Grease Clears Way for Great Balls of Fire
Date: 14 June 1999
After six years, the musical Grease will be finishing its run in the West End. Grease opened at the Dominion Theatre on 15 July 1993 and transferred to the Cambridge Theatre on 24 October 1996. The musical will now close on 4 September 1999. It will be replaced by the West End premiere of Great Balls of Fire, the story of American rock and roll star Jerry Lee Lewis.
Over the years, Grease has attracted many stars of pop, stage and television to the parts of star-crossed lovers Danny and Sandy, made famous by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the 1970s film. Shane Richie, Luke Goss, Craig McLauchlan, Adam Garcia, Debbie Gibson, Samantha Janus and Sonia have all featured in the cast. Darren Day and Nikki Worrall are currently starring.
The London production is the first stage show to use songs from the hit film, including 'You're the One that I Want', 'Hopelessly Devoted to You', 'Sandy' and the title song, 'Grease'. By the end of its run, Grease will have racked up over 2,500 performances and £60 million in ticket sales.
Like Grease, Great Balls of Fire is set in the era of 1950s rock and roll. It follows the story of one of the decade's most controversial rockers, Lee Lewis, as he sets the world alight with his new brand of music and then storms into infamy when he marries a teenage girl. Billy Geraghty, a former Buddy, stars as the singer. Great Balls of Fire, by Todd W M Ristau and Richard Cameron, is directed by Simon Usher. The new musical opens 6 October 1999 (previews from 1 October).
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