GREASE is *very* different on stage | my review of Grease the musical at the Dominion Theatre

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OHMYGOD HEY!
I recently bought tickets to see the new production of GREASE, which is currently playing at the Dominion Theatre in the West End.
This production, which began life at the Leicester Curve, is directed by Nikolai Foster, with Choreography by Arlene Phillips.
Check out today's new review vlog for my thoughts on this very different version of the show...
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[@cannotthinkofausername6379]

Whenever people comment on how Sandy changed herself for Danny (at least in the movie) people always forget that the point was that Danny also changed for Sandy. It's literally shown in their costuming, Sandy changes her preppy dress for a leather catsuit and Danny changes his leather jacket for a preppy cardigan. EDIT: MickeyJo talks about this lol

[@stufour]

Except that is his true self. We’ve seen he’s not actually the bravado he presents when with the other guys. She has to change to something she is not.

[@daisyytheobald_04]

fun fact: the name The Burger Palace Boys for what many people know as 'The T Birds' is not actually a change! it's actually what they were originally called in the Off Broadway version so I guess they just went back to it

[@Elphaboy]

yea if I'm not mistaken the only production that actually changed them from the burger palace boys to the T birds was the broadway revival with Laura Osness and Max Crumb other than that production they've always been TBPB on stage and the TB in the movie...and i can only imagine they changed it for the movie cuz TBPB is just a dumb name, like they aren't menacing in any way lol

[@daisyytheobald_04]

@@Elphaboy yes that’s right they did change it to the T Birds for that production, but you’re right i think that’s the only stage production that’s done that, maybe the producers of the movie thought The Burger Palace Boys wasn’t a catchy enough name

[@mumplaysthesims8396]

Came to say the same thing

[@sianbennett-rodgers]

@@Elphaboy oh they were the T Birds in a UK tour Arlene Phillips did about 20yrs ago

[@brettmastema7056]

@@Elphaboy The 1992 Grease is the word had them as T-Birds as well as the 1994 Broadway Revival. The 1994 production was a weird hybrid of the original script and the film. The only reason it ran, in my opinion, was because it was like the casting of Chicago. Every TV star from the 80s was doing a guest run in the show.

[@xxtinkerbell91xx]

I saw Grease last year and people around me sang along to so many songs, including BELTING out hopelessly devoted to you. I’m was so annoyed. Another couple behind me just would not stop talking and the lady in front of me (who was front row) was unashamedly holding her phone up and constantly taking pictures (mostly when Peter Andre was on stage). Worst theatre experience ever

[@cameronclarkhull]

Similar thing happened during the prince of Egypt musical. A group next to me got drunk and was literally talking throughout. Then they started singing to when you believe... Some just have no respect

[@joevictor53]

Last year? Isn't this version of Grease new to this year? The one with Peter Andre in it

[@xxtinkerbell91xx]

@@joevictor53 It was on tour at the end of last year, I saw it in November

[@xxtinkerbell91xx]

@@cameronclarkhull yup same with moulin rouge. I gave enough death glares that they shut up though haha

[@joevictor53]

@@xxtinkerbell91xx ohhhh I had no idea if was the same cast

[@PS-DLMA]

My dad saw RICHARD GERE as Danny on the west end decades ago Also also - dont forget the "live" version with TVEIT as Danny which showed audiences the more Broadway book vs the movie

[@brettmastema7056]

The London Production in 1992 was totally the movie version for the most part. The 1994 Broadway Revival was expected to do the same although they did some bizarre new mix of the two that was pretty bad. I saw the tour of that in 1996 because they gave anyone who wanted, free tickets for our school.

[@chrisk5651]

I saw the revival of Grease on Broadway in the 1990s as the 2nd show on Broadway that I had ever seen. Shocked at all the tourists who were there and how they were dressed and how young they were. Teen Angel was played by Jennifer Holiday who was the original star of Dreamgirls (although I didn’t know of her yet).

[@XemeraldXD]

Omg hey! I love your content so much, its educational and fun and entertaining, and most of all it helps me build confidence to do theatre myself one day! Thank you for making videos Mickey!

