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Remembering “Grease"

 In high school, I played in a pit band for "Grease," and the high-strung gay man at the podium would often roll his eyes.


"Every day at school I watch ya / Always will until I gotcha....My God, this writer was a real Sondheim....."

Well, no. But "Grease" is more than just fun. Sometimes, it's really smart. Sandy recalls, "It got colder....That's when [love] ends...." Cut to Danny, with his own clan: "And I told her....we'd still be friends...." And who can forget Billy Porter, giving tough advice to his protege? "Beauty School Dropout....You think you're such a looker. But no customer would go to you...unless she was a hooker...." (And I know you're not a hooker...Sit up.....)

My favorite moment in "Grease" is "Those Magic Changes," which makes clear that adolescent heartache is narrative gold. Without teen angst, we wouldn't have "Pride and Prejudice" or "Romeo and Juliet" or "Friday Night Lights." Chord changes match changes in "relationship status": "Been so lonesome since our last goodbye....but I'm singing as I cry-y-y-y....." "The beatings of my broken heart will climb to first place.....on the chart!" The silliness reaches new heights in a sharp, unforgettable bridge:

C-C-C how much I love you.....
A-A-A....a million ways.....
F-F-effffffortlessly love you....
G-G-Geeeee....I'm in a haze......

You can't beat that. Renee Elise Goldsberry knows exactly what she is doing (below):

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