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| WALLINGFORD, CT. PRESS small REVIEW/small video | |
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| Topic Started: Dec 9 2009, 07:44 PM (161 Views) | |
| mouser | Dec 9 2009, 07:44 PM Post #1 |
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Wednesday, December 09, 2009 IMPORTANT UPDATE: CANCELED GREASE DATES, 12/15 and 12/17 This is an important update concerning those who purchased Grease tickets for 12/15 and/or 12/17 in Wallingford, CT. Those two dates have been canceled. If you purchased your tickets through livenation, please contact customer service: http://www.livenation.com/help Below is the confirmed schedule for Grease shows next week in Wallingford: Tuesday, Dec 15 No Show Wednesday, Dec 16 7:30 PM Thursday, Dec 17 No Show Friday, Dec 18 8 PM Saturday, Dec 19 2 PM & 8 PM Sunday, Dec 20 2 PM / No Evening Show Thank you Edited by mouser, Dec 19 2009, 07:40 AM.
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| mouser | Dec 12 2009, 08:15 AM Post #2 |
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http://www.courant.com/entertainment/arts/hc-taylorhicks.artdec13,0,5498550.story OAKDALE THEATRE Taylor Hicks, From 'American Idol' To Teen Angel In 'Grease' Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel in a national tour of "Grease" that opens at the Oakdale Theatre Dec. 16 (LARRY BUSACCA / December 7, 2009) By AMY ELLIS The Hartford Courant December 13, 2009 Taylor Hicks, Season 5 winner of "American Idol," is enjoying his run as the Teen Angel in the national tour of Grease, a role he began last summer. "I love touring," said Hicks, "in whatever shape or form touring comes in, whether it be Broadway or music, I'm very accustomed to it as I have lived on the road now for four years solid since my victory on 'Idol'." We chatted with Hicks by phone from Madison, Wis., during a major snow storm there. Q: And I thought living in New England during the winter was bad. Are you a winter person? A: Well, being from the South, not really; 18 inches of snow is definitely a change of pace for me, that's for sure. Q: Music, Broadway. What else? A: For my career, you know, I look at it like a marathon, not a sprint. You get caught up in the here and now. But for me and my career, I think it will span a body of work, as opposed to just one particular thing. Q: I hear there's a little added Taylor Hicks bonus after each "Grease" performance. A: I'm singing the single off of my brand-new record ["The Distance"] after every performance for the encore. It's called "Seven Mile Breakdown." It's a really cool way to integrate both the record and the Broadway show. ... You get to go to a Broadway show, and at the end, it's kind of a concert feel. Q: I'm sure your fans love that. A: They do. To be able to go out into the lobby and sign records and merchandise and say hello to all the fans and the people that have come to see "Grease," I feel like it's a nice added touch, to thank the people for coming out to the show. You know, let's face it, it's not the easiest times to buy tickets to shows. On my part, I feel like it's necessary to go out and thank everyone for coming and supporting the arts. Q: What's your favorite part of the show? A: Believe it or not, out of the whole show, do you know what my favorite part is? The pre-show. Because Vince Fontaine comes out and warms the crowd up 10 minutes before the "Grease" show. It is essential that people get there a little bit early; that way they can get into the '50s and the "Grease" mode. He does a wonderful job of putting everybody in the "Grease" world. Q: Would you have liked to live in the 1950s? A: I would have definitely loved to have live in the '50s! From the cars to, obviously, the music, it was a great era for style and music. ... That's what I love about "Grease." It's a great musical, it's got great songs in it and everybody sings along. Q: What are your plans for the holidays? A: Going home, back to Alabama, seeing some friends that I haven't seen in a long time. I might try my hand at a Christmas dinner. Maybe my first try at turkey and dressing. ... Any time I can get around a kitchen, I get really excited about it. •"GREASE" starring Taylor Hicks opens Wednesday at the Oakdale Theatre, 95 S. Turnpike Road, Wallingford. The show runs through Dec. 20. Tickets are $27 to $77 (plus service charges). Performances are Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8; and Dec. 20, 2 p.m. There is no show on Thursday. Information, 203-265-1501 or www.livenation.com. |
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| mouser | Dec 14 2009, 06:35 PM Post #3 |
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DUE TO ILLNESS, TAYLOR HAS CANCELED HIS MEDIA APPEARANCE IN CONNECTICUT. WE WISH HIM A RAPID RECOVERY . MEDIA BLITZ Thursday, December 17 8:00am – WTIC FM 96.5 (live performance) http://www.965tic.com/ 8:20am – WRCH 100.5(live performance) http://radiotime.com/station/s_22346/Lite_1005_WRCH.aspx Ace Young stepped in for Taylor and mentioned him. Check out video http://www.wrch.com/pages/5919724.php HERE IS THE DOWNLOAD FOR THE INTERVIEW http://www.sendspace.com/file/sy5c9s 8:45am – WTIC AM 1080(interview) http://www.wtic.com/ 10:00am – Better CT LIVE (CBS) (live performance before 10:30am) http://www.wfsb.com/betterct/index.html Edited by mouser, Dec 19 2009, 03:10 PM.
