If you are a seasoned old timer like me, you long ago realized that AI is less about a "singing competition" and more about making some 19 and Sony/BMG folks richer.
It's about the ratings, stupid !!
AI could not have said it clearer than when they recently announced the addition of Ellen Degeneres to the judging panel. I'm sure Ellen loves music, probably owns some CD's, and certainly has the power to promote anyone she chooses. What I'm not sure about is what exactly qualifies her to judge musical acumen. She doesn't sing, doesn't produce, doesn't write or do any of the things that would give her musical opinion any credibility.
What Ellen does do is bring star power. She comes on the tail of a long time, highly rated talk show with lots of viewers. And there is the rub ... drawing new viewers and saving the ratings that have begun to slide since Season 5. She has shown her ability (a la Clive Davis) to tell America they got it wrong.
Be sure to check out this great blog piece for a deeper look into what Ellen brings to AI:
Idolizing Ellen
http://www.writeonnewjersey.com/2009/09/idolizing-ellen/
By the way, if you don't know, Rewind of Season 5 is just starting to air. Watch Taylor's victory again, even sweeter now that you have followed him and know his story.
Showing posts with label Grease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grease. Show all posts
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
Grease~sweet home, Chicago!
Taylor Hicks warms up this town…
Chicago loves Grease and Taylor Hicks!
Chicago has loved this show for years. It’s loving it again—the music, the young cast (Danny and Sandy leads, Eric Schneider and Emily Padgett, are from Illinois), and Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel. The original tale of life at Taft High was told by Jim Jacobs in the musical that opened at Chicago’s Kingston Mines Theater in 1971. It hasn’t been the same since, evolving to a hit movie starring John Travolta and Oliver Newton-John, the original Broadway show, and the recent 2007 Broadway revival production.
Grease is still Chicago’s baby. Jacobs sat in the audience on opening night and spoke to the media about his original memoir of life in the 50s at Taft High as edgy and racy. “There would be a sign in the window, ‘If this were a movie, it would be R rated.’” There was even an appeal in the press last week for the return of the original, more realistic Grease.
While the show and cast have been well received in the Windy City, the star billing was undeniably for Taylor Hicks. He was everywhere—appearing on early morning news shows, talking with media, and looking for the ultimate cheeseburger.
Take a look at some of the press, as modern whomp meets Northern soul and produces pure entertainment.
From Andy Argyrakis at hearsay.cc:
“Of course before anyone could dig too deep into the storyline, all eyes locked on Hicks, who descended from the ceiling as Teen Angel (aptly following in the footsteps of Frankie Avalon and even Chubby Checker) for a short but sweet rendition of “Beauty School Dropout.” The 2006 “American Idol” winner added some soulful flourishes to the number thanks to a short harmonica solo at the end and had no problem hamming it up with his campy flair burning brightly, despite no prior acting experience.
“After all the actors bowed, fans were treated to a concert-like encore featuring a medley of the show’s greatest hits led by Hicks. He broke out the harmonica yet again for the title track, while reprisals of “Born To Hand-Jive” and “You’re the One That I Want” had so much pep they matched the dynamism of Less Than Jake’s unconventional covers collection chronicling the same soundtrack.”
From Steven Oxman at “Variety”…
“While ‘Grease,’ the touring version of the recently closed Broadway revival, lacks the inspiration and emotional sincerity needed to be more than merely peppy and puerile, it does come alive from a sheer kitsch perspective when Taylor Hicks of "American Idol" fame emerges from a giant ice cream cone to sing "Beauty School Dropout." In fact, the biggest laugh of the evening comes when the flirtatious Frenchy twirls Mr. Hicks' exposed chest hair and purrs, ‘I voooted for you.’
“The line, delivered deliciously by standout Kate Morgan Chadwick, has layers of significance beyond a single moment of self-conscious humor, since this "Grease," directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, was originally birthed on the NBC reality show "Grease: You're the One That I Want," in which the television audience selected the previously unknown Max Crumm and Laura Osnes to become Rialto headliners in the revival.
“The ensemble boasts plenty of chops, particularly an ability to capture the melodic elements of the songs. And they do their best to amp up the comedy. But, the little love stories that drive the plot have no dramatic force whatsoever. All the scenes have the same energy, the emotions are all plastic, and the characterizations, purely generic.
