Customer Reviews

Grease - The New Broadway Cast Recording (2007 Broadway Revival Cast)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Grease" doesn't have much depth to it, true, but the latest revival of the now-classic show feels empty and dry, lacking anything truly original, offering up nothing new. On stage, I found it to be rather paint-by-numbers. It's as if the cast, especially reality-show stars Laura Osnes and Max Crumm, are told and expected to hit their marks and that's it. Forget characterization or chemistry. The ensemble performs the show dutifully, with refrigerated smiles and sharp dance moves . . . yet despite the polished on-the-mark performances, it still feels like the pep and vim of the show has been zapped out of it.

Sadly, it's apparent in this new cast recording. Chris Jahnke's orchestrations play it safe, with perhaps a few exceptions. 'Those Magic Changes' nicely homages that 60's beach party ballad reminiscent of the Beach Boys or Jan & Dean, complete with bongos and vocal oohs. 'You're the One That I Want' is probably the only track that has the necessary energy with its new rockabilly arrangement, but it comes at the end of the show--coming alive a little too late. 'Summer Nights' is oddly boring and could have been recorded by any of the countless regional/amateur theatre groups who have put "Grease" on. Even the show's signature ballad 'There Are Worse Things I Can Do' is unimaginatively rendered by Jenny Powers' Rizzo.

If you're an avid fan of "Grease" then this is obviously for you. Yet it's one recording you'll hardly go back to for repeat visits. And why should you? The original 1972 Broadway cast recording is definitely a treasure. The 1978 film version stands on its own merits and the 1994 Broadway revival is probably the most definitive with its daring arrangements and tenacity. (Okay, we won't put the 1993 London revival in the same league, with its synthesized orchestrations and lazy performances). This new revival is solid, I'll give it that. But it's nothing to write home about.

I have been a Max Crumm fan ever since I first heard him sing "Summer of 69". He has indeed "just started". He is going to do it all. America knows talent when they see it and they got this one right. Max and Laura are excellent on this CD. Max's rendition of "Sandy" is the best of anyone who has ever done it. Laura's "Hopelessly Devoted" is done flawlessly. They stand out every time they perform. The rest of the cast are also quite talented. Daniel Everidge's "Mooning" is perfection and Lindsay Mendez's voice accompanies him beautifully. Jenny Powers makes every word count in "There are Worse Things I Could Do". I know in the screenplay Kenicke rather than Danny sings Grease Lightning and my only criticism of this CD is I think Max would have done a better job-course I could be prejudiced. All the cast is very talented and this CD has so much energy and bounce; it is a real feel good musical experience. Sometimes our generation asks what the world is coming too but if these talented hardworking young people are any example of today's generation, we have nothing to worry about. If you need an upper, feel like dancing or just want to sing along (they even include the lyrics), this CD is a must. A great treat for yourself, friends or family.

I wanted to like this soundtrack. I'd watched the reality show that cast the leads and liked the idea that it had. However, this soundtrack isn't anywhere near as good as it could be. Some of the other reviews characterize the soundtrack as lacking energy or lethargic and they are dead on. The thing is, in Grease, you really need that energy to carry you through the show. There are some good, albeit safe, arrangements and the performances are vocally decent. But this soundtrack misses on a lot more than it hits. 2/5

Aside from having cheap, carnival-flavored orchestrations, this latest revival lacks both identity and character. Max Crumm makes an affable Danny, but Laura Osnes offers him nothing to work with except a shrill soprano. The bass line in "Greased Lightning" is imprssive; "Freddy, My Love" is nice, but the fun stops there. The ensemble sounds like the most bored group of teenagers in history. "American Idol" did not exist in the 1950s, so it is puzzling why everyone is holding onto their notes as if their lives depended on it, especially in bleak "Those Magic Changes" and the horrible "Mooning." Nothing on this soundtrack remotely resembles the sound of the decade, and it is a shame because Kathleen Marshall is better than this. But, good them because at $75 for the cheap seats, much money will be made on this unfortunate revival.

