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When you think of Grease you think of the 1978 film with John Travolta
and Olivia Newton John - and the hit songs, 'You're The One That I
Want', 'Greased Lightnin', 'Grease Is The Word', 'Hopelessly Devoted
To You' and all the other classics.
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| Danny
and Sandy |
But
several years before the film, Grease was building a reputation
as a stage musical.
It was the brainchild of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, who wanted
to have a bit of fun and break the traditional musical style.
Grease
is set in 1959 at Rydell High School, and revolves around the lives
of the teenagers - the groovy T-Birds and sassy Pink Ladies.
It
got its name from the hair, food, and custom cars that were popular
in the 50s - all of which involved huge amounts of grease.
| From
humble beginnings to Broadway |
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| A
pyjama party in Grease |
The
stage show had humble beginnings at an experimental theatre in Chicago.
After the show proved popular Casey and Jacobs were encouraged to
move to New York.
In
1971 the show toured the US and Canada. John Travolta then 17, played
Doody, not the cool Danny.
The show premiered on Broadway in 1972 and by 1979 it took over
as the longest running show in the history of Broadway. Once the
film was released, it became the highest grossing movie musical
ever.
| Even
Richard Gere has appeared in Grease! |
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| Richard
Gere in 'American Gigolo' |
When
the show first opened in London it was the then unknown Richard
Gere that played Danny, (he'd been understudying for the part on
Broadway).
A host
of stars have appeared in various stage and touring productions
of the shows including; Paul Nicholas, Elaine Paige, Craig Maclachlan,
Shane Richie Ian Kelsey and Luke Goss.
Grease
is currently touring the UK and will be showing at the Alexandra
Theatre from 8th to 13th March 2004.
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