“This is where Hicks separates himself, creating his own little show-within-a-show, lifting us out of the manufactured quality of the production to enjoy a few moments of an over-the-top oddness that's decidedly individual. Yes, he delivers on pre-ordained expectations -- he even plays the harmonica and dances …like he's a father at a party trying to embarrass his kids.
“But, to his credit and to the audience's enjoyment, nobody else could be this Teen Angel, and there's no point in even trying to compare him to Frankie Avalon.”
Weekend media included a Sunday morning interview on WGN Radio with Dean Richards who earlier in the week gave Grease and Taylor’s performance an “A” and raved about the production. He and Taylor chatted about Grease, Taylor’s new music, his admiration for Buddy Guy, a childhood memory of Bozo the Clown from WGN, and Taylor’s quest to find the ultimate cheeseburger. Taylor even expressed his appreciation for the Chicago snowfall, a novelty for the Alabama native.
Come blizzard or heat wave, Grease continues its Chicago stay through Sunday, January 18.
As Chicago embraces the soulful, “campy” Teen Angel, Taylor is giving back the love…he is doing a video shoot while in Chicago for his new single, “What’s Right is Right,” which impacts radio play and is released to iTunes January 20. The album, “The Distance” is out March 10. He takes his modern whomp soul music to the Lincoln Park club, Martyr’s, for a late show on January 17 where it is reported that he will “try out new music.”
As Taylor has said, “either you entertain people, or you go home.” At this rate, Taylor won’t be going home any time soon!
After Dean Richards reiterated some of Taylor’s current projects, Taylor ended the interview with what struck me as a profound and prophetic comment: “I’m around.” Well said.
Goodbye, Alabama…
Chicago loves Grease and Taylor Hicks!
Chicago has loved this show for years. It’s loving it again—the music, the young cast (Danny and Sandy leads, Eric Schneider and Emily Padgett, are from Illinois), and Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel. The original tale of life at Taft High was told by Jim Jacobs in the musical that opened at Chicago’s Kingston Mines Theater in 1971. It hasn’t been the same since, evolving to a hit movie starring John Travolta and Oliver Newton-John, the original Broadway show, and the recent 2007 Broadway revival production.
Grease is still Chicago’s baby. Jacobs sat in the audience on opening night and spoke to the media about his original memoir of life in the 50s at Taft High as edgy and racy. “There would be a sign in the window, ‘If this were a movie, it would be R rated.’” There was even an appeal in the press last week for the return of the original, more realistic Grease.
While the show and cast have been well received in the Windy City, the star billing was undeniably for Taylor Hicks. He was everywhere—appearing on early morning news shows, talking with media, and looking for the ultimate cheeseburger.
Take a look at some of the press, as modern whomp meets Northern soul and produces pure entertainment.
From Andy Argyrakis at hearsay.cc:
“Of course before anyone could dig too deep into the storyline, all eyes locked on Hicks, who descended from the ceiling as Teen Angel (aptly following in the footsteps of Frankie Avalon and even Chubby Checker) for a short but sweet rendition of “Beauty School Dropout.” The 2006 “American Idol” winner added some soulful flourishes to the number thanks to a short harmonica solo at the end and had no problem hamming it up with his campy flair burning brightly, despite no prior acting experience.
“After all the actors bowed, fans were treated to a concert-like encore featuring a medley of the show’s greatest hits led by Hicks. He broke out the harmonica yet again for the title track, while reprisals of “Born To Hand-Jive” and “You’re the One That I Want” had so much pep they matched the dynamism of Less Than Jake’s unconventional covers collection chronicling the same soundtrack.”
From Steven Oxman at “Variety”…
“While ‘Grease,’ the touring version of the recently closed Broadway revival, lacks the inspiration and emotional sincerity needed to be more than merely peppy and puerile, it does come alive from a sheer kitsch perspective when Taylor Hicks of "American Idol" fame emerges from a giant ice cream cone to sing "Beauty School Dropout." In fact, the biggest laugh of the evening comes when the flirtatious Frenchy twirls Mr. Hicks' exposed chest hair and purrs, ‘I voooted for you.’
