Grease was first staged in 1971, with music, lyrics, and a book by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. It had its debut on Broadway in 1972 until it was eventually adapted into a movie starring John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John in 1978. This play and its consequent movie were a cultural icon, with songs that persist through time and are deeply rooted in modern pop culture. And for the first time, in 2025, it was performed in Jakarta, Indonesia.
On Sunday, August 4th, I had the pleasure of seeing the musical GREASE at Musicals at Richter in Danbury, CT. With book and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, director Jessica Smith combines her talents with music director Andrew Gadweh, and choreographer Melissa Arizzi to help bring out the best in this stellar cast of actors and actresses who come across as professional ringers, enjoying their roles, and radiating positive energy from the stage, drawing the audience right in, as we all enjoyed this wonderful performance in this newly renovated first-rate outdoor venue.
Adopting Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey's original stage version, the production deviates from the famous movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Here we see subversive, sex-driven working-class teenagers among industrial Chicago instead of beachy California. Sandy Olsson is now Sandy Dumbrowski (reflecting the '50s influx of Polish immigrants), the infamous T-birds are the Burger Palace Boys. There is an undertone of gang warfare as the rebellious group often push against authority getting in trouble with the police - it's giving West Side Story.
GREASE, THE MUSICAL is given a new treatment, satisfying audiences looking for a toe tapping night of nostalgia while honoring the early stage productions and liberally referencing the famous 1978 movie adaptation.
Bucks County Playhouse has unveiled its 2024 subscription season. Featuring four productions in the historic playhouse, the Playhouse’s 85th season kicks off in May. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.
For a group of senior citizens in London, Ontario - fame wasn't on their minds when they signed up for an aged 55+ production of the musical Grease. However, thanks to a now-viral TikTok video, their May 2024 production is completely sold out, with an ever-growing waitlist at the box office.
Social media personality and comedian Tobin Mitnick recently shared on Instagram photos found by his mom (thanks, mom!) of himself co-starring in a childhood production of Grease with none other than Taylor Swift.
The full cast has been set for the UK and Ireland tour of Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey’s iconic musical GREASE, directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips. Additional performances have been added in Dublin, Manchester, Newcastle etc.
This revival of Grease is close to perfection… and dare I say it, I think I prefer it to the film! Not only do we get to follow Sandy and Danny in Grease The Musical, we also become more acquainted with all the Pink Ladies and T-Birds, which results in Grease The Musical feeling much more of a Rydell High ensemble show. Something that is most welcome.
After incredibly successful summer seasons in 2022 and 2023; Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey's iconic musical GREASE will tour the UK and Ireland in 2024. GREASE is directed by Nikolai Foster and choreographed by Arlene Phillips.
Producers of the multi-million dollar stage musical GREASE have revealed a sneak preview of a recording of one of the beloved musical's favourite songs, You're The One That I Want featuring Annelise Hall in the role of Sandy and Joseph Spanti in the role of Danny. GREASE is set to open in Melbourne on December 31 2023 and at Sydney's Capitol Theatre from March 2024. Watch here!