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| mouser | Dec 19 2009, 07:15 AM Post #4 |
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It takes this guy a little while to get to "the point" ( which for Taylor Hicks fans , is TAYLOR HICKS ) , but he finally gets there....... cutesy from a GUY who is clueless about Grease . I respect his honesty and understand his dilemma. Taylor gets star billing because he is the main draw for gate receipts. Ace does not because he is a late entry into the Grease family...... I am wondering if in 2010, the addition of Ace's name on the posters , etc will be a fait accompli or whether the marketing "genius's " will figure, " if it ain't broke, don't fix it"........ http://agoldoffish.wordpress.com/2009/12/19/grease-is-the-word/ Stewartry “12.19.09 Grease is the word… by stewartry The word for what, I don’t really know, but that’s what the song says. I’ll come back to that. ...... My sister gave me an early Christmas present tonight: she and The Kid and I went to see Taylor Hicks in Grease at what used to be the Oakdale Theatre. That’s how it’s billed: Grease, with Taylor Hicks!! Now, I’ve never seen Grease. I’ve seen bits and pieces, but when I think “musical” I think Rogers & Hammerstein, or Gilbert & Sullivan (I know, I know: operetta), or Sondheim. I think Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire and Donald O’Connor, Mitzi Gaynor and Julie Andrews and yes, even Audrey Hepburn. I do not think John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. I’ve always loved musicals; I don’t know why I never sought out this one. Still, the fact remains that when I see “Taylor Hicks is Teen Angel” it means about as much to me as “Martin Csokas is Celeborn” means to most people: zip. So when my sister said we were going, I was interested. Overjoyed about Grease? No. Tickled about seeing Taylor live? Soul Patrol!! Woo! And we had truly great seats. Although the sign at the entrance to the parking lot – “GREASE TAYLOR HICKS” – seemed strangely inappropriate to me. Okay. So a little before showtime, with houselights still up, the curtains open to reveal a podium set up onstage, and a man – Domenic Fortuna to be exact – wearing a pink zebra-striped jacket and leather pants – and a ducktail, can’t forget the ducktail – bounds out. He introduces himself as Vince Fontaine, DJ at WAXX radio, and proceeds to warm up the crowd. Warming up the audience And he was terrific. He yelled out town names looking for people from there to identify themselves, and when he ran through the few he knew asked for more: ”Higganum?? What the hell is Higganum?!” Which then became the catchword for the evening. We the audience were taken section by section and given dance moves – the far right had the Twist. A volunteer was called on to demonstrate said Twist, and he picked a young girl… who turned in a full circle. Which is the way I will henceforth do the Twist if called upon to do so. Our section had “the Swim”, at which I’m pretty pitiful. Hey, to quote Fezzik, I only dog-paddle. The group at the back got an unnamed move which was basically the John Travolta-what’shername move from Pulp Fiction, so when he asked for a name I yelled out “Travolta” (appropriate given the show). But I think “the Higganum” is a much better name. So – Vince sang us several songs, was generally very entertaining, and then we were off. (Later, when Vince djed for the prom and ends up necking in the corner with Marty, he exclaimed “Let’s go – I hear it’s legal in Higganum!” Well done. And I want to use that.) Now, we were looking at the program before the show started, and all of a sudden I said “Ace Young? Wait, no, is that a character name?” Nope. Danny Zuko was played by Ace Young from American Idol, season 5, came in 7th – the same season as Chris Daughtry and, I had totally forgotten, Taylor Hicks. Which begs the question – what the hell?! What a shoddy thing to do to the poor boy – never the whisper of a mention in any advertising I ever saw for the show. Wow. Especially since he was really very good. He wasn’t my favorite on Idol, by a long stretch; he was a little … well, to use a topical word, greasy. But he did “Father Figure” – kind of a greasy song, admittedly, but good - and – woo. That was one of the most, er, memorable performances from Idol, ever. And this role suits him down to the ground. He reminded me of Cory Monteith from Glee (with, sorry Finn, a better voice). The show as a whole was very enjoyable – but he was undeniably the star. Good on Ace. But… Where was Taylor? I kept expecting a transfer student from somewhere (though Taylor wasn’t of an age for that kind of role when he was on Idol, and that was a few years ago), or something … And then the first act was over. Huh. It was only then that we took a look at “Scenes and Musical Numbers” and saw that “Teen Angel” showed up in Act 2, in … one song. Waitaminnit. You mean to say that with all of the Hicks-heavy advertising he’s going to be in the show for about five minutes?? Come on, he’s about a third of the poster on the left there. I don’t care what school of advertising you follow, that’s more than a little outrageous. Okay, though; we were having fun. We waited. A little ways into the second act, Frenchy (played brilliantly by Kate Morgan Chadwick) is hanging around outside the burger joint (over the front of which is suspended a big giant ice cream cone) trying to talk herself into going in to apply for the job a sign says is open. Knowing that the song coming up was “Beauty School Dropout”, it wasn’t much of a surprise that she had dropped out of beauty school, for which she had dropped out of high school, and now she’s at loose ends and wishing for an angel to show up to guide her, like in the movies. Cue smoke rising from the big giant