THEATRE UNDER THE STARS
www.tuts.com

Presents

GREASE

October 14 - November 2, 2003
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

GREASED LIGHTNIN'. Kenicki (John Ashley) and the Burger Palace Boys. Photo courtesy of Theatre Under The Stars. GREASE is now showing at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts Houston, Texas through November 2nd, 2003.

THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE '50'S RETURNS WHEN TUTS PRESENTS FRANKIE AVALON IN "GREASE"
HOUSTON, TEXAS…Even 30 years after it first revved up Broadway audiences, Grease is still the word! Presented by Theatre Under The Stars and featuring Pop idol legend, Frankie Avalon, Grease will play the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby at Walker) from October 14 - November 2, 2003. This all-new production will meld the stage and film versions into one complete songfest with such favorites as "You're The One That I Want," "Summer Lovin," and "Greased Lightnin'." Reprising his film role as "Teen Angel", Avalon will perform "Beauty School Dropout", as well as thrill audiences with a post-show review of his hits from the '50's.

Born in Philadelphia, Avalon's singing talents were recognized early and his first song, "De De Dinah" and later "Venus" became the first of many smash hits of the era. His film career included over 30 films, such as the highly successful Beach Party film series with Annette Funicello and John Wayne's directorial debut, The Alamo. Avalon also guest starred on numerous TV variety programs, as well as had a successful nightclub career that included many Vegas and New York landmarks like the Sands and the Copacabana.

Set in 1950's America, Grease follows the story of Danny Zuko, a member of the "Burger Palace Boys" gang at mythical Rydell High, and Sandy Dumbrowski, a sweet innocent who has just transferred there from the cloistered confines of Immaculata High. Having met at the beach, they fall in love immediately, but are separated at the end of summer. Thinking they will never meet again, they are surprised to reunite at Rydell High. Their reunion confirms that they are from two different worlds. So when Danny finally decides not to live up to her image of him as an All-American-Boy track star, she puts on tight jeans and a bouffant hairdo, joins the "Pink Ladies" gang, starts French-inhaling "Hit Parade" cigarettes and (naturally) gets her man.

SUMMER NIGHTS BOYS. Danny (Jamey Isenor) and the Burger Palace Boys. Photo courtesy of Theatre Under The Stars. GREASE is now showing at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts Houston, Texas through November 2nd, 2003.

Written by Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs, this new National Tour of Grease is directed by Ray DeMattis and features choreography by Christopher Gattelli, set design by James Youmans, costumes by Wendall Goings, lighting design by Mike Baldassari, and sound design and musical direction by Steve Bishop.

Joining Avalon in the cast are Hanna-Liina Vosa (Sandy Dumbrowski), Jamey Isenor (Danny Zuko), Danny Smith (Sonny LaTierri), John Ashley (Kenickie), Sarah Hubbard (Frenchy), Craig McEldowney (Doody), Kirsten Allyn Michaels (Marty), Jaqueline Colmer (Betty Rizzo), Jason Harper (Roger), Kristen Bedard (Jan) and Arthur J. Callahan (Vince Fontaine).

Grease was originally staged as a five-hour amateur production in a Chicago trolley barn. After opening off-Broadway in 1972, the show quickly moved to Broadway that same year, enjoying a run of 3,388 performances - a record that would stand until beaten by A Chorus Line. Nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Grease is one of the longest running-shows in the history of Broadway.

SUMMER NIGHTS. Sandy (Hanna Liina Vosa) and the Pink Ladies. Photo courtesy of Theatre Under The Stars. GREASE is now showing at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts Houston, Texas through November 2nd, 2003.

Single tickets for Grease ($25-$68) are available to the public by phone at (713) 558-8887 or outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882; or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, (800 Bagby at Walker, Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm); or on-line at www.tuts.com.

Sponsors of TUTS' production of Grease include ConocoPhillips; Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer & Feld, LLP; Burlington Resources; Mr. & Mrs. Edward E. Hickam; JPMorgan Chase; and Mr. & Mrs. Geoffrey D. Roberts, Jr. Air transportation is provided by Continental Airlines, the official airline of Theatre Under The Stars. Media sponsors are KTRK-TV/Channel 13 and the Houston Chronicle.

Theatre Under The Stars, one of America's largest producers of non-profit musical theatre, was founded in 1968 by Frank M. Young. Theatre Under The Stars was the first theatrical organization in Houston to perform free to the public at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park, and has since performed there each summer, giving Houston 42 lavish musicals such as South Pacific, West Side Story and The Who's Tommy, all remaining free. Since its founding, Theatre Under The Stars has produced more than 240 major musicals including many local, national and world premieres, such as Jekyll & Hyde, Sayonara, Kopit/Yeston's Phantom, and is currently represented on Broadway with Beauty and the Beast. As a way to continue the tradition of musical theatre, Theatre Under The Stars' Humphreys School of Musical Theatre provides instruction and stage experience for more than 1,000 students annually.

-0-0-0-0-0-

YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT. Danny (Jamey Isenor) and Sandy (Hanna-Liina Vosa) with the Burger Palace Boys and Pink Ladies. Photo courtesy of Theatre Under The Stars. GREASE is now showing at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts Houston, Texas through November 2nd, 2003.