[@redisthecoolestcolour]

One of my co-workers and I talk about theatre whenever we're together. She is going and I've been to see this and in particular she asked me about the choreography and without thinking I said, "It's the most Arlene Phillips that Arlene Phillips has ever been". It's very high energy and has a connected series of movements strung together in a visually appealing way, but it's not breaking any moulds. If this revival wins any choreography awards it's because of her name, not because of the actual work. If this had been Jane Random no one would even mention the choreography at all. Also, I agree about adding the girls into Greased Lightning. There precisely zero need for them to be there (plot wise or for textural purpose) the girls have plenty of time alone without the boys, can we please watch the boys vibing out together. #MaybeJustALittleHomo

[@keepingserene]

I've been waiting for your review! Agree with basically everything you said - the only thing I could mention to my sister when I got home was the choreography. Everything else was a mess but that choreography! Amazing. I didn't know it was Arlene Phillips until a few weeks later so truly a testament to her talent.

[@WiseGuy19]

Thank you for your review! I know there’s hundreds of Grease cast albums already but I’d still love one of this production.

[@charlotteashton1376]

Excited to see this review so I can prepare myself for when I see it on Wednesday! Hopefully I’ll enjoy it more now you’ve explained the little bits that I would definitely not get! X

[@tarahanson1321]

Grease was the first musical I was introduced to as a kid (maybe too young, but I just loved the idea of being a pink lady). I get the idea of people saying 'ugh, Sandy changed herself for a man' but, and here is where I defend the musical 😂😂 ...Danny tried to be an athlete and got his letterman jacket at the end of the movie because he did actually do it. He took on board when Sandy said Tom had ambition by being athletic and he wanted to do that for her. I'm aware how much I read into this film 😂 Also, the same people that have this opinion are also the same people that go out with their arms during grease lightnin' when it comes on at a wedding but us die hard musical people know the arms go in!! 🫣 I'm embarrassed I care so much haha

[@brettmastema7056]

Me too, I was 4. I watched it over and over. I remember my dad going to a friend of his and they put grease on and i just watched that while they did what ever. It was like my Telletubbies. And act shocked i turned out gay.

[@jasonculleton9061]

Great review Jo, glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@traceyrichardson5780]

Went to see the matinee on Saturday, the dancing is incredible and worth going for that alone! In these current times it is a show that makes you feel uplifted and it is fun. The end melody with the cast is also fantastic! Loved it.

[@andrewedgar3935]

I’m going on tour next week in a smaller version of Grease for a TIE company in Turkey! I should have gone to see this at the Dominion first!

[@kithale316]

I played Rizzo nearly 40 years ago at the Edinburgh festival. It's a great show on stage.

[@bowwowbuddy]

I see what you did there, borrowing from Sondheim à la "Barcelona" from Company: "It's not because I'm gay -- not just because I'm gay." 👍

[@robkelly4314]

On the topic of fantastic dancing and going onto big things, two of the current Grease cast and a few from previous productions have just been announced for the cast of Newsies this winter!

[@davlki]

Great review! It was well balanced. It is unlikely but it does make me want to see it! Thanks!!

[@bellaroberts21]

I saw grease the musical a few months back. I’ve never want to leave a show early, except this show. All the characters weren’t developed enough. And so by the time Sandy and Danny get together your like ‘wait what?’ Cos the whole show Sandy’s like ‘I hate you Danny’ and then at the end they suddenly get to together… 👁👄👁 I was so confused. At the beginning of the show I saw an old woman trembling over to her seat with a walking stick… by the time the megamix came on she ditched the walking stick and ran out the theatre. Didn’t even stay for the singalong. I don’t blame her tbh and lots of people joined her…

[@rodneybates2135]

I wanted to leave by interval as well but I stuck it out so as to at least say I watched the whole thing

[@dontneednobody]

Newbie to your videos, hi! I absolutely agree about the choreography and dancing, I was blown away. For that reason alone I absolutely loved this production. Never liked the story of Grease that much growing up cos of the plot points but I love some of the songs and it was hard not to like some of the characters from this production, Rizzo and Frenchie especially. And ever since I saw the show I can't stop playing Those Magic Changes - new favourite for me thanks to the lad who sang it beautifully in the show. I saw it when Jason Donovan was in it for a limited run and he sounded knackered, but I saw him a few weeks later in his main UK tour run as Pharaoh in Joseph and he sounded much better. Peter Andre surprised me, so over the top and camp. Thankfully no singing along during the show but the couple next to me wouldn't stop talking loudly, especially every time Peter was on stage. Did my head in and I had to tell them during the second half because it was affecting my enjoyment so much :(