ice cream cone, which opens out to reveal – yes, finally, Taylor Hicks in a sparkly suit. Your story’s sad to tell, a teenage ne’er-do-well Most mixed up non-delinquent on the block Your future’s so unclear now, what’s left of your career now Can’t even get a trade-in on your smile Beauty school dropout, no graduation day for you Beauty school dropout, missed your midterms and flunked shampoo Well at least you could have taken time to wash and clean your clothes up After spending all that dough to have the doctor fix your nose up Baby get moving (better get moving), why keep your feeble hopes alive? What are you proving (what are you proving)? You’ve got the dream, but not the drive If you go for your diploma, you could join a steno pool Turn in your teasin’ comb and go back to high school Beauty school dropout, hangin’ around the corner store Beauty school dropout, it’s about time you knew the score Well they couldn’t teach you anything, you think you’re such a looker But no customer would go to you, unless she was a hooker (Frenchy laughs hysterically) Baby don’t sweat it, you’re not cut out to hold the job Better forget it who wants their hair done by a slob (she snuggles up to him, and says … something) Now your bangs are curled, your lashes twirled, and still the world is cruel Wipe off that angel face and go back to high school Baby don’t blow it, don’t put my good advice to shame Baby you know it, even Dear Abby’s say the same Now I’ve called the shot, get off the pot, I really gotta fly Gotta be goin’ to that maltshop in the sky Beauty school drop-out, go back to high school Beauty school drop-out, go back to high school Beauty school drop-out, go back to high school (Thanks to allmusicals.com) And back he goes into the ice cream cone, playing the harmonica as he rises. I missed what Frenchy said in there, but happily my sister didn’t: “I voted for you!” Beautiful. And that was it. I think they might have expanded the song a little from the movie – – but – that was it. The rest of the show unfolded in the manner in which it was intended, which felt completely wrong – I mean, really? In order to get the guy and be happy in high school you have to become a slut? But, whatever, there was some good stuff. Roger and Jan (Will Blum and Bridie Carroll) were wonderful. Lauren Ashley Zakrin as Sandy and Laura D’Andre as Rizzo were mostly great. Ace and Kate Morgan Chadwick and Domenic Fortuna, as mentioned, were terrific. But Taylor is prominently billed. I was feeling kind of mutinous when the curtain fell. Somewhat predictably, after curtain calls there was an encore, a medley of the show’s songs which did include Taylor doing an abridged “Greased Lightnin’”. And then, just as a few people were getting up to leave, out came Vince Fontaine: “Ladies and gentlemen, from 1959 to 2009, with “Seven Mile Breakdown” from his latest album, Taylor Hicks!” Woo. Lovely. If you squint you can tell he's playing harmonica It was a canny move on the part of the producers. And while it still wasn’t the quantity of Taylor I would have liked, and while it was still slimy business to advertise his appearance the way they did – I wonder how many people went just to see Taylor – AND not to give Ace any mention at all… all in all, I left with a good feeling. He’s still great fun, I’m delighted to have seen him live – and Grease was pretty good too. Thanks, Shar! |
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| Gr8fulheart | Dec 19 2009, 09:50 AM Post #5 |
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I had to laugh thru most of this. I even found myself saying; "I Voted For You" ~ its "I Voted For You!"  At least the guy began to understand it all. Give him a break ~ he's obviously 'New to the WOOOOO'! 
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| mouser | Dec 24 2009, 07:16 AM Post #6 |
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Excerpt from : Wednesday, December 23, 2009 The Grease Travelling Company Reaches Wallingford and Mary Magpie Is Waiting... I was invited to view the show Grease at the Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford CT last Friday night, and you could say I was excited as I ran down the hallways saying "Guess what I'm doing tonight!!" Regardless, I saw this as an incredible opportunity. The road tour show was wonderful, and I have to say that the thing that really blew me away was the singing. It was easily some of the best singing I've heard all year. Ace Young and Laura Zakrin took on the lead roles. I thought for sure it would be more American Idol but Ace as well as headlined Taylor Hicks performed, well, like Broadway actors, not talent show contestants as I had thought. I had seen school productions of Grease so I was familiar with the story. Seeing adults in the role of teenagers didn't phase me. The actors were convincing and strong. Between the emotion and meaning behind it and the outstanding stage presence, the show had me captivated. "Magic Changes" was nothing short of breathtaking. Along with that and "Sandra Dee" those were the best performances of the night. The stage was well designed and detailed and the only flaw I could find was the echo back of the sound system. Not a flaw of the performers but of the crew. A sparkly-suited Taylor Hicks coming out of an ice cream cone as Teen Angel was just icing on the cake. ....Grease is the word. http://www.rocknycliveandrecorded.com/2009/12/grease-travelling-company-reaches.html |
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| Gr8fulheart | Dec 24 2009, 09:28 AM Post #7 |
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I must wonder how many people are pleasantly 'startled' with Taylor being revealed within an ice cream cone. That was a very clever move. 
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