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GREASE to Close on Broadway January 4, 2009

The 2008 Tony Award nominated production of GREASE will play its final performance on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 W 47th Street) on Sunday, January 4, 2009. Upon closing, GREASE will have played 554 performances and 31 previews. The first national tour, starring "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, launched Tuesday, December 2, 2008 at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI.

"GREASE has been a staple of theatrical entertainment and pop culture on stage and screen for over 30 years. It has been exceedingly rewarding to bring this iconic musical back to Broadway in a new production. The exuberance of our talented young company has been witnessed by the thousands of theatergoers who came from across the country to see a Broadway show, many for the first time. In these difficult economic times, the partners have decided to end our run on Broadway and focus our efforts on the first national tour which successfully launched in Providence last night" said GREASE producer Nick Scandalios.

The current production of GREASE made history when it became the first Broadway show to cast its lead performers on national television. The weekly talent competition series, "GREASE: You're the One That I Want" premiered on NBC on Sunday, January 7, 2007. After 12 weeks of nationally televised auditions, 90 million viewers and millions of votes, America ultimately chose Laura Osnes and Max Crumm to play the iconic roles of "Sandy" and "Danny." The duo went on to make their Broadway debuts and enjoy 1 year and 363 performances as the stars of GREASE on Broadway.

By the time GREASE opened on Broadway, advance tickets sales had reached $17 million. The production recouped its entire investment during its 52nd playing week. The first national tour, which launched on Tuesday, December 2, 2008, has already been booked in markets across the country for the next two years. "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, who made his Broadway debut in the role of "Teen Angel" on September 11, 2007, is reprising his role on the road.

GREASE opened on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street) on Sunday, August 19, 2007 following preview performances which began on Tuesday, July 24, 2007. Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (The Pajama Game, Wonderful Town), GREASE features book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.

GREASE currently stars "American Idol" finalist and Grammy Award nominee Ace Young as "Kenickie," popular NBC "Grease: You're the One That I Want" finalists Derek Keeling as "Danny" and Ashley Spencer as "Sandy" along with Ryan Patrick Binder as "Doody," Susan Blommaert as "Miss Lynch," Stephen Buntrock as "Teen Angel," Todd Buonopane as "Roger," Xavier Cano as "Sonny," Janine DiVita as "Rizzo," Allison Fischer as "Patty," Mike McGowan as "Vince," Lindsay Mendez as "Jan," Jamison Scott as "Eugene," Kirsten Wyatt as "Frenchy" and Helene York as "Marty," The ensemble of GREASE features Natalie Hill ("Cha-Cha"), Joe Komara, Amanda Lea LaVergne, Joseph Medeiros, Keven Quillon, Christina Rose, Josh Rouah, Christina Sivrich, Amber Stone and Jason Wooten.