin as Danny, Susan Wood as Sandy, Rosie O'Donnell as Rizzo, and a pre Will and Grace Megan Mullally as Marty (one of the "Pink Ladies") . During this time it picked up three Tony Award nominations, again all unsuccessful. In 1995 Brooke Shields won the Theatre World Special Award for her role as Rizzo, after following such stars as Jody Watley, Lucy Lawless, Linda Blair, Debby Boone, Sheena Easton, Joely Fisher, Deborah Gibson, Jasmine Guy, and Mackenzie Phillips in the role.

Related Topics:
New York - 1994 - Eugene O'Neill Theatre - Ricky Paull Goldin - Susan Wood - Rosie O'Donnell - Will and Grace - Megan Mullally - Brooke Shields - Jody Watley - Lucy Lawless - Linda Blair - Debby Boone - Sheena Easton - Joely Fisher - Deborah Gibson - Jasmine Guy - Mackenzie Phillips

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