Bringing together a group of international scholars from diverse academic backgrounds, ‘Grease Is the Word’ analyses the cultural phenomenon Grease. With essays covering everything from the film’s production history, political representations and industrial impact to its stars and reception, the book shines a spotlight on one of Broadway’s and Hollywood’s biggest commercial successes. By adopting a range of perspectives and drawing on various visual, textual and archival sources, the contributors maintain a vibrant dialogue throughout, offering a timely reappraisal of a musical that continues to resonate with fans and commentators the world over.
Bringing together a group of international scholars from diverse academic backgrounds, ‘Grease Is the Word’ analyses the cultural phenomenon Grease. With essays covering everything from the film’s production history, political representations and industrial impact to its stars and reception, the book shines a spotlight on one of Broadway’s and Hollywood’s biggest commercial successes. By adopting a range of perspectives and drawing on various visual, textual and archival sources, the contributors maintain a vibrant dialogue throughout, offering a timely reappraisal of a musical that continues to resonate with fans and commentators the world over.
"Grease, Tell Me More, Tell Me More is a fabulous rockin' and rollin' origin story with every juicy inspiration that went into creating it. . . . A must read for all Grease fans." —Didi Conn, Grease's "Frenchy" What started as an amateur play with music in a converted trolly barn in Chicago hit Broadway fifty years ago—and maintains its cultural impact today. Grease opened downtown in the Eden Theatre February 14, 1972, short of money, short of audience, short of critical raves, and seemingly destined for a short run. But like the little engine that could, this musical of high school kids from the 1950s moved uptown. On December 8, 1979, it became the longest running show—play or musical—in Broadway history. Grease: Tell Me More, Tell Me More is a collection of memories and stories from over one hundred actors and musicians, including the creative team and crew who were part of the original Broadway production and in the many touring companies it spawned. Here are stories—some touching, some hilariously funny—from names you may recognize: Barry Bostwick, John Travolta, Adrienne Barbeau, Treat Williams, Marilu Henner, Peter Gallagher, and others you may not: Danny Jacobson, creator of Mad About You; Tony-winning Broadway directors Walter Bobbie and Jerry Zaks; bestselling authors Laurie Graff and John Lansing; television stars Ilene Kristen, Ilene Graff, and Lisa Raggio, and many, many more. Read about the struggles, the battles, and the ultimate triumphs achieved in shaping the story, characters, and music into the iconic show now universally recognized the world over.
(Limelight). In the summer of 1978, Grease was the word. On Friday, June 16, 1978, the movie musical made a major comeback when a big-screen version of the long-running rock-and-roll stage musical, Grease , opened in theaters around the country. With a talented cast led by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John and a memorable score featuring a mixture of oldies-style rock and contemporary pop, Grease captured the look and the feel of an old-fashioned Hollywood musical while taking audiences on a nostalgic trip back to the days of poodle skirts, malt shops, drag racing, and sock hops. Stephen Tropiano takes a fascinating and revealing look at Grease as a cultural phenomenon from its humble beginnings as a fringe musical in Chicago, to its unparalleled success on Broadway, to the making of the film that became the highest-grossing movie musical of all time. You will get an in-depth, close-up look at the making of this Hollywood classic and the creative talent in front and behind the camera that made it all happen. Thirty-plus years after its release, Grease is still the word!
From "Jacob to Israel": Would the least esteemed in the church reflect the Saviour's voice and become Christ as Begotten? (1 Corinthians 6:3-4, John 10:16). Such is the predestination of "Jacob", today: the "day of vengeance" and a time of "Jacob's trouble" (Jer 30:6-7, Isa 29:22-24). As long as Jacob lifts-up Jesus, eventually all will hear His voice (John 12:32). "A Constellation of Findings"! Just before midnight on 7/11/1999, I had a vision after closing a refrigerator door. Doing a 180°, a pearlescent, multitiered fountain flowed with sparking water! Right in the middle of the kitchen! Four-pointed stars popped into view, becoming larger and larger as if coming at me. Truly, hard to describe. My wife didn't believe me. What I realize today is that the enemy confused my mind after being given this beautiful vision. It was part of God's plan that I end up in a Mental Hospital, ultimately divorcing my first wife of ten years and estranged from both daughters since the ages of 5 and 8. "Crushing" can't describe it. A year later, Dr. Amen (no kidding) in Fairfield, Ca wrote in the test results from an MRI that there was a "constellation of findings". His exact words! Praise the Lord! Called and forsaken a small moment and Jacob, as judge should forgive. Lifting Jesus, a Saviour, ransoming many they live. Worn-out in the wilderness heat, still cool-words spoken. Where Satan's able to dine with the idle, tokens. Predestined, the kingdom of heaven is within you. Day of vengeance: it suffereth violence, too. Looking through a glass darkly with his tongue the devil's prey. In a "strong delusion", finishing transgression, Jacob has his say. The "11th hour" worker as 2 become 1. While the church borne the burden and heat of the sun. God's precious "least of these" witnessing two spirits. Jacob, the "two witnesses" would fail or revere it. Jesus comes at last; our blessed hope. Alas! Jacob defines God as he gropes. Light should shine out of darkness. Holy spirit lead should you hearken. With a heart for all taken by the "angel of light". He went from blind to wise, now able to write. Gathering more than he left behind like Abraham. Jacob praises like a lion and loves like the lamb.
Cooking with Grease is a powerful, behind-the-scenes memoir of the life and times of a tenacious political organizer and the first African-American woman to head a major presidential campaign. Donna Brazile fought her first political fight at age nine -- campaigning (successfully) for a city council candidate who promised a playground in her neighborhood. The day after Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, she committed her heart and her future to political and social activism. By the 2000 presidential election, Brazile had become a major player in American political history -- and she remains one of the most outspoken and forceful political activists of our day. Donna grew up one of nine children in a working-poor family in New Orleans, a place where talking politics comes as naturally as stirring a pot of seafood gumbo -- and where the two often go hand in hand. Growing up, Donna learned how to cook from watching her mother, Jean, stir the pots in their family kitchen. She inherited her love of reading and politics from her grandmother Frances. Her brothers Teddy Man and Chet worked as foot soldiers in her early business schemes and voter registration efforts. Cooking with Grease follows Donna's rise to greater and greater political and personal accomplishments: lobbying for student financial aide, organizing demonstrations to make Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a national holiday and working on the Jesse Jackson, Dick Gephardt, Michael Dukakis and Bill Clinton presidential campaigns. But each new career success came with its own kind of heartache, especially in her greatest challenge: leading Al Gore's 2000 campaign, making her the first African American to lead a major presidential campaign. Cooking with Grease is an intimate account of Donna's thirty years in politics. Her stories of the leaders and activists who have helped shape America's future are both inspiring and memorable. Donna's witty style and innovative political strategies have garnered her the respect and admiration of colleagues and adversaries alike -- she is as comfortable trading quips with J. C. Watts as she is with her Democratic colleagues. Her story is as warm and nourishing as a bowl of Brazile family gumbo.
Charles Fox has composed more than 100 motion picture and television scores, among them the themes of many iconic series, including Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Love, American Style, and Love Boat. In this memoir, Fox recounts his development as a musician, describing the cornerstone events of his musical and personal life. He reflects on the highlights of his career, working with some of the greatest names in entertainment, film, television, and records, including Jim Croce, Barry Manilow, Lena Horne, and Fred Astaire.
