Grease: You're The One That I Want, Finale - They're the Ones That We Want
Grease is the Final Word
So this is it. The big finale. The moment we've all been waiting for. Well, those of us who have stuck it out and listened to every Grease song at least three times. You would think this could be a short episode. "Hey, WhatsHisName, WhatsHerFace, you win! Yay!" Applause, applause, applause, we all go home. But of course, it's never that simple.
The show opens with all fourteen hopeful Dannys and Sandys performing "We Go Together." How cute. How fun. Haven't we heard this before? Where are the results??
"You've got Austin against Max," says David Ian, the producer of the soon-to-be Broadway musical. "That's Tom Cruise vs. Ben Stiller." Really? Tom Cruise? Hm. Maybe Austin does look a little crazy… "Fantastic professional performer against quirky comedian with bundles of heart." Jim Jacobs, the co-creator of Grease, describes the final ladies, "Ashley is more of Sandy at the end [of the play], Laura's more of Sandy through the rest of the show." Kathleen Marshall, the musical's choreographer, says it's a close call between the two ladies.
It's been a long trek to this finale, hasn't it? Thousands of hopefuls auditioned at this nationwide open casting call. Remember the older gentleman who showed up on stage in New York, hoping for a part as a teacher or coach? Or Matthew and Sarah, the lovebirds who broke up when the auditions didn't quite go the way they hoped? I wonder whatever became of them… Millions watched as thousands were rounded down to twelve finalists, and many were shocked when favorites like Kate, Juliana, and Derek fell out of the running. After thousands of auditions, dozens of Grease songs, multiple great and poor performances, it's all down to these four: Austin Miller, Max Crumm, Ashley Spencer, and Laura Osnes. The quartet arrives on stage to sing "You're the One that I Want," as if we haven't heard this song ENOUGH times by now.
As I watch them interact, I find myself pulling for Max and Laura even more than ever before. Max looks like he's been prettied up a bit for the part, so despite his "unconventional" look, there may be hope for him after all. Laura does very well playing sexy Sandy, and Austin's professional experience shines through. Ashley's no lack of talent either, and as Jim Jacobs says, "Any of you people would be wonderful."
Billy Bush sits down with the final four and asks the boys, "How's the pressure?" Austin very diplomatically says that there are great opportunities for both of them and that they have spent the past week just "being there for each other." Yeah. Right. "I already feel like this is winning… there's no 'lose'. There's 'win' and 'not win'," says Max. I hate to tell you Max, but 'not win' means 'lose.' Austin agrees and then lets out one of the fakest laughs I have ever seen on television. I wonder if they taught him that in the soap operas.
Billy then turns to the girls, "Has it been the most excruciating week of your life?" Seriously? THESE are the questions they come up with? Ashley ("Ballerina Sandy") is thankful for having God in her life and great friends to help her get through the stress. Laura Osnes talks about the test of patience the week has been. "We will learn of your fate soon," says Billy. Not with forty minutes of show left, we won't.
The eliminated Dannys and Sandys come together on stage to sing and dance to "Hand Jive." It's nice to see some of the old faces. I really do hope they find successes in life after this. I do think they all have talent, even if some need more fine-tuning than others. They may have not been quite right for the role of Danny or Sandy, but I definitely am certain they could find success elsewhere.
We can't have a finale without a review, right? Ashley looks back on her journey through Grease. She had spent almost all her money just to get to the Los Angeles auditions, only to have her song not quite come out the way she had hoped. Fortunately, she was given a second chance. Ashley was nervous heading into Grease Academy because she felt her similar appearance to movie-Sandy would actually be a setback. She had to prove that she not only looked like Sandy, but could also act and sing and dance as well. Her first three weeks went well, but her performance of Nancy Sinatra's "These Boots Were Made for Walking" was less than stellar. This inspired "Ballerina Sandy" to work even harder to try to reach her dream. Denise Van Outen interviews her parents, who, of course, are extraordinarily proud of her.
Laura can't believe that only two months ago she was playing Sandy in her small hometown and now has the potential to play the part on Broadway. Grease Academy was difficult for her because she really had to work at standing out from the rest. She was a little intimidated hearing her fellow contestants sing, but this motivated her to do her best. "Small-Town Sandy's" shining moment was "Jesus Christ Superstar." From that point on, she gave incredible performances week after week. Denise talks to Laura's fiancé, who jokes about the honeymoon they were supposed to currently be on but wouldn't trade the Grease experience for anything.
Finally, the moment arrives. Who will be our Broadway Sandy? "The girl America has chosen to be Sandy is… Laura! You are Sandy!" Yay! Her name is displayed on a giant screen in Times Square in New York City. Hurrah!
Now it's time for the gentlemen. Austin says that despite his years of experience and training, he was nervous for his audition. He didn't want to get sent home, embarrassed. He moved on to Grease Academy, only to encounter some of the most physically exhausting days of his life. In the competition, "Hot Danny" (bleh) was nervous about performing "Ease on Down the Road" from "The Wiz," but he managed to pull it off… supposedly. I personally didn't care for it, but what do I know, right? He admits that his "Fun, Fun, Fun" was not a good week for him. I remember describing it as "weird." Austin even fell in the bottom two but never lost hope. Denise sits down with Austin's mother and grandmother, who get emotionally choked up talking about the young hopeful.
Max says that being the underdog in the series has actually helped him, giving him an opportunity to grow and transform before everyone. He's grateful the panel decided to take him in to Grease Academy, despite his shaggy hair. However, he almost didn't make the cut to the actual show, the judges debating between him and all-American jock Matt Nolan. Max made it through though and really found his inner Danny in songs like "It Take Two" and "Hard to Handle." He feels it's given this contest his all. Denise interviews his parents and adorable little brother, who talk about the roller coaster of emotions they've been through over the past few weeks.
So, who will be our Broadway Danny? "Last week, there was one percent voting margin between the two of you. America was truly divided, so who's done enough to gain the winning advantage? …For one of you, the dream of playing Danny Zuko on Broadway is about to become a reality. The winning Danny of Grease: You're the One that I Want is… Max Crumm!" Yay…? Well, if I had to choose between the two evils, I'd go with Max, too. Just like Laura, his name is on a giant screen in Times Square.
All of the former Danny-hopefuls now back up Max in a performance of "Greased Lightning". It's interesting how they changed the lyrics. This song is perhaps the crudest, most sexually-driven in the whole show. There are lots of dirty words that had to be altered. After their spirited routine, Laura Osnes sings a wonderful solo of "Hopelessly Devoted to You." Finally, all fourteen men and women pour onto the stage for the classic "Summer Nights." After one verse, we are finally introduced to the REST of the Broadway cast of Grease, some of whom look a bit old to be playing high school students. I worry that Max and Laura won't quite "fit in" with the cast, only because they're the ages they should actually be! The Broadway cast completes "Summer Nights" and segues to "You're the One that I Want." Yes, again. But thankfully, this is the last and final time.
That's it folks. Max and Laura are our new Danny and Sandy. Thank you all for keeping me company on this interesting, if not entertaining, ride. I hope you all enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed writing.
We go together like ramma lamma lamma ka dinga da dinga dong
Remembered forever as shoo-bop sha whada whadda yippidy boom da boom
polomex@realityshack.com shoo bop that's the way it should be
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