Dave Gee: Life from Right Field

US TV network NBC is picking up on Andrew Lloyd Webber's idea, and launching its own 'Theatre Idol' search... for a revival of the hit musical Grease. (Teen readers may know it better as "that funny old school version of High School Musical" ;-)

They've gone with an obvious title for the new mid-season show, "You're The One That We Want", which will see 3 judges and the American viewers choosing the two leads for a new Broadway production of Grease.

The tv talent competition, produced by BBC Worldwide, will search the US for the new Danny Zuko (played by John Travolta in the film) and Sandy Dumbrowski (actually Olsen in the film, played by Olivia Newton-John).

Original co-creator of Grease, Jim Jacobs, will be one of the judges on the NBC show, along with Director/Choreographer Kathleen Marshall, and Theatre Producer David Ian (currently a judge on BBC UK's How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?).

The new production of Grease is scheduled to open on Broadway in mid-2007, with tickets going on sale this December.

* BroadwayWorld: TV Talent Search to Find Stars for New Broadway 'Grease'
* Zap2it: NBC, 'Grease' Go Together - Midseason show will pick cast members for revival