Ace Young - in Grease
Here's an Ace Report from richie! Woohoo!
Well, after many fits and starts, I was finally on my way to NYC to see ‘Grease’ on Broadway. I have to admit I am not a huge fan of the show, but I am a rampant Ace-aholic. Yes, I was finally getting the chance to see Ace Young on Broadway, after a few previous plans fell through.I was meeting fellow Ace fans Linda, Joni and Kimberly. Joni and Kimberly traveled in to see him, and Joni was kind enough to make sure there was a ticket I could buy for the Friday night show, which I scooped right up. So Friday afternoon I jumped in my car and headed north. After arriving at my sister’s house in New Jersey, I changed and caught the NJ Transit train to Penn Station and the excitement set in. I was listening to his CD on the way, preparing to have a great time. I walked from Penn Station to the Brooks Atkinson Theater on 47th Street, giddy knowing I would be meeting the ladies for some fun before the show.
We met up, and went to the bar next door for a drink and to catch up. After having a few laughs and some great stories – the ladies had seen the show already, having attending shows on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – I was truly primed to see Ace. So we made our way to join the line outside the theater.
We found our seats and sat down, the excitement almost palpable for me. We saw other fans in the audience, waving and giving the occasional hug. Then the lights went down, and the warm-up started.
But it was when the show really started that made me the happiest. Ace came out, with newly shortened hair and looking great in his tight fifties-inspired costume that made me smile and applaud. He was playing Kenickie, the bad-boy rebel with a cause – having the car of his dreams. He sang and danced with the others, and my eyes stayed with him throughout.Finally, he had his solo, ‘Greased Lightnin.’ It was fantastic, as the rust-bucket of a car he had purchased was transformed into a shiny red car that rolled across the stage,, did spins, and was a bad-boys dream come true. Speaking of dreams come true, Ace was singing atop the car, in tight jeans and a wife-beater. He sounded great, and you can’t ask for much more than that. Despite the busy schedule of a Broadway star, Ace has obviously found the time to work out, for his shoulders were even broader than before.
He was fantastic, his acting better than I thought it would be. He teamed up with Janine DiVitta, who played Rizzo, and the two were the stars of the show for me. They, like most of the cast, was onstage for most of the show, always in character and often rolling around swapping spit. And Ace was again fantastic doing the ‘Hand Jive,’ proving he was prepared to show off more skills than that wonderful voice and handsome look we all knew about. And his curtain call applause and squeals were the loudest of the night.
After the show, Ace was kind enough to invite the ladies and I backstage for a quick visit. He is just the nicest and sweetest guy, giving hugs and kind words, and signed a ‘Grease’ t-shirt I bought for my nephew. He talked a bit about the show, and how much fun he was having. But alas, we had to let him go, for there were plenty of people outside the stage door, waiting for an autograph and a picture, and he had rehearsals Saturday morning, as well as a matinee and evening show. Seems they were putting ‘Greased Lightnin’ in the closing medly, another chance to hear Ace solo. So we said our goodbyes and left, and I hurried down to Times Square to get a picture of the huge billboard with Ace. Then we made our way back to the theater to take a picture or two with the poster, and noticed Ace was outside greeting fans. It was good to see, and we made our way to get a drink and relive the experience with giggles and grins abounding. Soon it was back to Penn Station, and a fun time thinking how great it will be to come back soon and see it again, maybe making Rickey join me!