Finally, after what has to have been one of the longest audition processes for a Broadway show, NBC's "Grease: You're the One That I Want" narrowed down the nation-wide search for Danny and Sandy to the final four, whittling away the lesser talents along the way.
No longer did any of the judges,
Grease producer David Ian, director-choreographer
Kathleen Marshall or playwright Jim Jacobs, have a life raft for one of the bottom two contestants after viewers' voters were revealed. Although the pressure in deciding whom to cast in their multi-million dollar staged revival of the 1950's musical was lifted, stress must continue to plague the panel as their reputations are on the line, having decided to turn the casting process into a reality television series in which viewers have the final say.
The unscripted series has not been faring too well in the ratings war of prime-time television, dipping rather drastically after its initial bow of 11.6 million viewers for the premiere episode to 6.46 million viewers last week, according to Nielsen Media Research. Hopefully that is not a sign of waning interest among the theatre-going public come New York time.
With six contestants left at the top of Sunday night's program, they kicked off the evening with an energetic version of "Rock N' Roll is Here to Stay," yet two were shortly told their stay would be made short as the cuts came for one Danny and one Sandy hopeful.
Credit must be given to the remaining performers, because there is not a more grueling way to land a role than trying week after week in front of millions of people. None of these kids could have been blamed for having a break down or two along the way.
Only two can win the competition though, so the last to be cut before the final vote were "Wholesome Danny" Derek Keeling and "Baby Sandy" Allie Schulz. Both had their share of struggles along the way, with Keeling hitting some sour notes in the past few weeks and Schulz requiring a last-minute save by the judges before.
It would have been unfair to the rest of the bunch had either of these two made it any further, unfortunately. But hey, third place is not all that bad. Ian might need to phone in a refill for his theatrical Viagra, a reference he made towards Schulz at one point, before opening night though.
Once the final four were revealed, it was time for the eager beavers to get to work, which started with the requisite video confessionals. What would a reality television show be without those "candid" chats after all? All professed their desire for the roles, but not all lived up to their own hype come performance time.
The Sandys were up first, with "Small-town Sandy" Laura Osnes singing the
Grease tune "Hopelessly Devoted to You" opposite "Ballerina Sandy" Ashley Spencer. Blessed with a softer personality and consistently pouring out the vulnerability required of the Sandy role, Osnes remained the obvious choice in this competition in every way.
Spencer does have talent, but up against Osnes, there is no winning. Not to mention that Osnes postponed her wedding to continue in the show. How can anyone compete against that? Spencer brought her A-game, but was missing something unique needed to steal the spotlight away from her rival.
A closer battle played out between "Slacker Danny" Max Crumm and "Hot Danny"
Austin Miller. Obviously experience played to Miller's advantage in making it to the final two, but he was quick to squash that image during his plea to voters, attempting to position himself as a truly "hometown" boy. And with his more traditional musical theatre vocals, Miller would have stood a chance, but Crumm had a card not yet played.
In what became the "tear-jerker" moment of the evening, Crumm revealed that he struggled with Bell's Palsy as a child, leaving one side of his face virtually paralyzed which caused him to re-learn many basic facial functions. No 10-year-old fat kid story coming from Miller is going to compete with Crumm's background. Nor should it. Overcoming such a devastating condition and developing into an extremely talented performer is nothing to dismiss.
Beyond any personal history, performance and look wise, Crumm, with his unconventional approach to Danny, has shaped up to be the man Sandy needs. As neither remaining Danny carries himself as the archetypal bad boy, Austin's male model looks could work to his detriment. The aspect of Sandy and Danny's relationship resides in the essential fact that the two are not supposed to be a picturesque couple, and Crumm opposite Osnes makes for a spot-on
Greaser romance.
After watching the two couples play chemistry mix up, each taking turns singing "Endless Love" and "I've Had the Time of My Life" with different partners, the final decision was quickly apparent. America is ready for a quirky Danny and brunette Sandy, and Crumm paired with Osnes are the two that can deliver on that combination. And for the first time, I have to concur with all three judges, as they all agreed those two are the ones that they want to lead their show.
Next Sunday the finale will reveal which Danny and Sandy America has chosen, and then the already cast other
Grease actors can get to official rehearsals in preparation for the much-anticipated summer bow on Broadway.
Photos courtesy of NBC.
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