[@carlharvey7098]

Saw Grease a few months ago and tbh i really enjoyed it, different yes but good

[@vsstud]

Absolutely agree with your review! I saw it twice and have the same feelings. Choreography and energy AMAZING. But plot seems to be forced, kind of - we have to do something different, no matter what, doesn’t matter if it makes sense. And for me - it didn’t. I was kind of cringed few times, didn’t see chemistry between main characters, didn’t understand many choices. 3 out of 5.

[@cedgson91]

Helped back stage at a school production of Grease (was in year 12) Can’t remember anything about it lol 😅

[@sevensongs]

Many of the problems you describe are problems with the original show that were edited out of the film. I always found Grease the show a bit confusing - too many side plots and characters without a clear message. They pared it down a lot for the movie!

[@catcolour444]

Came here after seeing the show today. Not having seen the movie before (it was just never all that well known where I'm from), I honestly had problems following the narrative. And I was wondering whether or not that was because English isn't my first language, but apparently it was not. I legit had to read up on the plot summary on Wikipedia to understand what I just saw. The dance sequences were awesome, and you could tell the actors had fun during those numbers. But all in all, yeah... nah. I've seen way better shows

[@dylancolon-r2w]

the first version was just full of buggers and that was lost in the movie and many other versions it is nice that they are adding the old story it is great mate

[@misskit123]

I went mostly to see Jocasta as Rizzo, because she's fab and YES PLEASE to that casting. I went back because I genuinely had a great time! I love love love the film, but this production is infinitely better than the Kenwright production that's done the rounds previously.

[@rodneybates2135]

I certainly agree with your comments about the lack of clarity with the character pairings, but I have completely disagree that the extra scenes and songs added anything useful to the experience. I felt like they were going to break out into “when you’re a jet” and possibly “gee officer krupky” - what was with the recurring cop anyhow? I also feel that (as a professional theatre tech) the show was simply a vehicle for the light show - very rock and roll concert!

[@taralouiseflannery5023]

I have to ask! Are you wearing a Claddagh ring?? 😍

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

VERY well spotted! I am indeed 🙂

[@ErinLovegood73]

The changes in Grease have been a sticking point with me for years. The complete white washing of Sandy ( I feel like she should be in the witness protection program), the integration of the songs from the movie, or changing the lyrics of Greased Lightening to make it more acceptable. What started out a raunchy tongue and cheek musical about the fifties written by men who lived in that era has turned into a nostalgic take on high school from any era. Give me the original cast with Barry Bostwick, Walter Bobbie, and Adrienne Barbeau any day.

[@chocolatesouljah]

Yes, the 2nd number The Alma Mater Parody is the true opening number and sets the raunchy tone and of course is not in the movie. I love Olivia Newton-John but Carol Demas as Sandy in "Summer Nights" is so well-sung and full of character. I could go on but suffice to say that I agree.

[@christophersmith3341]

How do people always miss the point of Sandy's change? There are two issues here. One, both Danny and Sandy make an attempt to change. Danny shows up in his letterman's sweater, and Sandy in her wild clothes. But with Sandy's transformation, it's important to look at it akin to the seduction/transformation of Brad and Janet in Rocky Horror. In both instances, the issue isn't plot or character as much as a satiric inversion of a trope. In Rocky, Brad and Janet are the upstanding hero and heroine who would never bend to the villain's whim no matter what. But Brad and Janet bend, all right, almost at the first opportunity. O'Brien was showing how the old ideals were no longer in place, no longer relevant. And Grease plays off the ending of 1950's J.D. movies, where the bad boy always reformed at the end--he became the kind up upstanding young man nobody wanted to see or would have watched the movie in the first place to follow, but he had to be reformed because "morals" had to be preserved. The show flips that on its head, giving us a "good girl" who goes "bad" (but who, for the record, also sings quite explicitly in "All Choked Up" that she isn't going to have sex with Danny just to win him over). It's a celebration of rebellion, of saying "up yours" to the old censorship of teenage stories. It's also about wising up. Sandy doesn't live in the real world, she lives in the world of Hollywood movies, t.v. sitcoms and innocuous pop song lyrics (again not that far from Brad and Janet). Rizzo does live in the real world. She knows hurt. She also knowns friendship. She knows how to survive. And she has a heart, like everyone else. "There Are Worst Things I Could Do" is an effective rejoinder to Sandy's phony-50's perception of the world, and at least in the original Broadway version, the reprise of "Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee" immediately followed it without even a line of dialogue. There's a whole lot at play culturally in Grease that is unfairly overlooked. Granted, the nature of the material is fairly in-your-face, and that can turn people off. Revivals that play into the synthetic pop aspect of the show and make it more of a cartoon don't help. But the basic show is one of integrity, of a group of kids who live by their own rules and stay true to them, no matter what the larger society around them might say (and, sadly, as they aren't at the reunion that opens the show, that choice likely didn't work out well for them--Grease never loses an opportunity to be sardonic). I think it's very misunderstood.

