Grease - Ray Quinn joins cast as Danny Zuko
Story by Lizzie Guilfoyle
FROM May 11 to October 3, 2009, Ray Quinn will play Danny Zuko in the hit musical Grease, which is currently booking at the Piccadilly Theatre until October 31, 2009.
Although he’ll now be taking on the role made famous by John Travolta in the 1978 film, Quinn has previously appeared in Grease as Doody.
Speaking about his casting, Quinn said: “I’m so thrilled to be playing Danny in the West End. Grease is such an all time favourite and to be in the role made so famous by John Travolta is amazing. I can’t believe my luck, it’s a dream come true!”
Although Quinn shot to fame in 2006 when he was runner-up to Leona Lewis in The X Factor, he had previously appeared in the Channel 4 soap, Brookside, as teenager Anthony Murray. His debut album, Doing It My Way, was released in March 2007 and went straight to number one in the UK charts.
Quinn is currently a contestant in the fourth series of ITV’s celebrity skating competition Dancing on Ice and will appear alongside Donal MacIntyre and Jessica Taylor in Sunday night’s final. He is also scheduled to appear in the forthcoming Dancing on Ice tour.
Speaking about Quinn, the producer of Grease, David Ian, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have a performer of Ray’s stature in Grease. He has proven what an incredible talent he is on Dancing On Ice and I know he will truly thrill audiences as Danny Zuko.”
Grease, a story of love and friendship in an American school, 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.
Grease has raised £526,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support – by donating £1 from every ticket sold during its first year at the Piccadilly Theatre and staging a charity gala performance.
Read more about Grease