If you missed Taylor this summer on Broadway as the Teen Angel in *Grease*, you will have another chance as he joins the touring cast of the show which will come to at least 15 cities this Winter and Spring! Yes, according to Broadway World, "...the producers of the Tony Award nominated new Broadway production of GREASE are proud to announce that "American Idol" Season Five winner, Taylor Hicks, will star in the first national tour of the show, launching at the Providence Performing Arts Center in Providence, RI on December 2, 2008. Taylor Hicks made his debut on Broadway in the role of "Teen Angel" this past summer..."
Taylor goes on to say, "I had such a great experience on Broadway for the last three months," says Hicks. "This is such a great opportunity to visit old fans and new fans across the country while bringing them a great Broadway show!"
Here are my thoughts.... As I'm reading comments from long time fans of his who are expressing disappointment that this is somehow a distraction from working on and completing his new album, I say that nobody has walked in his shoes and therefore are not in a position to pass judgement on this man's business decisions. After 10+ years of being a broke musician, perhaps Taylor sees this as an opportunity to secure his financial independence in the short term. Perhaps this is a way to finance a kick-ass tour coming up in support of the CD that's on it's way. We have NO IDEA what he has mulling in the back of his mind.
The word "selfish" keeps coming to my mind when reading about those whiners. They are like children - wanting it their way and their way now. Whaaa! I swear, this recent development is like deja-vu all over again when the news of Taylor's role in Grease at the beginning of the summer garnered a lot of whining & disappointment. Let's not forget people - it turned out to be one of the BEST career decisions he has ever made - gaining kudos from everyone from the press, to his fellow cast members to hard-core, long time theater goers. I have enough faith in Taylor to know what's best for HIM.
As much as some refuse to admit, Taylor is FIRST an entertainer and SECOND a musician, in my not-so-humble opinion. Let's not forget people, whether you like Taylor in this role or not, it's rejuvenated his career, got people excited about him again, gained GREAT press and put a hell of alot of cash in his pocket - enough to afford that gorgeous $4,600/month sky-line apt in the heart of Times Square.
As a fan, I will support him in any career decision he deems good for himself because I'm not in a position to know the ins and outs of his life and what he needs for himself and what he's aiming for. I may not always be enthusiastic about every decision he makes, but I will be there for the next gig.
Those 'fickle fans' should be ashamed. Should he just disappear again for 6 months while finishing this CD, or should he continue to get out there and be a working entertainer gaining kudos across the country until the CD is ready? It's a no-brainer in my mind.
For those planning on seeing this production of Grease starring Taylor Hicks, here is the current itinerary:
Dec. 2-7, 2008 at the Providence Performing Arts Center, Providence, RI
Dec. 9-14, 2008 at the Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, East Lansing, MI
Dec. 16-21, 2008 at Palace Theatre, Columbus, OH
Dec. 30, 2008-Jan. 4, 2009 at the Orpheum Theatre, Minneapolis, MN
Jan. 6-18, 2009 at the Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, IL
Jan. 20-Feb. 1, 2009 at the Aronoff Center for the Arts, Cincinnati, OH
Feb. 3-15, 2009 at the Hippodrome Theatre, Baltimore, MD
Feb. 24-March 1, 2009 at the Music Hall, Tucson, AZ
March 3-8, 2009 at the Civic Theatre, San Diego, CA
March 10-22, 2009 at the Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
March 24-April 19, 2009 at the Golden Gate Theatre, San Francisco, CA
April 21-26, 2009 at Keller Auditorium, Portland, OR
April 28-May 10, 2009 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Costa Mesa, CA
May 12-30, 2009 at the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA
If you'd like to audition for this touring company, check out the audition schedule. According to Broadway.Com Taylor is the only role that has been cast so far. So... who knows, it's possible Taylor could be singing to you on that stage!
http://www.playbill.com/jobs/find/job_detail/23560.html
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10 comments:
OMG!!! I am sooooo thrilled to read the news!!!