[@MickeyJoTheatre]

Except Danny doesn't wear the letterman sweater here, he reverts to his normal identity and everything you've said about Sandy is a presumption that this production takes no responsibility to illustrate.

[@christophersmith3341]

@@MickeyJoTheatre Well, that's the fault of the production, right? It's literally in the published script. You do make it sound in your video like these issues are intrinsic to the work--and other people make the same criticism. I'm saying the show as written is onto something different than mocking a girl for staying true to herself rather than sleeping with a man to win him. In fact, in both the show and the movie, Sandy is still a virgin to the end. I think people should re-evaluate what the show is saying there.

[@kiwilerner]

@@MickeyJoTheatre Honestly, the film Danny isn't as much of a change as people seem to remember/want it to be. Travolta's Danny sheds the letterman sweater ASAP once "You're the One That I Want" starts up. And honestly, what personality change did he even have other than the brief smugness of "yo, I ran track and got a sweater"? It hardly compares to Sandy's complete shucking of her persona, apparent moral code, arch support (those shoes!) and lung health. I've never been impressed that this was anywhere near an equal effort and thus the sighs over how they've exchanged and sacrificed for each other--as if this is some O. Henry "Gift of the Magi" story--give me a serious case of the eye-rolls. But to be honest, I was closer to the Sandy prude persona as a young 'un, so the unfairness of her having to change so completely while Danny gives up absolutely none of his values has always grated. :)

[@ladyjennyanytime5195]

@@kiwilerner But He does! In the film there's literally scenes of him trying different sports to do because he thinks thats what Sandy wants from a guy. He hurts himself or gets hurt in the process of doing so. Is he mistaken for doing so YES! And so is she! But surely that's the whole point? Its teenagers getting the wrong end of the stick where relationships and the opposite sex are concerned. He actually does this before Sandy does and even goes so far to tell his friends that He can't be with them because Sandy means that much to him. So yes Sandy does come to the wrong conclusion to what she needs to do, but so does Danny. It's not so much either giving up their values as the whole thing being about teenage peer pressure and misunderstanding all along. It's how teens are. I'd say it was pretty accurate. Some teenaged guys can be douchebags at time, Some aren't. Some girls can be seen as trashy tarts like Rizzo is, but they're really not. Same for Sandy being a scared prudish girl, when actually she has a fun side , she's just not as street wise as the rest of the pink ladies make out they are. I think it's easy to forget that this show was written in a different era, almost 50 years ago and that in itself was a retrospective look back at the 50s through rose tinted glasses that contains the morals & and mysogeny of that time. It was a pre- contraceptive pill era and drinking smoking and everyday casual sexism. Its a period piece....ALMOST But it's a very cartoonish version of what people think the 50s were like. And it's not to be taken too seriously and certainly not something to be judged by todays morals and standards I think.

[@christophersmith3341]

@@kiwilerner I wasn't talking about the film, but both the film and the play have Danny all semster long participating in sports so that he can be the man she wants.

[@pyrothesis1]

Anyone else notice the white dot on Mickey's lip during the video?

[@marcuspd7502]

It sounds like the same book that’s been used for all the London Grease productions since the revival I saw at the Dominion in 1995 with Debbie Gibson and Adam Garcia. It’s my favorite version because the book is based on the film rather than the original Broadway production which is nothing at all like the movie. I saw that revival with Rosie O’Donnell in 1993 and again in 1997, and it was painfully bad.

