Originally
staged as a five-hour amateur production in a Chicago trolley
barn, Grease took a satirical look at the dress, manners,
morals, and music of teenagers at the beginning of the rock and
roll era. The plot revolves primarily around the attraction between
greaser Danny Zuko and the virtuous Sandy Dumbrowski. The show
spawned such musical hits as "Summer Nights," "Greased
Lightning," and "Beauty School Dropout."
Grease opened at the Off-Broadway Eden Theatre, moved
on to Broadway at the Broadhurst, and was eventually transferred
to the Royale. Along the way, it enjoyed a run of 3,388 performances--a
record which would stand until 1980 when it was overtaken by
A Chorus Line. The original cas featured Barry Bostwick
and Carole Demas. John Travolta and Olivia Newton John starred
in the 1978 film version.
|