“The line, delivered deliciously by standout Kate Morgan Chadwick, has layers of significance beyond a single moment of self-conscious humor, since this "Grease," directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall, was originally birthed on the NBC reality show "Grease: You're the One That I Want," in which the television audience selected the previously unknown Max Crumm and Laura Osnes to become Rialto headliners in the revival.
“The ensemble boasts plenty of chops, particularly an ability to capture the melodic elements of the songs. And they do their best to amp up the comedy. But, the little love stories that drive the plot have no dramatic force whatsoever. All the scenes have the same energy, the emotions are all plastic, and the characterizations, purely generic.
“This is where Hicks separates himself, creating his own little show-within-a-show, lifting us out of the manufactured quality of the production to enjoy a few moments of an over-the-top oddness that's decidedly individual. Yes, he delivers on pre-ordained expectations -- he even plays the harmonica and dances …like he's a father at a party trying to embarrass his kids.
“But, to his credit and to the audience's enjoyment, nobody else could be this Teen Angel, and there's no point in even trying to compare him to Frankie Avalon.”
Weekend media included a Sunday morning interview on WGN Radio with Dean Richards who earlier in the week gave Grease and Taylor’s performance an “A” and raved about the production. He and Taylor chatted about Grease, Taylor’s new music, his admiration for Buddy Guy, a childhood memory of Bozo the Clown from WGN, and Taylor’s quest to find the ultimate cheeseburger. Taylor even expressed his appreciation for the Chicago snowfall, a novelty for the Alabama native.
Come blizzard or heat wave, Grease continues its Chicago stay through Sunday, January 18.
As Chicago embraces the soulful, “campy” Teen Angel, Taylor is giving back the love…he is doing a video shoot while in Chicago for his new single, “What’s Right is Right,” which impacts radio play and is released to iTunes January 20. The album, “The Distance” is out March 10. He takes his modern whomp soul music to the Lincoln Park club, Martyr’s, for a late show on January 17 where it is reported that he will “try out new music.”
As Taylor has said, “either you entertain people, or you go home.” At this rate, Taylor won’t be going home any time soon!
After Dean Richards reiterated some of Taylor’s current projects, Taylor ended the interview with what struck me as a profound and prophetic comment: “I’m around.” Well said.
Goodbye, Alabama…
(sources: hearsay.cc, variety.com, leisureblog.chicagotribune.com,nwitimes.com, WGN Radio)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Taylor Hicks Hits Chicago!
This week, in addition to appearing at the Auditorium Theatre in "Grease," Taylor Hicks has spent his mornings at the Chicago local TV Stations. He has performed an acoustic version of two of his original songs and given interviews, making excellent use of the exposure to promote both "Grease" and his Early Works CD. He is also nicely paving the way for his new album release, The Distance, due out on March 10th.
As I watched and listened to the Chicago TV station performances, I was awestruck once more for several reasons. First and foremost, I adore Taylor Hicks in any acoustic performance. His tour bands give his shows tons of pizzaz, but there is something magical about an artist sitting on a chair and playing his guitar softly, while he sings his original music.
This magic comes through loud and clear as Taylor Hicks graces the stages of WGN and CBS Chicago yesterday morning and this morning. His voice is pure and smooth and his passion for his own music is evident. As I listen, I am reminded once more of the depth of these songs, his age when he wrote them, and how they still are loved and listened to eagerly today. What is it about Taylor Hicks that grabs you by the heart and soul, and just won't let go? For me, it's the genuine man behind the music and the peformer singing that is the REAL DEAL. When Taylor sings his songs, you know he is proud of them and into them, and it just picks you up and carries you along in that smooth southern breeze which his voice encompasses.
If you have not had a chance to listen to or watch these performances, you can view them at the WGN and CBS Chicago websites. Here are the links:
WGN: Scroll to the right side bar under Live Performances
http://www.wgntv.com/morning_news
CBS: just type in Taylor Hicks for the search
http://cbs2chicago.com/video
Treat yourself to these and let the pure pleasure of a major artist offering his gifts surround you. It's quite an experience!