[@rodneybates2135]

If they interspersed a very dodgy retelling of west side story along the way…

[@allisonbergh4429]

I saw it on Broadway in 1993 as well! I barely even remembered I had, so it can’t have been too good 😅

[@ladyjennyanytime5195]

There actually isn't that many changes in the book, and really isn't based on the film. what's included from the film is the title song. Hopelessly devoted, Sandy and You're the one that I want. Script wise it adheres to the original stage version pretty much. It was the direction of it that was changed in so much it was snappier like the film and lit VERY well in a cinematic way. But choreographed within an inch of its life by Arlene Phillips. That 1993 version with Debbie Gibson , Craig McLachlan , Shane Ritchie and Sally Ann Triplett was THE SHOW to go to for years. It was an EVENT! I saw it just as it had opened , stood at the rear circle and it was just electric the atmosphere. And nobody sang along until the end I might add. Lots of cheering and what have you , but people were respectful and behaved. I think Adam was replacement cast in the 2nd year as Doody if memory serves me correctly. Shane took over as Danny, Samantha Janus/Womack was Sandy and Linzi Hately was Rizzo I went back sooo many times to see the new cast and then saw it in tour too. It was a fab version of the show. Im interested to see what this incarnation is like now. . :-)

[@marcuspd7502]

@@ladyjennyanytime5195 The reason I associate this version with the film rather than the Broadway one is the addition of those songs which I missed so much in the Broadway version. I saw Shane Ritchie, Samantha Janus, Adam Garcia and Linzi Hately twice in the front row of the stalls in August of 1995.

[@ladyjennyanytime5195]

@@marcuspd7502 Ahhh right I get what you mean now. Yes I remember talking to some Americans at one of My early visits to the show and it's when the Rosie O'Donnell version was playing on Broadway and they said they thought the West end version was better because of that reason and because of Arlene choreography and the whole staging of the show that they loved more than the Broadway version at that time. Which blew My mind cuz we always think that Broadway shows are a higher standard than West end for some reason. I've spoken to quite a few people since who said the same. Makes me curious as to how they've managed to change the script as Mickey Jo is describing it, or been allowed to do so. That just doesn't happen unless its a fully revised version of the show with the original book writers permission.

[@peedlejaydle]

I heard the pyros were extremely loud and they even warn how loud they are, were they over the top?

[@natashakingston8302]

I saw grease in the dominion theatre at 15. The last production i saw was part of the UK tour in Cardiff. I didnt enjoy it and walked out at the interval. Have you ever done that?

[@DerekMckean]

Do you know which show deserves a Broadway run? Metropolis. It has had a few west end versions but i don't think it ever went to Broadway.

[@ladyjennyanytime5195]

I saw the original at The Piccadilly, bought the cast album. Its a great show. I think there's been one West end fringe production since and I believe a production in Canada at some point. It never went to Broadway as it was a financial flop in the West end. I think had it come along earlier say the mid 80s it might of done better.

[@brettmastema7056]

You should check out the other musical by the music and lyrics writer of Metropolis. "In my Life" its one of the most insane and amazing pieces of crap I have ever seen in my life. We went a second time. (tickets were cheap at tkts)

[@DerekMckean]

@@brettmastema7056 hmmmmm......... intriguing!

[@thomaskoester7682]

Living in Chicago in the 70's where Grease originated in a funky storefront theater on Lincoln Avenue. Keep the show in 1950 and no hidden meanings are needed and no reason for an update to 2022. Leave Grease alone.

[@benjaminsagan5861]

I played rehearsal piano for a production of Grease aaages ago, with a choreographer who frustratingly never picked things up in the middle. Every number was always 'from the top' -- it's not terribly rewarding music to play, as you might imagine, so that got very dull. And yet, the thundering double octaves at the top of Act II are actually a bit taxing when you rehearse it all day and never skip the intro. So I call that song "Carpal Tunnel at the High School Hop". I hadn't thought about that in years lol.

[@til2896]

DUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUN DUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUNDUN DUN DUN DUN Was in a production for a few weeks over the summer at my regional theatre. The start of act two would scare me every single time, because it would just come through out of nowhere (house lights didn't go down because of a creative choice at the beginning of the act) and it was so LOUD. I feel for you.

