'Grease' Is Launching Talent Show

'Grease' is trying to make a comeback to Broadway and the search is on for talented singers to play the leading parts. NCB and BBC Worldwide Production have adopted the alternative the British went on with 'The Sound of Music' and launched a national talent contest, which will also be aired in mid-season as a reality show.

The original 'Grease', written by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, appeared in Chicago at The Kingston Mines Theater in 1971. In 1972, due to its great success, the musical made its transition to Broadway, where it played 3,388 performances before closing down.

But 'Grease' became 'the word' in 1978, when it moved to the big screen. The feature film starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton John as Danny and Sandy and it got many and varied awards and nominations.

'You're the One that We Want', the reality show whose aim is to find two brand new stars, able to rise up to all the expectations and to the previous performances, will be a tough contest, where every contender will have to prove his/her worth in front of a panel of very attentive judges. Jim Jacobs (co-creator of 'Grease') and David Ian (theater producer) are only two of the names announced to appear as judges on the show.

The Senior Vicepresident for NBC Entertainment had this to say when asked about the reason for opting for a 'Grease' revival on Broadway and for choosing a talent contest as casting method: 'The winning appeal of "Grease" and its timeless score and storyline extends across all generations and will make for a fantastic series. Americans have grown up with these catchy tunes and appealing characters and we think they'll love the chance to select the next dynamic duo to play Sandy and Danny'.

'Grease' has been scheduled to open on Broadway in June 2007.