Taylor in San Diego AND Los Angeles. I look forward to his West Coast return! I know I'll be buying my tickets!
As Taylor has said before, it's a marathon, not a sprint. The man HAS the talent and will definitely be around for a LONG time. Be happy for the opportunity he has been given to tour with Grease. He obviously enjoyed the experience enough to continue with it. If it makes him happy, it makes me happy. (You've seen the show pics, right?)
Sure, I would love to have that new CD in my hot little hand today, but they also say that good (great, in this case) things come to those who wait. I think Taylor knows what he is doing and I will respect his choices. This opportunity will definitely increase his fan base even more and allow him the funds to help finance his future endeavors. I doubt he's hurting in that department though.
I want to see him on the road as much (more) than the rest of the SP, but I know the day will be here soon enough for his '09 TOUR and CD!! I will be there for him then as I am there for him NOW!!
Give our boy a break. I know he won't let you down.
Share a smile!!
I must say I am shocked and I wonder just when he made this decision and who from the N.Y. cast will be on the tour. WOW! Having expressed my shock and questions, I saw him in N.Y. and I'll be seeing him again in Baltimore in Feb. I am a huge Hicks fan and will support him all the way. Yes he is a great entertainer and seemed to love the theatre, and now will always be able to get future roles. While touring ticket prices are about half or less that of broadway, the theaters hold a lot more people so there is money to be made. In the end real fans will support him.
Totally agree with you on this Griz. The man's an ENTERTAINER first and a musician second. Taylor needs this good publicity to continue throughout the country - not just NY. What a perfect way to get the buzz generated about Taylor again - since it seems that only his most die-hard fans knows he's still around.
The whiners will come around - just like they did when he first performed Grease on Broadway (and if they don't so what - he will gain many new fans). Your right Griz - it's not about them - it's about what's right for Taylor and his future.
Now, I can't wait for the San Fran show! Yeah!
(berney)
I read a comment on RightHicksSave
and ran right over here to see if it was true. I knew Griz would have the latest info.
Well so far the closest they're coming to me is Chicago... that's a lot closer than NY.
If this is what Taylor has chosen to do I totally support him. He hasn't lead us astray yet. This will give him the chance to Woooo even more new fans.
Boy you nailed it! I'm so excited for Taylor and anything he does is fine by me. Grease saw the increase in ticket sales and think it's a brilliant move for them and Taylor. Don't like whiners all they do is WHINE. A glass of wine, that's fine!
I think it's great! Thanks for being positive.
Wow, I really do not know how I feel about this. I'm still a fan for life,BSD is show stopper,but, I miss the music Taylor. Being a New Yorker I now I have to share him. Oh well, I'll pray for him on the road. Break a leg Taylor, I'll support you no matter what.
Hmmm...
As tempting and relatively close that Providence is, I think that I will pass on this...
After all is said and done, I DID get to see Taylor 4 times on Broadway... :-D
As much as I am sad to hear that the upcoming CD has been postponed until Spring 2009, I am THRILLED to hear that TPTB of "GREASE" wanted Taylor to continue his run with the National Tour...
Anyway, I also agree with Griz, Berney, Trixi in that Taylor is an ENTERTAINER, first and foremost...
Based on what I said in my recap regarding Taylor's Final Matinee and Evening shows on Broadway on September 7th:
"'As the Grateful Dead once sang, “’What a long, strange trip this has been’” and boy, ever since May 24, 2006, those words have been truly prophetic…
But no matter where the “long and winding road” may take Taylor, you can be sure to see me somewhere along for the ride, from now to the “end of the line,” wherever and whenever that may take me…'"
Taylor was given a GREAT opportunity to continue with Grease. Can't we just all get along and be HAPPY for him. I definitely want to see him back on the road doing some new music. He will be doing that for us before you know it. In the meantime, let's respect AND support his decisions. He NO dummy! Patience everyone. Go buy another copy of EW if you're looking for something to do. Peace!
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