The above are two links for videos of the reunion of the Grease performers who were in the original NYC cast 40 years ago. The first like is of Jim Canning, who took me to Sardi's afterwards to hear what he describes as "the decidedly mixed reviews." He says the reunion was "a perfect blend of nostalgia for a glorious past and and pride in a pragmatic present." He thinks it's pragmatic that he gave up "show business" and now teaches Latin at a boys' school in Connecticut. Jim is someone I met in Peace Corps staging in San Jose, CA, before we left for training on Molokai, and our perfect date (before Sardi's) is described in an earlier blog:
Hmm. Well, I looked for it and couldn't find it on my blogs. I'll include it after this one.
Anyway, I was on my way to Spain when Grease opened in 1972, and before opening night, Jim gave me the script to read. I thought, "Oh, dear, this is really dumb. It's going to be a flop. But it's an honor to be in a NY production even if it folds on opening night." I wanted it to be more like Bye-Bye Birdie. Then I saw it and really liked it because they all did it so well. Of course, it went on to beat all records for the longest-running off-Broadway show in history. (There are new records now.)
Jim is wonderful! It's amazing how well he sings and how young he's stayed. I, on the other hand, was recently referred to as "the other elder in our class."
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