GREASE

DATES: October 14 - November 2, 2003

VENUE: Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
800 Bagby at Walker
Houston, Texas

SHOW TIMES: Tuesday - Friday, 8:00pm; Saturday, 2:00pm and 8:00pm;
Sunday, 2:00pm & 7:30pm

PRICES: Single tickets are $68 - $25

PURCHASE TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased by calling 713-558--TUTS (8887) or outside the Houston area at 888-558-3882. Tickets are also available at Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, 800 Bagby at Walker (no service charge). Tickets can also be bought and printed on-line using TUTS' E-Ticket System at www.tuts.com

SHOW DESCRIPTION: Written by Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs, Grease was originally staged as a five-hour amateur production in a Chicago trolley barn. After opening off-Broadway in 1972, the show quickly moved to Broadway that same year, enjoying a run of 3,388 performances - a record that would stand until beaten by A Chorus Line. Nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Grease is one of the longest running shows in the history of Broadway. Set in 1950's America, Grease follows the story of Danny Zuko, a member of the "Burger Palace Boys" gang at mythical Rydell High and Sandy Dumbrowski, a sweet innocent who has just transferred there from the cloistered confines of Immaculata High. Having met at the beach, they fall in love immediately, but are separated at the end of summer. Thinking they will never meet again, they are surprised to reunite at Rydell High. Their reunion confirms that they are from two different worlds. So when Danny finally decides not to live up to her image of him as an All-American boy track star, she puts on tight jeans and a bouffant hairdo, joins the "Pink Ladies" gang, starts French-inhaling "Hit Parade" cigarettes and (naturally) gets her man.

-0-0-0-0-0-

FRANKIE AVALON

Frankie Avalon is crossing the milestone of his 42nd year as one of America's leading young entertainers. Frankie can look back on a career that spans three generations of music, television and motion pictures, which he feels is due primarily to the loyalty and trust of his audience.

Frankie's years as a "Teenage Idol" have been succeeded by maturity and professionalism. He is currently one of the busiest nightclub performers in the country, playing the nations' finest supper clubs and headlining top Las Vegas Hotel Main rooms. His motion picture career has already spanned some thirty films.

Frankie was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania September 18th, 2003. "It seems like every young kid in Philadelphia wanted to be a singer", recalls Frankie. "I started as a musician…. a trumpet player in the beginning. But, when I picked up the paper one day and read about Jimmy Darren, who was from my own neighborhood and school, making a successful career for himself, I decided that I could do it just as well."

Until he was nine, Frankie seized every opportunity to enter local amateur contests, winning one after another. On his own initiative, Frankie began taking lessons, and continued his musical studies long and hard through the years that followed. One of his instructors was a member of the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, who volunteered to teach the trumpet virtuoso after hearing him play. Youthful Frankie Avalon was good enough to make guest appearances as a trumpet player on The Perry Como and Jackie Gleason Television Shows.

Frankie has a long string of Gold Record Million - Seller singles and albums. It wasn't uncommon during the 1930's - 40's for an actor to log extensive film credits. But in modern Hollywood, industry - ites find Frankie's 30 motion picture credits quite amazing.

Frankie's starring roles in the highly successful "Beach Party" film series, are perhaps quickest to recall. They include "Beach Party", "Muscle Beach Party", "Beach Blanket Bingo", "Dr. Goldfoot and the Bikini Machine", "Bikini Beach" and "How to Stuff a Wild Bikini."

The "Beach" pictures were enormous box office successes. But Frankie, who studied with Wynn Handman in New York and Estelle Harmon in Los Angeles had his acting accolades reserved for his dramatic roles in "The Dark", "The Alamo", "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea" and "Guns of the Timberland", and comedic talent in "Skidoo", "Sail a Crooked Ship", "I'll Take Sweden", "Ski Party", "The Take" and "Sergeant Deadhead."

Frankie's nightclub career has taken him around the world, headlining the finest supper clubs and niteries. Within the USA, he has starred at The Sahara, Sands, Desert Inn and Landmark Hotels in Las Vegas, the Fountainebleau and Eden Roc Hotels in Miami Beach, Blinstrub's in Boston, Rainbow Grill and Copacabana in New York, Latin Casion in New Jersey, Palumbo's Philadelphia; Camellia House - Chicago; Cork Club - Houston; and Duke's - Honolulu. Frankie has performed for audiences in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and the Philippines and continues to receive offers to make appearances around the world. His appearances at the International Festival of Stars in Romania marked the second time that an entertainer from the United States had performed in that Iron Curtain country since World War II. (The other was Louis Armstrong).

In addition to working six months out of the year in nightclubs, Frankie is a familiar face to television viewers, having appeared on just about every top variety show, guest starring on numerous dramatic series and starring in several of his own specials.

Frankie appeared in a cameo role in the very successful movie "Grease" where he sang "Beauty School Dropout" and this cameo was considered one of the highlights of the movie.

Many honors have been beStowed upon the young, but seasoned star. Among the many local, regional, and national and international honors are: The Disc Jockey's Association Selection as "King of Song" - 1959, title of "Outstanding Singer of 1961" by the California All - Youth Symphony Orchestra, selection by Box Office Magazine in 1964 as one of the "Top Three Young Male Stars" at the motion picture box office, named by Film Daily in 1964 as one of the "Five Best Young Actors of the Year."

FREDDY MY LOVE. Pink Ladies. Photo courtesy of Theatre Under The Stars. GREASE is now showing at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts Houston, Texas through November 2nd, 2003.