As I watched and listened to the Chicago TV station performances, I was awestruck once more for several reasons. First and foremost, I adore Taylor Hicks in any acoustic performance. His tour bands give his shows tons of pizzaz, but there is something magical about an artist sitting on a chair and playing his guitar softly, while he sings his original music.
This magic comes through loud and clear as Taylor Hicks graces the stages of WGN and CBS Chicago yesterday morning and this morning. His voice is pure and smooth and his passion for his own music is evident. As I listen, I am reminded once more of the depth of these songs, his age when he wrote them, and how they still are loved and listened to eagerly today. What is it about Taylor Hicks that grabs you by the heart and soul, and just won't let go? For me, it's the genuine man behind the music and the peformer singing that is the REAL DEAL. When Taylor sings his songs, you know he is proud of them and into them, and it just picks you up and carries you along in that smooth southern breeze which his voice encompasses.
If you have not had a chance to listen to or watch these performances, you can view them at the WGN and CBS Chicago websites. Here are the links:
WGN: Scroll to the right side bar under Live Performances
http://www.wgntv.com/morning_news
CBS: just type in Taylor Hicks for the search
http://cbs2chicago.com/video
Treat yourself to these and let the pure pleasure of a major artist offering his gifts surround you. It's quite an experience!
Saturday, December 13, 2008
TAYLOR HICKS FLIES HIGH IN MICHIGAN!
Thursday night, I had the good fortune to see Taylor Hicks and "Grease" in East Lansing. What a fabulous evening! The theatre is gorgeous and the right size so that every seat is good. I had a seat right up front, so I got an excellent view of everything. And when that Teen Angel flies down, he sweeps the audience along in complete delight!
Taylor Hicks set that stage ablaze! I have seen the play on Broadway and he was awesome there. I wondered how the traveling cast and set would compare. The set was a bit less glitzy, but very well done. The new cast is superb, especially Frenchie and of course, Rizzo who remains my favorite "bad girl with a heart" character of all time.
To say Taylor Hicks stole the show is an understatement. The audience was appreciative and responsive to the entire play, but in a somewhat refined manner. When that ice cream cone opened, all bets were off! They LOVED him and rightfully so. Taylor has this role polished to perfection, yet he never loses that genuine audience connection and charm. And when Frenchie turned to him and said "I Voted For You," it brought the house down!
Taylor Hicks new music was not yet introduced, so those lucky theatre goers after the New year will be treated to that extra treasure. If you have not seen "Grease" with Taylor Hicks yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR????????
My full recap and other photos can be found on The Taylor Hicks Community on our message board and media board. Enjoy!
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Taylor Hicks announces "The Distance"~~
The new sounds of blue-eyed soul…
“The Distance” is the new soul sound of Taylor Hicks, who says he is taking vibes from classic soul artists like Van Morrison and James Taylor.
Taylor recently announced the album title “The Distance” which is being released on the artist’s own recording label, Modern Whomp Records, in collaboration with independent music distributor, Artist To Market. “The Distance” is a record that Taylor has had complete control over—the music, recording and marketing. The title of the single has not been released yet, but often it is the title track from the record. But with Taylor, we know that nothing is ever “business as usual”, so we will just have to wait to see what he has chosen for the single.
And the backup’s not bad either! Taylor hired an A-list of musicians to record this album. Among them are Nathan East, Eric Clapton’s bass man, Doyle Bramhall a Grammy-nominated blues songwriter and musician from Texas and Abe Laborial, Paul McCartney’s drummer. His musical collaborations include renowned Nashville songwriter Gary Nicholson and friends Wynne Christian and Alan Little.
Taylor knows distance, traveling with his band throughout the South as an unknown blue-eyed soul singer. And he has gone the long distance from Birmingham to Broadway with a few hundred cities in between. From the Hollywood stage where he won American Idol in 2006 to his first Modern Whomp Solo Tour in 2007, distance has been a constant companion for Taylor, much of it traveled comfortably for the last couple of years on his own luxury tour bus. He is traveling again with the National Tour of Grease starring as Teen Angel now through May, 2009.
For someone who loves making music on the road, distance is a way of life. Lots of us have traveled the last year with him. I am looking forward to seeing where those distances have taken Taylor Hicks musically. I think this will be a fascinating contrast and comparison of what “the distance” from there to here has done to the heart and soul—the music—of Taylor Hicks.