[@airwaves7]

I watched it just recently… and somehow didn’t enjoy it… the staging, production and the cast were AMAZING! However, in my mind while I was watching this all I could think of is the movie version. I mean I know the (1978) GREASE came from the original musical but somehow it I just anticipated the the songs that I know. Also, Peter Andres role was heavily projected when Sandy became a side-lead character. She was hardly in any scenes compared to the movie and the grease live production.

[@DJWhovian]

When I saw the show in Manchester it was good but the audience can be bad as they had to stop the show in order to eject a big group of women who were shouting and singing loudly. I also did front of house for it and was a lot of issues and quite a drinky crowd.

[@flipspicksphilip4677]

Everyone wants to focus on Sandy changing her style for Danny, but Danny also changes himself for her. He joins the 🏃‍♂️ track to get a letterman's sweater. People are so ridiculous. Also, dressing sexy for her boyfriend doesn't mean that she has compromised her morals. And I think Danny effort to change for her shows that he really does respect her. This production is different because even in the original off-Broadway production, he changed too.

[@BroadwayGuy]

"Grease" never had much of a narrative (what narrative, really?) to begin with (1972). The script, such as it is, is constantly changing depending on WHO is doing it and WHERE they are doing it.

[@victoriawilliams3551]

See that sounds very close to the most part.

[@belkyhernandez8281]

They both changed in Grease.

[@renlish]

Look, if we can have endless for a love a musical where the heroine is abused, used, kidnapped and ultimately falls in love with her captor and tormenter and, according to the ill--fated sequel, have a child by him and end up dead... Grease doesn't need to be rewritten/revived. It's fine the way it is.

[@aliegan2109]

The Phantom of the Opera doesn’t have Christine fall in love with the phantom exactly because of the reasons of abuse you mentioned. Phantom would not be as beloved a musical if it did. One of the reasons the sequel is hated is because of what you claimed happened in the Phantom of the Opera

[@colebeck6528]

Also I could be the only one who like “alone at the drive in” more than “sandy”

[@finned958]

I saw it in original form after the movie came out and didn’t know why it was so bad. This is the one exception where the movie improved upon the original musical.

[@Upndouin]

It felt so off and could not fully understand why, so you put it nicely as always. I was very underwhelmed. I think I only stayed for the songs and stopped following the storyline.

[@mywalterego9248]

The fact that people so blatantly misunderstand Sandy and Danny is infuriating. When Danny met Sandy HE was coding himself to be what SHE would want. Now she is back at home with him and realizes that she can do the same for him. GREASE 2 would have been SO much better if for some reason the whole gang could take a trip to Australia and watch Danny recode himself back into a beach boy and could have had some great numbers watching the gang do the same to attract chicks. It's not a terrible or sexist thing Sandy is doing, it's a thing TEENAGERS DO!!!! Catering to an ultra sensitive, un0intellectual crowd is RUINING theater.

[@mywalterego9248]

It's why Sandy doesn't understand why Danny is acting different when they meet again.

[@mywalterego9248]

Or, since I know the Original script doesn't include Australia, just a beach, just have it set at the beach.

[@stufour]

Except when they bump into each other at school he is naturally the more nerdy self. He then remembers to code himself again. He is coding - but the coding is as the T bird self.

[@stufour]

And it is appallingly sexist desire fulfilment that Sandy does. It is not herself at all.

[@stufour]

And your attempt at intellectual snobbery to silence critique of your “psychology” is disingenuous. We are not ruining theatre. We are disagreeing with your preferred worldview.

[@barbllm]

My senior class (1987, way back when) did this for the school play. The two leads had zero chemistry and couldn't sing, but the girl who played Patti Simcox (?) was absolutely terrific. She stole the entire show.

[@lucyj8204]

Fun (not fun) fact: Grease famously harks back to a previous age. If an equivalent musical debuted today, it would be set in 2009 (so let's centre Poker Face and Single Ladies).

[@jazmorrison9030]

I seen grease live years and years ago and was so much swearing on live version I seen

[@GWiggz]

I hate Grease on stage. I’ve only stayed because I had friends in the productions.

