'Idol's' Ace Young Makes Bdwy Debut in 'Grease' Tonight, 9/11

The producers of the smash hit Broadway production of Grease are proud to announce that "American Idol" Season Five finalist, Ace Young, will make his Broadway debut when he joins the company in the role of "Kenickie" tonight Thursday,  September 11, 2008 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.  

Ace Young achieved widespread fame in 2006 as a finalist on the hugely successful FOX singing competition "American Idol."  With weekly exposure to the 40 million plus viewers of America's most widely watched television program, Ace quickly became one of the most recognizable male faces ever to appear on "Idol."

A native of Denver, Colorado, he began his career in the entertainment industry at the early age of nine performing at various venues all over the west coast.  Following "Idol," Ace traveled the country performing in 60 sold out arenas across the nation as part of the "American Idols Live Tour."  He has played guest starring roles on the popular television sitcoms "Half & Half" and "Bones."  In 2007, Ace was nominated for a Grammy Award for his co-write on fellow "Idol" Chris  Daughtry's quadruple platinum hit single "It's Not Over."  In April 2008, Ace released a popular single entitled "Addicted," available in stores, on ITunes and Amazon.  He recently formed a partnership with renowned record producer and songwriter Desmond Child, and together they co-wrote, recorded and funded Ace's eponymous debut album - a revolutionary combination of Rock, R&B and Funk which utilizes a 30 piece string section with live horns.  The eagerly anticipated album was released on the Pazzo Music/Fontana label on July 15, 2008.

"American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, who joined the cast in the role of "Teen Angel" on Friday, June 6th, will play his final two weeks in the show with a final performance on Sunday, September 7th.

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.

In addition to Ace Young as "Kenickie," GREASE™ also stars "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks as "Teen Angel" (through September 7), NBC's "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," Will Blum as "Roger," Jeb Brown as "Vince," Janine DiVita as "Rizzo," Allison Fischer as "Patty," Robyn Hurder as "Marty," Lindsay Mendez as "Jan," Jose Restrepo as "Sonny," Jamison Scott as "Eugene" and Kirsten Wyatt as "Frenchy."  The ensemble of GREASE™ features Ashley Arcement, Brian Crum, Natalie Hill ("Cha-Cha"), Keven Quillon, Josh Rouah, Allie Schulz, Brian Sears, Christina Sivrich, Amber Stone, Anna Aimee White.

After spending a hopelessly devoted summer with Sandy Dumbrowski, the new girl in town, Danny Zuko's world is thrown upside down when Sandy appears at Rydell High on the first day of school. What follows is a rock n' roll celebration of growin' up, cruisin' with friends and goin' steady.  The new production of Grease features songs from the smash hit 1978 motion picture for the first time ever on Broadway including "Sandy," the Academy Award nominated song "Hopelessly Devoted to You,"  "Grease" and "You're the One That I Want" both of which were #1 hits on the Billboard Top 100 list.  These songs will be heard in addition to the Jacobs/Casey songs made famous by the original stage production including "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin'" and "We Go Together."

The new production of GREASE™ features scenic design by Tony Award nominee Derek McLane (The Pajama Game), costume design by two-time Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Kiss Me Kate), lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner (The Coast of Utopia, Wicked) and sound design by Brian Ronan (Spring Awakening, Curtains).

GREASE™ is produced on Broadway by Paul Nicholas and David Ian, Nederlander Presentations, Inc. and Terry Allen Kramer by arrangement with Robert Stigwood