Grease: American Idol Season Five winner,
Taylor Hicks, to play 'Teen Angel' from 6 Jun

“American Idol” Season Five winner, Taylor Hicks, will make his Broadway debut when he joins the cast of the Tony Award nominated new Broadway production of Grease playing the role of 'Teen Angel' from 6 Jun 2008.

Hicks will assume the role from original cast member Stephen R.Buntrock who plays his final performance on 5 Jun 2008

Taylor Hicks achieved widespread fame in 2006 as the winner of the fifth season of the FOX singing competition 'American Idol.' His fans have dubbed themselves the 'Soul Patrol.'

“I am incredibly excited to be a part of one of my favorite musicals” says Hicks. “The Soul Patrol’s gonna invade Broadway!”

Grease opened on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on 19 Aug 2007, following previews from 24 Jul 2007, where it is currently booking through to 16 Nov 2008.

The musical opened to mosty poor reviews: "If you want to see "Grease," rent the movie." (New York Theatre Guide); "Chills don't start multiplying, antsiness does." (New York Daily News); "Grease" doesn't sizzle, its ingredients tend to congeal." (Star-Ledger); "It all seems somewhat counterfeit." (Variety).

After 12 weeks of nationally televised auditions in the NBC reality television 'Grease, You'te The One That I Want!', Laura Osnes and Max Crumm were selected to play the roles of 'Sandy' and 'Danny' in the new Broadway production of Grease.

In addition to Max Crumm as 'Danny' and Laura Osnes as 'Sandy,'”Grease also stars Ryan Patrick Binder as 'Doody,' Susan Blommaert as 'Miss Lynch,' Will Blum as 'Roger,' Jeb Brown as 'Vince,' Stephen Buntrock as 'Teen Angel', Allison Fischer as 'Patty,' Robyn Hurder as 'Marty,' Lindsay Mendez as 'Jan,' Jenny Powers as 'Rizzo,' Jose Restrepo as 'Sonny,' Matthew Saldivar as 'Kenickie,' Jamison Scott as 'Eugene' and Kirsten Wyatt as 'Frenchy.'

Grease: Based on the sub-cultures of high school life in the 1950's. The show takes place at the hyperactive Rydell High School, where Danny Zuko fronts his gang - the raucous T-Birds - who romance their sassy female equivalents - the Pink Ladies. When 'good-girl' Sandy Dumbrowski arrives in town, the Pink Ladies take her under their collective wing.

Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (The Pajama Game, Wonderful Town), Grease features book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.

The production features scenic design by Derek McLane, costumes design by Martin Pakledinaz, lighting design by Kenneth Posner and sound design by Brian Ronan.

Grease is produced on Broadway by Paul Nicholas and David Ian, Nederlander Presentations, Inc. and Terry Allen Kramer by arrangement with Robert Stigwood.

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