They Shoot Greasers, Don’t They?
They Shoot Greasers, Don’t They? by Roxanne McDonald
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Grease Academy has begun; no more laughing, no more fun; if you don’t show your teeth or tongue, you will pay a forfeit. |
I’m watching my favorites, Derek Keeling, the John Stamos look-alike, and Allie Schultz, the one with the Elisabeth Shue eyes and teeth. I’m also watching, in some ways, a throwback to not only the preparation for the 50s setting of Grease but the trial and elimination process.
Interestingly enough, while the final contestants perform for Kathleen Marshall (choreographer, Tony Award winner) and Jim Jacobs (original co-creator of the phenom, Grease),
getting the eye rolls, the laughs, and the notes and points scratched down on those intimidating clipboards–a process somewhat typical to contemporary elimination shows—the actual eliminations are done when David Ian arrives.
As one “Grease: You’re the One that I Want” competitor tells us, since David Ian walked through the door, it’s put the pressure on. It’s getting real, now.” And the format for elimination is unique to today’s reality and more in line with the atmosphere of the 50s.
During the dance and sing segments, each contestant performs in tandem. David Ian then walks about the room and touches the shoulder of anyone who is not Danny or Sandy, because he or she is not singing or dancing well enough for the role. It is, I noticed, the same way the judges at 50s dance marathons would eliminate someone.
However, as David Bianculli of the New York Daily News suggests, “Grease: You’re the One that I Want” is still not very “desirable”.
No Frills, a Couple of Thrills–“Grease: You’re the One that I Want”
No Frills, a Couple of Thrills–“Grease: You’re the One that I Want” by Roxanne McDonald
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The auditioners sometimes more fit to be the people the characters are based on than sing them, “Grease…” tryouts just okay. |
A young woman sings the hallmark Stockard Channing/Betty Rizzo song, “There are Worse Things I Could Do” and sounds great…but sings and looks more like Olivia Newton John/Sany Olssen than any other character, let alone Rizzo.
A gorgeous-looking guy steps onto the audition stage in a most apropos thug jacket, hair greased into a DA, and body that will not quit…for a Bronx gang leader or street tough. His singing, however more than departs from Travolta’s Danny Zuko…it flies off the charts of harmonious and in-key.
And a young woman this viewer would immediately peg as a Rizzo, aims to try out as Sandy, saying, “Some people might not see me as a Sandy, but I can daaaance [like nobody’s business]!”
The tryouts for “Grease: You’re the One that I Want” aired
on NBC this Sunday, January 07, 2007, offering audiences a look at an actual stage play audition (bare stage, auditorium with regular old seats, and three “directors”—in this case, judges, Kathleen Marshall, Jim Jacobs, and David Ian). But further, while “Grease…” is set up as a standard audition series with a more pointed objective (as opposed to a general title of winner, say), it also takes from contemporary TV reality/talent shows, first, of course, televising what are usually closed auditions and second, inviting viewers to vote (ala Idol, et.al reality talent shows).
With the a capella singing, the blank slate of a stage, and the generally quiet and reserved commentary of the judges, viewers might decline calling in (or texting in, as is the most contemporary of interactivities—a term which you will have to add to your Microsoft dictionary, by the way). They might even change the channel or fast-forward their TiVos (yes, another word to add to the lexicon).
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