Broadway Grease Gets New Stars Taylor Hicks Windfall
Who Needs A Tony When You Have Taylor Hicks?
“Grease” is getting more than a second wind on Broadway. The satisfying revival of the popular musical just got two new leads in the production, Ashley Spencer and Derek Keeling, both came from the television casting show “You’re The One That I Want” but were runners-up. Even better for the show is that the New York Post’s Michael Riedel (who else?) reports that the arrival of Taylor Hicks on Broadway has been a huge bonus at the box-office, Riedel’s source estimates he’s worth at least an additional $150,000 a week in ticket sales. The column by Riedel is filled with dismay and worth the read, as always. With casting underway via MTV for Leagally Blonde, (say what you will, Edith) Broadway may have yet another tv casting star as well. We’ll see. -Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv
Tags: American Idol, Broadway, Debut, Grease, Leagally Blonde, Taylor Hicks
June 27th, 2008 at 8:36 am
What great news! Congratulations to Taylor Hicks and Kudos to the people responsible for making the decision to add him to GREASE! Kudos also, to this wonderful cast of actors who welcomed the gracious and talented Hicks to share their stage. He’s only been there a couple of weeks, and already refers to them as “family” when he’s interviewed. Great job everyone! Indeed, GREASE is the word!
June 27th, 2008 at 10:53 am
I’m not surprised!! Taylor Hicks is the consumate entertainer!!!!! I will go see him in anything he appears in. Love his voice and spirit!
June 27th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Great news coming from New York about Taylor Hicks! As a loyal fan of Taylor’s, he lights up any stage! He’s very talented and it shows in his performance. Those who attend GREASE will continue to see what his fans have…Taylor Hicks is a great musical artist whose charisma and talent, let along stunning good looks, are a combination for success wherever he goes! BRAVO Taylor and to this very enjoyable musical… GREASE!
June 27th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
IrishMix, you’re right. He’s a live performer, and thrives on an audience. I don’t think anyone thought he’d be so huge on Broadway.
June 27th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Kris, we’re hoping he’ll find time to talk with us too. Seems like a good person, and we’re glad for his success.
June 27th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
This is total fake PR hype. Check out the real box office numbers. His fist weeks were a drop in numbers and were in the 500,000 range.
June 27th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Dave, your wrong. Taylor started June 6th and performed also on the 7th and attendance was up the week that ended June 8th over the prior week. That was due to the soul patrol who wanted to be first to see him. The next week attendance was down very slightly, it was the week schools ended and there were graduations and parties. Then not only attendance went way up the week of June that ended last Sun. But ticket prices have gone up and gross weekly income. I had trouble getting two decent tickets for August 15th. The word is out Dave, Taylor is a natural for the stage. Don’t be so negative and paranoid! The press doesn’t lie to boost Taylor. Check the facts for yourself if you insist on being negative. Were you a fan?
June 29th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Doubt all you want, but Taylor’s record sales have little bearing on his ability to draw people to his live performances. As he proved on AI and his solo tours, he is an excellent live performer. Once again, someone only equates sucess with record sales, but thankfully that’s not everyone’s measuring stick. Theater goers are discovering that Hicks forte’ is performing live and are willing to see for themselves. I say kudos to them!
June 29th, 2008 at 10:58 am
There were a few of us who never doubted his ability to do this. He lights up a stage. Seems to have an ability to make anything better. Sometimes he amazes me.
But for me he is not only a visual performer, I love to just listen to his voice, it is very unique.
His album wasn’t all what he does best, but still great to listen to. It would have done much better with better promotion. But thats in the past. Taylor has a great future to look forward to.
June 29th, 2008 at 11:04 am
BelieveIt, I’ve always thought he’s real talent was in working the crowd and live performances, that even came across his in his AI TV appearances. It always felt like he was throwing a party on-stage and you could watch it on TV, but it wasn’t the same as the live experience.
June 29th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Man, I don’t get why the all the bitterness of some people. Why post if you don’t like the man? Very odd. Seems they can’t bear to see Mr. Hicks so successful on Broadway! It just eats them alive! Well, haters, you better dig in hard, because Mr. Hicks is on flight now, and it’s going to impossible to catch him anytime soon. ALL the evidence, all the box office numbers, all the reactions, all the enthusiasm has been simply amazing for Mr. Hicks and he is absolutely deserving of these great accolades.
Be sure to catch him on the “Capitol Fourth” 4th of July extravaganza from the West Lawn of the Capitol on your local PBS station this Friday. He, Jerry Lee Lewis and Huey Lewis will be tearing up the stages in patriotic songs and their own music. This is the BIGGEST celebration in the country. No surprise Taylor was tapped to participate. He’s SUCH a great performer - he’s establishing a reputation of being a great live performer and great recording artist and that will serve him well in the future. Best to expand your horizons and not put all your eggs in one basket, as they say.
June 29th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Broadway, you are absolutely right! I hope you get an interview with Mr. Hicks, as it seems you understand the most important element of being a GOOD live performer, which is having fun and making sure your audience does as well. Taylor does both exceptionally well! If you do interview him perhaps you could ask him if he thought his performance skills would go over so well on Broadway. I am pleasantly suprised at how well the reactions have been, as I thought he might have a harder time gaining acceptance on BW, since he lacks formal training. It goes to show that true performance skills like good music will always find an audience.
June 29th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Why does it seem so hard to believe that Taylor has given Grease new life? Go see one of his live shows. Oh, and heres a secret–he’s been entertaining and performing for over 12 yrs now. And HE knows when to play his cards to make sure he wins a BIG hand!
Bravo to Taylor and all the success he is having! AI was the springboard to get him in the public eye…not his end all be all.
June 29th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
I wouldn’t be surprised if the producers tryed to extent his contract beyond Sept 7 being that he’s so popular. Personally, I want him on tour for his new CD, so selfishly, I hope he doesn’t go beyond the original end date.