[@emtastic112992]

Saw Grease on tour in the US several years ago. It felt like a high school production. The movie does such a better job developing characters. Plus the order of songs and events is different in the stage show and makes no sense

[@ellie1981]

This version is honestly my favourite version of Grease, and the movie has been my favourite since I was about 5. I saw it in the West End as a teenager in the 90s and was really not impressed at all as it was trying to change the original show to re-create the film - also casting actors far too old. The filmed clips from original Broadway and even later productions have been so cringeworthy (wasn't Rosie O'Donnell cast as Rizzo on Broadway when she was in her 40s? Awful). But not this one - the whole cast is incredible. I've seen it 8 times now 🤨 I don't find the character pairings to be confusing at all as they're all horny teenagers and I prefer the focus on more characters. Maybe it's just one for repeat watches. The scene with Those Magic Changes where Sandy dances with Kenickie and actually lets herself relax a bit, right before Rizzo sings TAWTICD to her, is the real catalyst for her change - she's realised how judgmental she's been, as the character is certainly not the perfect innocent girl as she is in the film. Also Freddy My Love, Mooning etc. are in the original show and are very familiar anyway because they're on the film soundtrack - one of the best selling albums of all time, so they weren't surprising. Tattoo Song, How Big I'm Gonna Be and the alternate Grease song were the ones I didn't recognise, but it turns out only How Big I'm Gonna Be is actually "new". The dancing and choreography is absolutely the highlight though.

[@kallen868]

Mary Martin was in her 50's when she played Peter Pan and Maria von Trapp...just sayin'.😉

[@claire2088]

Just watched this and thought it might interest you kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZ2booV7qbanZsU is also about grease and sounds like the original didn't necessarily have satisfying story arcs and a straightforward plot- sounds like chaotic slightly horrible teens causing carnage!

[@Erni3K]

About the revival: Did they put the slutty bits back in? The stage show began as a very randy, very off broadway mashup of Tab Hunter/Sandra Dee/50's biker/teen rebel movies, and the movie was a very VERY different thing. Oh wait, everyone liked that. Anyway, this sounds like the original stage show - making the innuendo in those films explicit, not bothering with character development or plot logic. Did it need a revival? You seem to have gotten a lot out of it, and the cast sounds great.

[@fruitchie]

isn’t the patty and danny relationship just danny sleeping with her for her to do his hw? i don’t rly understand it either 😟

[@colebeck6528]

Sandy changes for him also because of under elaborated on class issues and the brokenness of people who can’t emotionally change for what they’ve been through in their own life. Sandy realizes this because of rizzos song directed at her which is not in the film. Yes it isn’t the strongest writing but I think she just changed for a man and that’s anti feminist is a common shallow reading of the play.

[@Showtunediva]

Would you say that Sandy’s character was played respectfully in the wake of the recent death of Olivia Newton John? She is one of my favorite actresses in that movie.

[@2009blades]

I worked on this as local crew when on tour to be honest wasn't my fave show it seemed more like acting school no charisma etc .

[@DavidRigano]

I defend Grease a LOT because I think that while it presents a lot of these controversial topics in a satirical way, I don't think it endorses them. The idea of having Danny writing a note to Sandy telling her to change for other people makes me gag. It reinforces what I see as a very mistaken idea that Sandy changes for Danny. Sandy spends most of the show trying to impress the Pink Ladies, be more like them, and ultimately the reason she tries to change herself is because her conservative upbringing causes her to accidentally insult working class Rizzo for getting pregnant. Cutting that out and making it a direct result of Danny asking her to change is insanely regressive when the original does set it up for some socio-economical commentary.

[@DavidRigano]

Also, people getting upset that Sandy is brunette and the boys are called the Burger Palace Boys, both of which is how the original was, just makes me laugh a bit.

[@chrisk5651]

The film is problematic! My older sister loved the film but also the soundtrack and would have us act it out & sing. Shortly I got to see the film as a child and didn’t understand the issues. Later in high school (or maybe even middle school possibly) and was kinda shocked by the issues that I now was able to realize the issues. It didn’t seem like my sister ever came to see these issues.

[@ikexbankai]

FIRST

[@paultoseland9524]

All I know about the production is Arlene's "racist" rant

[@ElEyeEsAy]

the plot in this revival just doesnt make sense

[@ElEyeEsAy]

ur so right sandy legit didnt feel like a main character