If you're a Grease fan, get this... you'll love the basic recreation of the movie without Olivia or John... if you are a fan of musicals, save your money and just get the original with Barry Bostwick. The sound quality back then isnt as crisp as today, but they really got what the show is about and it is far superior to any version (even the movie) - or, if all else get the God awful Rosie O'Donnell one, at least that one was somewhat intereting. This is a just boring... One big standout is Beauty School Dropout, possibly the best version of all of them

I did not watch the reality show to cast the leads and after listening to this album I really don't feel that I missed much.
For a fan of GREASE there are things I can really dig about this, but ultimately I am happy that I won this CD and did not have to pay for this. Danny's voice is not as strong as I would have wanted it to be. In fact, I really felt that his singing is more soft than I would have expected. Then the Sandy is not as innocent sounding as I would like her to be at the beginning. They are good at finding the pitches, but he characters do not seem to come through in their voices. I also have qualms with the Rizzo. Her voice is deeper and happier than expected. However, she is much better than Rosie in the role.
Adding music from the film seemed like a good idea as well, but the only piece that seems to fit is "Sandy." The theme is awkward at best. I would have preferred the "Teen Angel" to sing the songs as a way to open the versus the Company, especially since the lines didn't seem to match some of the characters' personae. Also, with Sandy singing her part in "Raining on Prom Night" the song "Hopelessly Devoted to You" serves no purpose. It gives the same information. I know it's a fan favorite, but does GREASE really need to suffer from additional length?
In conclusion, to hear a change from the film cast is positive, as that is the cast most people know. However, unless you are a die hard fan of the show or who won the reality show, just stick to your current favorite recording of GREASE. This one really doesn't do much.

Max Crumm and Laura Osnes beat out thousands of other aspiring hopefuls to become the latest Danny and Sandy in the 2007 Broadway revival of "GREASE" in the audience vote in show "GREASE: YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT." I watched the show religiously. Now the resulting CD proves that America got it right! Crumm was a particularly dark-horse candidate; helpfully told to cut his long hair to a 1950's cut to increase his chances of winning. Crumm knows how to connect with his audience and get inside the songs he sings. He acts while he sings; bringing out a playfulness and vulnerability in Danny. Osnes was playing Sandy in community theatre when she decided to give Broadway a try. She is perfectly cast; giving an especially emotional rendering of "Hopelessly Devoted To You." America also deserves credit for choosing talented performers who are not carbon-copy duplicates of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the 1978 film version.
Crumm and Osnes headline a cast of virtual unknowns; including Ryan Patrick Binder, Lindsay Mendez, Jeb Brown, and Stephen Buntrock. Jenny Powers is particularly strong as Rizzo; a great singer who brings out the vulnerability in this supposedly "Bad Girl." Christopher Jahnke's orchestrations are very good, almost excellent; if a bit too fast at times. "Greased Lightening", which gets some sanitized lyrics here, seems particularly rushed. The cast, however, gives Barry Gibb's title song from the 1978 film version a strong and deep interpretation.
A reviewer for "Entertainment Weekly" magazine suggested there is nothing new at Rydell High School in director/choreographer Kathleen Marshall's 2007 Revival. But the cast has enough energy and vitality to carry you along. That energy/enthusiasm is evidenced in the video of the recording session on Amazon. The fun video on Amazon, by the way, convinced me to buy the CD. Of course, you may still wonder: Does the world need yet ANOTHER production/recording of "GREASE?" After all, the last Broadway revival was still very recent, in 1994, featuring Sam Harris, Susan Wood, and (ugh!) Rosie O'Donnell. It seems that every decade or so, there is a NEW production of GREASE. Is there a high school, college, or community theatre that HAS NOT done this show?! I saw it in Seattle, with Erik Estrada no less(!) and most recently, a 2005 touring company. I had a fun, wonderful time. No, the world does not need another production of "GREASE", but it's fun, and if you're a fan of this show; whether it be the 1972 Original Broadway Cast, 1978 film version, 1994 Revival, or one of the other countless productions, you'll still want to pick up this 2007 Recording. Each version has its own strengths and weaknesses. Crumm, Osnes, and the exuberant, youthful cast aim to entertain, and they succeed. As an added bonus, the complete lyrics are included inside the CD booklet.

