Grease Revival to Open at the Brooks Atkinson in July?

The New York Post's Michael Riedel writes that the Brooks Atkinson Theatre is a likely candidate for hosting the upcoming Broadway revival of Grease.

According to the columnist, the production is currently slated to follow A Moon for the Misbegotten, starring Kevin Spacey, into the theatre.  As previously announced, Grease will open on July 24th, 2007.

Thanks in large part to the reality show talent search "Grease: You're the One That I Want," the Grease revival has already racked up more than $1.3 million in advance sales.  "If ticket sales continue to be this strong, expect the producers to look around for a bigger theater (more seats, more money!). The Palace is high on their list, should Legally Blonde, yet another musical based on a movie, go the way of High Fidelity," Riedel writes. Auditions for Grease were previously held at the Palace.

Produced by Paul Nicholas and David Ian Associates, Nederlander Presentations, Inc and Phoenix Productions by arrangement with Robert Stigwood, Grease will be directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (The Pajama Game). Grease, featuring book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, is, according to press materials, "a rock n' roll high school musical celebration of  growin' up, cruisin' with friends and goin' steady."

NBC is conducting a nationally televised casting search for the lead roles of Sandy Dumbrowski and Danny Zuko with the new weekly talent competition series "Grease: You're the One That I Want."  The show premiered on NBC on Sunday, January 7th at 8:00 p.m. EST to an average of 11.6 million viewers.  It was a special 90-minute debut episode featuring thousands of  hopefuls auditioning for the chance of a lifetime -- a starring role in a Broadway show.  On-air judges Marshall, Ian and Jacobs narrow down the field and then the vote is in America's hands.  Each week a new "Sandy" and "Danny" will be voted off until America chooses their favorite pair to star in the new Broadway production.  Hosted by Billy Bush ("Access Hollywood") and Denise van Outen,  "Grease: You're the One That I Want" is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions.  The BBC's Paul Telegdy, Emmy nominated Conrad Green ("Dancing with the Stars") and Ian are the Executive Producers.

Tickets for Grease can be purchased at TicketMaster.com or by calling (212) 307-4100.  Group Sales are available by calling Nederlander Group Sales at 212-840-3890.

Photo - "You're the One That I Want" judges David Ian, Kathleen Marshall and Jim Jacobs; photo courtesy of www.nbc.com/grease