This promises to be the best of Taylor Hicks. He recently told Blogcritic Sherry Lippman, “I can honestly tell you that it is a great record. I'm really excited about it.” Taylor is truly proud of this work. He has said, “The best is yet to come.”
“The Distance” will be worth the wait!
Source credit for quote: Blogcritic Sherry Lippman
“The Distance” is the new soul sound of Taylor Hicks, who says he is taking vibes from classic soul artists like Van Morrison and James Taylor.
Taylor recently announced the album title “The Distance” which is being released on the artist’s own recording label, Modern Whomp Records, in collaboration with independent music distributor, Artist To Market. “The Distance” is a record that Taylor has had complete control over—the music, recording and marketing. The title of the single has not been released yet, but often it is the title track from the record. But with Taylor, we know that nothing is ever “business as usual”, so we will just have to wait to see what he has chosen for the single.
And the backup’s not bad either! Taylor hired an A-list of musicians to record this album. Among them are Nathan East, Eric Clapton’s bass man, Doyle Bramhall a Grammy-nominated blues songwriter and musician from Texas and Abe Laborial, Paul McCartney’s drummer. His musical collaborations include renowned Nashville songwriter Gary Nicholson and friends Wynne Christian and Alan Little.
Taylor knows distance, traveling with his band throughout the South as an unknown blue-eyed soul singer. And he has gone the long distance from Birmingham to Broadway with a few hundred cities in between. From the Hollywood stage where he won American Idol in 2006 to his first Modern Whomp Solo Tour in 2007, distance has been a constant companion for Taylor, much of it traveled comfortably for the last couple of years on his own luxury tour bus. He is traveling again with the National Tour of Grease starring as Teen Angel now through May, 2009.
For someone who loves making music on the road, distance is a way of life. Lots of us have traveled the last year with him. I am looking forward to seeing where those distances have taken Taylor Hicks musically. I think this will be a fascinating contrast and comparison of what “the distance” from there to here has done to the heart and soul—the music—of Taylor Hicks.
This promises to be the best of Taylor Hicks. He recently told Blogcritic Sherry Lippman, “I can honestly tell you that it is a great record. I'm really excited about it.” Taylor is truly proud of this work. He has said, “The best is yet to come.”
“The Distance” will be worth the wait!
Source credit for quote: Blogcritic Sherry Lippman
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Taylor Hicks and Teen Angel Are Winging It Across America!
If you haven't been hibernating under the nearest rock, you know that Taylor Hicks is making big news flying into cities all over the USA with the national tour of "Grease." Recreating his starring role as Teen Angel, Taylor opened to smash reviews in Providence, R.I. on December 2. The audience went wild for him and when he added his harmonica talent at the end of the show, even the cast loved it! The media and fan reviews are in, and the TV interviews are plentiful. IT'S A HIT!
What impresses me is the versatility Taylor Hicks shows as a performer. His onstage presence elicits fantastic appreciation at his solo tours, because of the genuine and high energy music he offers. He has not trained for acting or made that an early goal, yet he stepped into "Grease" and his sequined suit as easily as one steps into a comfortable pair of slippers, and literally *elevated* himself to a new level, ice cream cone and all. And he did it with typical Taylor Hicks moxie and style, descending to the Broadway stage via the cone, and now "winging" his way into the hearts of present and new fans in cities everywhere in our nation.
What is the draw Taylor Hicks has? He is just so darn HAPPY up there! You can see in every performance, be it on the concert stage or the theatre stage, that this is one excited guy! And this oozes out to the audience in buckets, and keeps them returning night after night watching the play, hanging out at stage doors to catch a glimpse or get a smile and autograph. And they are not disappointed, because Taylor Hicks knows the value of his fans. He gives them all of himself, onstage and off. Fans are faint with anticipation, waiting to hear the new song which will be added to the end of the "Grease" performance and chomping at the bit to get his new CD, due out February 10th. And they are lining up for the shadow tour planned in each venue city, starting at the new year.
"Grease" may be folding on Broadway, but it is ALIVE AND WELL in theatres everywhere across America, and the success is due in large part to its Teen Angel, whose wings draw in and enfold every fan in the house.
