Photo: Taylor Hicks in Grease

I wasn't sure anything was going to be scarier than those first shots of Clay Aiken in Spamalot, but lo and behold, I was wrong.

Here is a photo of American Idol winner Taylor Hicks in the Broadway revival of Grease.



Wowza.

Thoughts?

The NY Times Is Not So Fond of the New Grease

If there was any doubt of the way I feel about Ben Brantley, the lead theater critic for the New York Times, my affection for the old stodger was confirmed in the first paragraph of his review of the new production of Grease, starring reality tv finds Max Crumm and Laura Osnes:

"Changing the channel is not an option. I am sorry to report that the limp new production of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s “Grease,” which opened last night at the Brooks Atkinson Theater, is not governed by the rules of audience control that applied to “Grease: You’re the One That I Want,” the reality TV show through which this revival cast its stars. The spectacle of all those bouncy, sunny young things self-consciously singing off-key, suggesting a karaoke night in Fort Lauderdale during spring break, was a sobering reminder of why the remote control exists."

I mean, the man is a genius.

Now, granted, I haven't seen the new production, so I can't really attest to the accuracy of his assertions, but still...

The man is a genius.

Theater Notes: Spring Awakening, Grease, and Tamyra Gray

Summer is generally a pretty slow time for theater in New York, but there's still a few exciting things going on worth noting:

-I caught Spring Awakening, the recipient of 8 Tony Awards (including Best Musical), again this past weekend. I had seen the show when it played Off-Broadway last year, and saw the show a few times when it was in previews, so I was excited to see how it was holding up about 6 months into it's run. I'm happy to report it is as good, if not better, than ever. The music is so incredibly beautiful, and the lyrics become more meaningful with each additional listen. The actors, meanwhile, seem to have found new nuances that make the show's story of adolescent sexual repression and the dangers of parents not being honest with their children resonate even deeper.

Tony winner John Gallagher, as tortured soul Mortiz, has definitely amped up the angst, and while he is slightly more affected than he was earlier in the run, it's still a very powerful performance. Lea Michele is as effective as ever as the ill-fated Wendla, but it's Jonathan Groff who really stands out as the rebellious Melchior. His singing voice is superb, and his acting is nothing short of sensational -- he's funny, he's moving, and he's gorgeous! If you can, catch this show while the three young stars-to-be are still around. Click here to buy tickets.

-Tickets for Grease, starring reality show winners Laura Osnes and Max Crumm, went on sale yesterday. After seeing these kids everywhere during the awards season it's a little hard to believe they just started rehearsals last week. I can't imagine the show is going to be anything but a trainwreck, but somehow it's a trainwreck I don't think I can avoid missing. Click here to purchase tickets.

-Finally, I revisited the old chestnut Rent last week to check out American Idol alum Tamyra Gray in the role of Mimi. While she is not giving the kind of tour de force performance Fantasia is giving in The Color Purple, she acquits herself quite nicely as the drug addicted, HIV-infected spitfire. If her acting leaves a little bit to be desired, her voice is sensational (she may be the best singer who has ever played the role) and her dancing is surprisingly powerful.

While Christopher Hanke as Mark disappointed a bit (bringing very little humor or charm to the role), the rest of the show is in fine shape -- Troy Horne makes an excellent Tom Collins, Nicolette Hart is a feisty (and loud!) Maureen, and Tonya Dixon brings an unexpected power to Joanne. Best of all, though, was understudy Luther Creek as Roger. Not only does he sing the hell out of the part, his subtle acting choices and rich inner life made me truly believe this guy had shut himself off from the world and was just biding his time until his death. As a result, songs that have at times bored me ("I Should Tell You," "Your Eyes") became incredibly emotional, as you watched this woman (Mimi) actually touch his soul and cause him to change and open himself up. Creek's performance was the heart of the show.

It'll be interesting to see what happens when original stars Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal return to their roles this summer. Will they seem too old, or will they bring a special energy to The Nederlander? Guess we'll have to wait and see...

Click here to buy tickets to Rent.

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Monday Morning Musings: Zodiac, Amazing Race, Grease, J-Hud

- I saw David Fincher's new film Zodiac, starring Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal and Robert Downey Jr, over the weekend. I'm always game for a good psychological thriller, I like Fincher's Se7en and Fight Club very much, and I'm a big fan of all three actors, so I had high hopes for the film, even though I knew it was a butt-numbing 2 hours and 40 minutes. However, while the movie definitely features some creepy, surprising moments and all of the actors do subtle, nuanced work, the film as a whole really didn't work for me. As much a tale about the detectives and journalists' obsession with the Zodiac killer as it is about the killings themselves, I thought it lacked a strong enough focus and dramatic thrust to warrant its very long running time. I'm betting the non-fiction book Zodiacby the real Robert Graysmith is a far more interesting read than the film is a viewing experience.

- I have a confession to make...I have loved Rob Mariano since the first time he was on Survivor. Amber, well, I could take her or leave her, but I think Rob is a brilliant reality show gameplayer, he's funny as hell, and I find him, dare I say, quite sexy (I'm a sucker for a Boston accent). He's also, unfortunately, arrogant, manipulative and overconfident, and it was those sterling qualities that led to his and Amber's demise on The Amazing Race. I am sorry to see them go, especially since it was endlessly entertaining watching the other Race-ers fester and complain as Rob and Am-buh swept the prizes the first three works straight. Alas, another chapter on Romber's Reality Tour comes to an end. Look for Rob & Amber: Coping With an Eighth Place Finish on CBS during May sweeps.

- Last night, after yet another cringe-inducing episode of Grease: You're The One That I Want, I realized that this show actually makes me a little embarrassed to be a fan of Broadway musicals. I mean, not only is it terribly produced (terrible costumes, illogical song choices, inept hosts), but the hopefuls don't even possess much talent. Since my "favorite" Danny (Chad) got voted off (and I use the word "favorite" very loosely), I guess if I had to choose a Danny and Sandy from the bunch I'd go with Max (who is so much more a Doody than a Danny) and Laura. But Kathleen Marshall and David Ian have got to be sweatin' in their boots right about now, because I can't imagine there's a ton of people sitting at home thinking, "Please, let me pay $110 to go see any one of these people in Grease." If those people do exist, I'm certainly not one of them.

- Finally, Jennifer Hudson picked up yet another award this weekend, winning the Soul Train Award's Sammy Davis Jr. Prize for Entertainer of the Year. Think she even noticed with all the other accolades she's gotten in the past few months? Geez, share the wealth Jennifer!