Jim Jacobs, Warren Casey, Rosie O'Donnell, Sam Harris - Grease - The New Broadway Cast Recording (1994 Revival)

The 1978 film has become such a fixture in Grease lore that any subsequent recording of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey's '50s tuner needs clear disclaimers, this 1994 Broadway revival cast included. What it doesn't have: "Grease," "Hopelessly Devoted to You," "Sandy," "You're the One That I Want," and John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. What it does have: "Those Magic Changes" winningly delivered by former Star Search champion Sam Harris; "Alone at the Drive-in Movie" in vocal, not instrumental form; striking choral arrangements (including the a cappella opener); Broadway's most famous fan, Rosie O'Donnell, appearing as Rizzo; and an energetic and suitably young cast led by Ricky Paull Goldin (Danny) and Susan Wood (Sandy). All in all, it's an enjoyable conception of the show as realized by Tommy Tune. Note that when Brooke Shields replaced O'Donnell in 1995, a new recording was issued, exactly the same as this one except with new tracks by Shields replacing O'Donnell's. --David Horiuchi Amazon.com

This is NOT Grease.

This terrible, badly conceived revival was an insult to the very adventurous, very raw original production of Grease, a show that paints an incredibly accurate picture of a pivotal moment in American history when rock and roll was giving birth to the Sexual Revolution. You'd never know it from this revival, but Grease is not a silly, brainless 50s parody -- it's a smart, insightful, fairly alternative piece of theatre (inspired in many ways by HAIR), and this awful 90s revival missed everyting that's special about Grease, robbing it of its muscle, its attitude, its rawness, and its thrilling, subversive, over-sexed energy. If you want to hear what Grease SHOULD sound like, if you want to hear the real sound of early rock and roll, get the original 1972 recording. That's Grease. January 7, 2007

What was that?

I bought this CD the other day and listened to it once. I can tell you know that I'm auctioning it off on eBay now.

This CD is not what I expected it to be. I have the original 1970s cast album which is fantastic. This CD is just annoying. Rosie's vocals drive me crazy, thank goodness they released the Brook Shields version. The new orchestrations bother me, especially the "Shakin' At the High School Hop." Not to mention the "Alma Mater" and "Alma Mater Parody" have been totally erased from the show. "We Go Together" is NOT the "Alma Mater." "Greased Lightnin' Reprise" was obviously written for Rosie, and it's annoying. One thing that surprised me was Hunter Foster. I normally LOVE him, but his "Mooning" drives me crazy. One last thing: Whose idea was it to have Ms. Lynch and Eugene sing "Born To Hand Jive"?

One of the positive things is Susan Wood as Sandy. Her Sandy is definitely what saves this show. With the addition of "Since I Don't Have You" is awesome. Samuel French has the original for theatrical companies to do, but they've included this song. Aside from Wood, Megan Mullally is an AMAZING Marty. These two save the whole friggin' show. I also love the gospel "Beauty School Dropout." Amazing.

I wish they would have kept the show as it was. It's over the top and too fancy. I recommend buying the original cast album over this one. July 26, 2006

The New Broadway Recording of Grease

I find this music too commercialized. The real flavor of the original Grease is lost to the bubblegum sound of the songs. I've listened quite a few times and I just can't get into it. The sound just doesn't have the edge of the Original Grease. And Rosie O'Donnell needed more time in the vocal studio working on singing vowels and supporting her breath. Buy the original! July 2, 2006

Pretty Good

This was a great album, but I had a few problems with it.
Beauty School Dropout sounded to hip. What happened to the chourus like in the original version? The Alma Mater wasn't the Alma Mater it was just We Go Together. Born to Hand Jive was also nothing compared to the original. September 4, 2005

Just wow!

Wow after reading the bad reviews I was really suprized! I am producing a production of Grease and this recording was just what I was looking for! It's High energy is what makes it so fun! I especially like the reworking on Beauty School Dropout, and the Finale was amazing! My only problem was with Greased Lighnin' and Born to hand Jive, they wern't as fun as the were on the original cast album. Other then that I was smiling the whole time! May 30, 2005

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