GOT GREASE? IF NOT, GET IT! YOU WILL LOVE IT!
What impresses me is the versatility Taylor Hicks shows as a performer. His onstage presence elicits fantastic appreciation at his solo tours, because of the genuine and high energy music he offers. He has not trained for acting or made that an early goal, yet he stepped into "Grease" and his sequined suit as easily as one steps into a comfortable pair of slippers, and literally *elevated* himself to a new level, ice cream cone and all. And he did it with typical Taylor Hicks moxie and style, descending to the Broadway stage via the cone, and now "winging" his way into the hearts of present and new fans in cities everywhere in our nation.
What is the draw Taylor Hicks has? He is just so darn HAPPY up there! You can see in every performance, be it on the concert stage or the theatre stage, that this is one excited guy! And this oozes out to the audience in buckets, and keeps them returning night after night watching the play, hanging out at stage doors to catch a glimpse or get a smile and autograph. And they are not disappointed, because Taylor Hicks knows the value of his fans. He gives them all of himself, onstage and off. Fans are faint with anticipation, waiting to hear the new song which will be added to the end of the "Grease" performance and chomping at the bit to get his new CD, due out February 10th. And they are lining up for the shadow tour planned in each venue city, starting at the new year.
"Grease" may be folding on Broadway, but it is ALIVE AND WELL in theatres everywhere across America, and the success is due in large part to its Teen Angel, whose wings draw in and enfold every fan in the house.
GOT GREASE? IF NOT, GET IT! YOU WILL LOVE IT!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Hairspray with soul...
Or…Taylor Hicks is back in the ice cream cone!
We knew we were in for a fun ride when we were introduced to hairspray with soul...
One of the first things that Taylor Hicks did when he went to Hollywood for the American Idol competition in 2005 was to ask a friend where he could get a haircut. After all, AI was all about hip and cool, gel and such. That first Hollywood haircut would begin an ongoing debate among fans… should Taylor gel or not. Personally, I liked the gel—so Hollywood cool!
We hadn’t seen anything yet. This blue-eyed soul singer from Alabama, who could often be found eating a barbecue sandwich at Dreamland in Birmingham, was about to be transformed into the 1950s Pat Boone-type Teen Angel in Broadway’s Grease! Pat Boone and Taylor Hicks? I’m not seeing it. But there was a much bigger teenage heartthrob in the 1950s. I should know. There was none to compare with Elvis! How many times had we Taylor fans said that Taylor looked like Elvis…the pout…okay, I won’t get sidetracked. The Elvis vibe could work!
Enter the hairspray and the Elvis pompadour and here was the channel for Elvis with soul. Fans checked the dressing room photos carefully. A friend told me she finally had something in common with Taylor…they used the same brand of hairspray.
Broadway’s Teen Angel was wearing white. What devoted Elvis fan could forget the white silver-studded jumpsuit worn by Elvis in Hawaii with a bright red neck scarf. But I’m sidetracked again. Even Taylor said…maybe not the white. He makes everything his own…taylorized. Make it midnight blue and stud it all over with rhinestones and New York’s got a new Teen Angel! And theatre goers packed in every night and had as much fun as could be found anywhere in the summer of 2008!
But this Teen Angel was not just stage eye candy. From the floating ice cream cone came an enticingly smooth, Broadway-rich (not exactly the “Medicated Goo”) voice that would melt the heart of any Beauty School Dropout. And what was already a fun show was about to go off the fun meter. Taylor had worked the crowd before in clubs and bars throughout the South. He had met tougher crowds than the beautiful people on Broadway. Well, who knew the antics that lurked in this soulful Southern singer? Elvis never had so much fun!
The summer ended but the fun didn’t. Taylor Hicks is still Broadway’s harmonica wielding Teen Angel with wings of rhinestones. And he’s packing the hairspray and hitting the road… Hairspray with Soul…has that Broadway ring to it, doesn’t it? There’s a twist. Taylor hands off the hairspray and plays himself at the end—the soul part! He sings the single release from his new album due out in February, 2009! You didn’t really think hairspray would trump soul!
Hairspray with Soul, or as its Broadway producers prefer, The National Tour of Grease is on the road. The show debuts today in Providence, RI!
