FLASH FRIDAY: GREASE Is The Word! A Hip History Of The Huge Stage & Screen Hit

By: Pat Cerasaro Jan. 23, 2015

In honor of this week's announcement heralding FOX's GREASE: LIVE! arriving on January 31, 2016, today we look back at the various versions of the ever-popular musical mega-hit.

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It's Got A Meaning
Beginning as a humble, ragtag amateur production written for and about the city and surrounding suburbs of Chicago in 1971, Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey's 1950s musical comedy GREASE would eventually go on to become the longest-running musical in Broadway history less than 10 years later. Nevertheless, the trajectory of GREASE from inception to Broadway bow was anything but usual - quite the opposite, as a matter of fact. Based on Jacobs's own experiences at William Howard Taft High School in Chicago, GREASE explored the early-1950s goings on at Rydell High, complete with macho, black leather-outfitted Danny Zuko and his trusty gang of greasers known by the nickname of The Burger Palace Boys, along with the sassy, strong Rizzo and her best friends The Pink Ladies, both juxtaposed by pretty, bright-eyed, newly transplanted student Sandy with whom Danny shared a torrid if short-lived affair the preceding summer. From there, our story begins on the first day of school and depicts many now-typical teen tropes such as romance, partying, infidelity, pregnancy scares, insecurity, individuality and more which are explored over the course of the show. Of course, GREASE is highlighted by one of the most memorable early numbers in any musical byway of the frolicking and rollicking "Summer Nights" which recounts the romantic time spent between Danny and Sandy that Summer - firmly establishing the central romance and dramatic thrust of the protagonists from the get-go now that Sandy has unexpectedly arrived at Rydell High. A clash of styles and class warfare result, with GREASE giving voice to the generational gap being experienced at the time as well as the schism within the young generation itself between the preppy do-gooders all about school spirit, good greades and pep squad as opposed to the perceivably bad-to-the-bone greasers, wallowing in attitude, rock music, drinking, smoking and fast cars. Undoubtedly, some things never change and the societal parallels established in GREASE hold up surprisingly well today when compared to the high schools of America here and now.

Following the amateur Chicago premiere of GREASE at the Kingston Mines Theater in Chicago, the original Off-Broadway production of the musical comedy was further refined when it was presented in a new mounting directed by Tom Moore and choreographed by Patricia Birch at the Eden Theatre, traditionally an Off-Broadway house that was nevertheless allowed to endorse Broadway contracts for the production, making GREASE eligible for the 1972 TONY AWARDS where it was nominated in several categories including Best Musical, Best Book Of A Musical and Best Actor In A Musical (Barry Bostwick). As history notes, later that Spring, GREASE moved to an official Broadway house, the Broadhurst Theatre, before relocating to yet another Broadway house later that year, the Royale, where it would remain until it closed more than 3000 performances later in 1980, at that time becoming the longest running musical in Broadway history with a total of 3,338 performances in all. Notable performers to have essayed a role in the production over the course of its legendary Broadway run include Adrienne Barbeau, Walter Bobbie, Jeff Conaway, Peter Gallagher, Patrick Swayze, Marilu Henner, Judy Kaye, Jerry Zaks, Richard Gere and John Travolta, among others. GREASE had proven by the time of its closing that it was indeed the little musical that could - and, boy, could it!

While GREASE was on Broadway, an unassuming low-budget feature film adaptation of the property hit the screen shepherded by uber producer Robert Stigwood and an up-and-coming Allan Carr. The film, released in 1978, starred stage player John Travolta opposite rising pop star Olivia Newton-John, with a notable supporting cast including many cameos by actual 1950s luminaries such as Sid Caesar, Eve Arden and Frankie Avalon. Subsequent to release, the film surpassed even the unbelievable success of the stage version, eventually going on to become one the top Top 20 highest-grossing films in history and re-released in theaters multiple times in the years since its release. Owing to the ubiquitous nature of the film, subsequent revivals of GREASE have integrated the four new songs featured in the film - the title song, "Sandy", "Hopelessly Devoted To You" and "You're The One That I Want" - as well as porting over the softer tone of the film and eschewing the more vulgar and riotous aspects of the original show. Also, a 1994 Broadway revival directed by Jeff Calhoun was a RUNAWAY hit that showcased a revolving door of celebrities ranging from Rosie O'Donnell and Billy Porter to Jon Secada and Brooke Shields. The musical has also proved popular in the West End, with the 1973 production followed up by a long-running revival in 1993. This century, both Broadway and the West End hosted revivals of the hit musical comedy in 2007, with the US iteration spearheaded by a reality competition series titled YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT, eventually crowning the winning Danny and Sandy in Max Crumm and Laura Osnes to headline the Kathleen Marshall-directed remounting of the musical.

Now, with FOX announcing a brand new live TV adaptation of GREASE designed exclusively for a 2016 audience this week, Vanessa Hudgens has been cast as Rizzo alongside Julianne Hough as Sandy in the first of what is sure to be several attention-grabbing casting and production announcements about the hot property destined to arrive over the next several weeks and months. Although January 31, 2016 may seen a long way off now, as we learned with the long build-up to PETER PAN LIVE! earlier this year and THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE! before that, it will be here faster than, well, greased lightning.
Greased Lightning
Let's take a look at some highlights from GREASE over the years as we look ahead to GREASE: LIVE!
First up, view the entire 1972 Tony Awards.
Preview the original Broadway cast recording of GREASE with "Summer Nights".
Next, the original Broadway cast of GREASE rejoin to recreate "Summer Nights" in 1985.

Now, the 1994 revival cast perform on the Tony Awards.
Also, the 1994 revival cast appear on the Macy's THANKSGIVING Day Parade.
The 1994 Broadway cast of GREASE appear on THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO.
Be sure to see this epic finale clip from GREASE reality series YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT.
Sample the revival cast of GREASE on the 2008 Tony Awards.

View the trailer for the iconic 1978 film adaptation.

Check out the sing-a-long version of GREASE.
Plus, GLEE took on GREASE a few seasons back via the ultra-hip GLEASE.
Lastly, peruse the trailer for the sequel, GREASE 2.
What is your absolute favorite version of GREASE? Furthermore, what is your personal choice for best song from the earworm-packed score for the show? Additionally, who would you ideally like to see cast in FOX's GREASE: LIVE!? With so many ripe performance opportunities available, the possibilities of potentially amazing Dannys, Kenickies, Teen Angels and beyond are virtually endless. After all, for the next year, "Grease is the way we are feeling."

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