Song:Summer Nights
Album:Grease: The Original Broadway Cast Album
Many of you are probably familiar with the 1978 film version of Grease starring John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John. But you may not be familiar with the 1972 original Broadway show. 50s nostalgia became a big thing in the late 60s. Jim Jacobs wrote Grease based on his high school experiences. It was staged in Chicago as Grease Lightning and then Jacobs and Warren Casey turned it into a musical. It first played off Broadway in Feb. 1972 and moved to Broadway in June. Barry Bostwick has had a long career in TV and films but Grease was his first big break. Carole Demas has had a long career on the New York stage. Grease was also her first big break. Bostwick was born Feb. 24, 1945 in San Mateo, CA. After studying acting at NYU, he was a member of The Klowns, a costumed pop group employed by Ringling Bros. circus. They actually recorded an album. He auditioned for Grease and got the role of Danny Zuko. He was nominated for a Tony. It was his big break. From there, he won a Tony for the 1977 musical The Robber Bridegroom. Bostwick is best known for starring in the film The Rocky Horror Picture Show and the 90s sitcom Spin City. Carole Demas was born May 26, 1940 in Brooklyn, NY. The role of Sandy in Grease is her most significant role but she has appeared on stage and performed in New York clubs for decades. She also starred in the PBS TV series The Magic Garden. Grease was very successful and ran on Broadway for eight years. The Original Broadway Cast album is available as a budget CD. The 1978 film is much different because it was rewritten to suit the two stars. Purists can complain about it but it's not surprising that the film is different. Recent revivals of Grease have reflected some of the changes that were in the film. But like the 50s, the original 1972 version of Grease is always going to seem more innocent and pure. Here's Barry Bostwick & Carole Demas performing Summer Nights on PBS Great Performances 1985.
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