Don’t miss all the fun! Pack the hairspray and savor the soul!
Grease on Tour:
December 2-7~~Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, RI
December 9-14~~Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, East Lansing, MI
December 16-21~~Palace Theatre, Columbus OH
December 30-January 4, 2009~~Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis MN
January 6-18 Auditorium Theatre~~Chicago IL
January 20-February 1~~Aronoff Center for the Arts, Cincinnati OH
February 3-15~~Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore MD
February 24-March 1~~ Music Hall, Tucson AZ
March 3-8~~Civic Theatre, San Diego CA
March 10-22~~Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles CA
March 24-April 19~~Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco CA
April 21-26~~Keller Auditorium, Portland OR
April 28-May 10~~Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa CA
May 12-30~~5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA
Tickets for most venues are on sale now at:
http://www.taylorhicks.com/
We knew we were in for a fun ride when we were introduced to hairspray with soul...
One of the first things that Taylor Hicks did when he went to Hollywood for the American Idol competition in 2005 was to ask a friend where he could get a haircut. After all, AI was all about hip and cool, gel and such. That first Hollywood haircut would begin an ongoing debate among fans… should Taylor gel or not. Personally, I liked the gel—so Hollywood cool!
We hadn’t seen anything yet. This blue-eyed soul singer from Alabama, who could often be found eating a barbecue sandwich at Dreamland in Birmingham, was about to be transformed into the 1950s Pat Boone-type Teen Angel in Broadway’s Grease! Pat Boone and Taylor Hicks? I’m not seeing it. But there was a much bigger teenage heartthrob in the 1950s. I should know. There was none to compare with Elvis! How many times had we Taylor fans said that Taylor looked like Elvis…the pout…okay, I won’t get sidetracked. The Elvis vibe could work!
Enter the hairspray and the Elvis pompadour and here was the channel for Elvis with soul. Fans checked the dressing room photos carefully. A friend told me she finally had something in common with Taylor…they used the same brand of hairspray.
Broadway’s Teen Angel was wearing white. What devoted Elvis fan could forget the white silver-studded jumpsuit worn by Elvis in Hawaii with a bright red neck scarf. But I’m sidetracked again. Even Taylor said…maybe not the white. He makes everything his own…taylorized. Make it midnight blue and stud it all over with rhinestones and New York’s got a new Teen Angel! And theatre goers packed in every night and had as much fun as could be found anywhere in the summer of 2008!
But this Teen Angel was not just stage eye candy. From the floating ice cream cone came an enticingly smooth, Broadway-rich (not exactly the “Medicated Goo”) voice that would melt the heart of any Beauty School Dropout. And what was already a fun show was about to go off the fun meter. Taylor had worked the crowd before in clubs and bars throughout the South. He had met tougher crowds than the beautiful people on Broadway. Well, who knew the antics that lurked in this soulful Southern singer? Elvis never had so much fun!
The summer ended but the fun didn’t. Taylor Hicks is still Broadway’s harmonica wielding Teen Angel with wings of rhinestones. And he’s packing the hairspray and hitting the road… Hairspray with Soul…has that Broadway ring to it, doesn’t it? There’s a twist. Taylor hands off the hairspray and plays himself at the end—the soul part! He sings the single release from his new album due out in February, 2009! You didn’t really think hairspray would trump soul!
Hairspray with Soul, or as its Broadway producers prefer, The National Tour of Grease is on the road. The show debuts today in Providence, RI!
Don’t miss all the fun! Pack the hairspray and savor the soul!
Grease on Tour:
December 2-7~~Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, RI
December 9-14~~Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, East Lansing, MI
December 16-21~~Palace Theatre, Columbus OH
December 30-January 4, 2009~~Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis MN
January 6-18 Auditorium Theatre~~Chicago IL
January 20-February 1~~Aronoff Center for the Arts, Cincinnati OH
February 3-15~~Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore MD
February 24-March 1~~ Music Hall, Tucson AZ
March 3-8~~Civic Theatre, San Diego CA
March 10-22~~Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles CA
March 24-April 19~~Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco CA
April 21-26~~Keller Auditorium, Portland OR
April 28-May 10~~Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa CA
May 12-30~~5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA
Tickets for most venues are on sale now at:
http://www.taylorhicks.com/
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