Shows · Gease

Gease

Opened 1972

3,388 performances

Musical, Revolution

Adrienne Barbeau, who was in the 1972 production. John Manard

A surprise runaway hit, Grease opened at the Off-Broadway Eden Theatre (formerly the Phoenix), then moved on Broadway to the Broadhurst and then the Royale. And there it remained until April 13, 1980, for a record run that was not overtaken until A Chorus Line danced past the mark. The show, which began life as a five-hour amateur production in a Chicago trolley barn, took a satirically on-target view of the dress, manners, morals, and music of teenagers at the beginning of the rock and roll era. Set in the fictitious Rydell High School in Chicago, it is chiefly concerned with the attraction between greaser Danny Zuko (Barry Bostwick) and prim and proper Sandy Dumbrowski (Carole Demas), who eventually learns that there is little virtue in virtue. Mocking individuality and championing conformity, the musical hit a responsive chord in youthful audiences that could identify with teenagers having little on their minds except hanging out and making out. On Broadway, Danny was played by nine actors including Treat Williams. John, Travolta, who was Danny in the 1978 movie opposite Olivia Newton-John, played Doody in the first of three touring companies. Polydor OC/ Pocket Books (1972); Stein & Day (1979)/ SF.

Music: Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey
Lyrics: Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey
Book: Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey

Productions1 on Broadway

1972

Eden TheatreBroadway Original, opened February 14, 1972, directed by Tom Moore

3,388 performances

Songs10 songs

Summer Nights, Freddy, My Love, Greased Lightnin’, Mooning, Look at Me, I’m Sandra Dee, We Go Together, It’s Raining on Prom Night, Beauty School Dropout, Alone at a Drive-In Movie, There Are Worse Things I Could Do

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