Grease extends booking period - again
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
GREASE has once again extended its booking period at the Piccadilly Theatre, this time by seven months – until January 10, 2009.
Previously Posted: Grease, which is currently previewing at the Piccadilly Theatre prior to opening on August 8, 2007, has already extended its booking period by four months – until June 14, 2008.
Previously posted: Casting for the musical Grease which opens at the Piccadilly Theatre on August 8, 2007 (previews from July 26) is now complete.
Joining Bayne (Danny), McFadden (Sandy) and Dillon (Patty Simcox) will be Sean Mulligan (Kenickie), Jayde Westaby (Rizzo), Lee Martin (Doody), Richard Hardwick (Roger), Bennett Andrews (Sonny), Alana Phillips (Frenchy), Laurie Scarth (Jan), Charlie Cameron (Marty), Jason Capewell (Vince/Teen Angel), Tim Newman (Eugene) and Marie Daly (Miss Lynch).
Grease will be directed by David Gilmore, choreographed by Arlene Phillips and produced by David Ian and Paul Nicholas, by arrangement with Robert Stigwood.
Previously Posted: Danny Bayne (19) and Susan McFadden (24) will be playing Danny and Sandy in David Ian’s West End revival of Grease after winning ITV’s talent show, Grease Is the Word.
McFadden, the sister of former Westlife star Brian McFadden, was determined to win on her own merit. She said:
“Obviously because Brian was a big pop star people always associated me with him and thought I was using him to help me get places. But that was never the case and I have always thought that I have something to prove.”
Grease opens at the Piccadilly Theatre on August 8, 2007 (previews from July 26).
Previously Posted: Siobhan Dillon, second runner-up in How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, will make her West End debut playing squeaky-clean cheerleader Patty Simcox in the revival of Grease, which opens at the Piccadilly Theatre on August 8, 2007 (previews from July 26).
Following her success on the reality TV show, Dillon has been writing and recording her debut album. She describes her new job as “an absolute dream come true.”
Meanwhile, the producer of Grease David Ian, one of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?‘s judges but now a judge on Grease Is The Word, said: “I knew that Siobhan was something special when I first saw her for The Sound Of Music and I am very pleased that she will be joining the cast of Grease.”
Previously Posted: A revival of the musical Grease, in which the roles of Sandy and Danny will be played by the winners of a reality TV programme, is expected to open at the Piccadilly Theatre on August 8, 2007 (previews from July 26).
The programme, Grease Is the Word, begins airing on ITV on Saturday, April 7, 2007 and will continue for ten weeks – until June 9, 2007 – during which time viewers will vote for their favourite performers.
The professional judges will be Grease‘s producer David Ian, pop star Sinitta, record producer and concert promoter David Gest, and choreographer Brian Friedman. The programme will be hosted by Zoe Ball.
Simon Cowell, whose production company Syco TV is producing Grease Is the Word, has said of the project:
“Grease is the best musical on the planet. These two parts will be the most sought-after roles in the West End. It will work beautifully for us as a reality show. There will be a lot of twists.”
Although Grease will always be remembered for the 1979 film which starred Olivia Newton-John as Sandy and John Travolta as Danny, it has been staged many times – on Broadway, in the West End and on tour.
Its has book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey and songs that include Look at Me I’m Sandra Dee, We Go Together, Hopelessly Devoted to You, Grease Lightnin’, Grease Is the Word, Summer Nights and You’re the One That I Want.