Grease is the word, especially around Broadway this week (well, Grease and Tony). Not only did FOX announce plans to air a live musical adaption of the iconic musical, but Paper Mill Playhouse gave us the vapors when they unveiled the kick-ass ensemble of T-Birds and Pink Ladies that are going to moon, shake and hand jive in Jersey this summer.
Taylor Louderman (Sandy Dumbrowski)
Fans of the Tony-nominated musical Bring It On are well aware that star Taylor Louderman is going nail good-girl Sandy, but after seeing this video of Louderman tapping into her inner Britney, we can’t wait to meet bad girl Sandy. #TellMeAboutItStud
Bobby Conte Thornton (Danny Zuko)
Before newcomer Bobby Conte Thornton takes on the super cool greaser Danny Zuko, let’s see him play someone a little less cool, a little more hunched, a little more Disney…someone like Quasimodo.
Robin De Jesús (Doody)
What is there to say about Robin de Jesús? The boy steals just about every show he is a part of, as his two Tony nominations will attest. The ultra-charming veteran of Camp,In the Heights and La Cage aux Folles is going to bring scene-stealing realness to the part of Doody, and everyone should just be prepared to have their breath taken away.
Morgan Weed (Betty Rizzo)
Everyone knows that any production of Grease lives or dies by its Betty Rizzo (the fiercest student at Rydell High), and if Morgan Weed’s rendition of Pink is any indication, this production is going to soar.
Shane Donovan (Kenickie)
You know what's almost as good as a fierce Rizzo? A dead sexy Kenickie. Yes ma’am. Check out Paper Mill’s Shane Donovan singing The Beatles’ I Want You (She’s So Heavy).
Dana Steingold (Frenchy)
Stop it with Dana Steingold! Stop it right now. Watch this video performance of “Sherman & Madeline” and try to argue that she doesn’t have the perfect sound for Frenchy. I’d even let her pierce my ears.
Tommy Bracco (Sonny)
Newsies hunk Tommy Bracco returns to Paper Mill to play wise guy Sonny. If this triple-threat performer serves half of what he’s serving in this Prom Queen video, then audiences better buckle up.
Tess Soltau (Marty)
Tess Soltau has appeared in New York productions of The Addams Family and Into the Woods, but the role of Freddy-loving Marty could be a great breakout for the big-voiced blonde.
Matt Wood (Roger)
If the video above is a preview, then Grease audiences can expect Matt Wood to bring plenty of laughs and some serious vocals to the song “Mooning.”
Leela Rothenberg (Jan)
Check out the absolutely adorable Leela Rothenberg performing “I Can Hear the Bells” from Hairspray. Her and Matt Wood are going to make such a great pair.
Telly Leung (Teen Angel)
Broadway favorite and Glee alum Telly Leung will surely be a teenage dream as the advice-spouting Teen Angel. Tony winner Billy Porter stole the 1994 revival with his rendition of “Beauty School Dropout,” and Leung might just do the same here twenty years later.
The cast also includes Joey Sorge (Vince Fontaine), Donna English (Miss Lynch), Eloise Kropp (Patty Simcox), Tyler Jones (Eugene) and Kat Nejat as Cha-Cha, the best dancer at St. Bernadette's…with the worst reputation.
Grease runs at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, NJ May 28 through June 29, 2014.