This Recording is AMAZING!!! TOTALLY WORTH like at least $30. I LOVE THIS SOUNDTRACK, they have acutally made it more clean, and everything, so younger kids can listen to it, and not be drowned out by cuss words! GREAT SOUNDTRACK!!!

Oh boy, where do I begin. No question about it - each member of the cast can truly sing. They however do not even begin to compare to John Travolta and Olivia Newton John. I really could get past them not looking like JT and ONJ but that fact in conjunction with the difference in their voices is too much to take.

This CD was really not "The one that I want..."

I purchased this CD because my performance is using the 2007 version. I was really disappointed with many of the performances. The strongest song is definitely Grease, as it is a super rockin' rendition of the classic intro from the 1978 movie. Many characters voices are showcased, too.

Summer Nights is decent, but not as good as the original cast or the movie. Sandy does have a beautiful voice.

Those Magic Changes is still fun, but the singer just doesn't have the "oomph" this time. I did like the back-up singers.

Freddy My Love features Marty's amazing voices. She nails the teen absurdity of the song with a charming juvenile naivety: My ma's gonna kill me when she finds the pedal pushers with the black leathers patches. Oh, how I wish I had a jacket that matches. (Marty's also pleased with the ring " cost you fifty" b/c it means he's "thrifty" which is "nifty".)

Rydell Fight Song is what it is- a silly cheer sung by the overly excited Patty Simcox. It showcases her obnoxious enthusiasm for all things high school. It's very short, though.

Greased Lightning is very energetic. This time, they cleaned up the language, so anyone can enjoy it.

Mooning just doesn't have it. The guy is pretty solid, but Jan sounds goofy. Goofy can work, as Jan is the loud compulsive eater, but the spark is missing.

Look at Me I'm Sandra Dee is so dull. Rizzo attempts to sex it up with "oh, you bad boy". More like, oh what a bad performance. I miss the Pink LAdies doing back-up. If anything, Sandy could make fun of Rizzo for delivering such a poor performance.

We Go Together is a big disappointment. I believed the kids were happy to be together, but when they all solo different noises, it loses its happiness. They sound like they are soloing at gunpoint.
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Shaking at the High School Hop is a treasure for me, because I wasn't familiar with this song. It's a generic 50s song that's fun to dance to. The vocals are average for Boradway.

It's Raining on Prom Night is sung by Jan and Sandy. Jan has a great voice in this song. I was shocked that it's the same Jan who sang Mooning. IROPM still conveys the story of romantic disappointment, 50s style. (It's wilting the quilting on my tafetta dress. It's running all over my Maidenform.) Poor narrator is struck with the Asiatic flu! However, the monologue by Sandy just didn't show enough sorro and desperation for my liking.

Born to Hand Jive stays true to the original with the amount of energy put forth. BUT, Johnny Casino just doesn't sing all that well. Even something as simple as "How low can you go?" just doesn't sound like a naughty challenge anymore. The instrumentation is still jazzy!

Beauty School Dropout has always been my least fav Grease song. Teen Angel does a great version. The back-up vocals are adorable. I also like that we hear Frenchy's mini-monologue in the beginning. By the end, I was wow'ed by Teen Angel's high notes. If you like BSD, you'll enjoy this version.

Rock N Roll Party Queen is still so much fun. This is my fave song on this CD. It does not deny the original at all. You will be pleased.

There Are Worse Things I Can Do shows Rizzo's emotions and vocal strengths. As with Jan's second number, I was surprised that this was the same Rizzo. A big change- she sounds just like Stockard Channing, which is a good thing for Jenny Powers.

I'm Sandra Dee reprise is good. Sandy sounds like a wounded angel. I never paid much attention to this song before, but now I am. Sandy shows Rizzo how hurt she is by Rizzo's insults. Sadly, instead of asking Rizzo to accept her as she is, she decides to have Frenchy make her into someone else.

You're The One That I Want is high energy fun with watery vocals here and there. The back up singers save the song with their strong voices.

Finale of We Go Together is a bit better than the first time. Still, it doesn't pack the same punch at the original or 1978.

If you are a Grease lover, you'll want this new cast recording in your collection. If you are new to the broadway version, get the original recording. And, definitely pick up the polished movie soundtrack.