Grease

Grease (1972), a musical comedy by Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey (book, lyrics, music). [Eden Theatre, 3,388 perf.] Innocent, sweet Sandy Dumbrowski ( Carole Demas) transfers from Immaculata to Rydell High, where she promptly wins the affection of Danny Zuko ( Barry Bostwick), a member of the “Burger Palace Boys,” a tough‐talking but harmless gang of youngsters who are known as greasers because of their slicked‐down hair. When Danny refuses to conform to her canons of behavior, she dons tight jeans, changes to a bouffant hairdo, and stoops to conquer. At the same time she gives her rival, Betty Rizzo ( Adrienne Barbeau), her comeuppance. Notable songs: Greased Lightnin'; Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee; Summer Nights; Freddy, My Love; Beauty School Dropout. After expressing the bewilderment of so many that this totally undistinguished musical, whose songs reverted to the rock and roll styles of the late 1950s, could become (for a time) the longest‐running show in Broadway history, musical theatre historian Stanley Green attempted to explain its success by concluding, “But obviously the musical hit a nerve. Though the air was primarily one of parody, Grease let us see with unerring authenticity and total lack of sentimentality the way kids actually looked and acted and felt during those . . . days that we look back on as somehow being both placid and plastic.” The musical moved from Off Broadway to the Broadhurst and then Royale Theatres for its long run. A 1994 Broadway revival was also very popular, and the musical continues to be a favorite in schools.