The smash-hit musical Grease is now booking until January 2010 and has a new cast including singer and television star Ray Quinn from ITV's Dancing on Ice. Ray will be swapping his ice skates for his dancing shoes when he joins the cast for a limited season from 11 May to 3 October 2009 at The Piccadilly Theatre.
Ray will star in the iconic role of ‘Danny' and his sweetheart ‘Sandy' will be played by real life sweetheart Emma Stephens (Grease, Starlight Express, Saturday Night Fever). The new class of Rydell High enrolling from 11 May also includes Stuart Ramsay (‘Kenickie'), Natalie Langston (‘Rizzo'), Michael Melmoe (‘Roger'), Laura Wilson (‘Jan'), Benjamin Ibbott (‘Doody'), Faye Brookes (‘Frenchy'), Bennett Andrews (‘Sonny'), Robyn Mellor (Marty'), Jamie Tyler (‘Eugene'), Lizzi Franklin (‘Patty'), Jason Capewell (‘Vince/Teen Angel), Marie Daly ‘(Miss Lynch') and KrisTina Macmillan (‘Cha Cha'), with other parts played by the ensemble.
Former X-Factor finalist Ray Quinn recently won the nation's hearts all over again on the popular ITV show Dancing on Ice. Ray was crowned champion of the celebrity ice dance contest, after skating his way to glory in the final show on 22 March. The Ice King will complete the live UK tour of Dancing on Ice before skating into Grease on 11 May, where he is set to thrill and charm audiences as ‘Danny'.
Following in the footsteps of screen idol John Travolta, Ray will play leader of the T-Birds gang ‘Danny' having previously played the role of ‘Doody'. Travolta famously played ‘Danny Zuko' in the iconic 1978 movie but was discovered playing ‘Doody' in the 1972 North American touring production.
Looking forward to his role in Grease, Ray says: "'I'm so thrilled to be playing 'Danny' in the West End. Grease is such an all time favourite and to be in the role made so famous by John Travolta is amazing- I can't believe my luck, it's a dream come true!"
Producer David Ian says: "I am absolutely delighted to have a performer of Ray's stature in Grease. He has proven what an incredible talent he is on Dancing on Ice and I know he will truly thrill audiences as Danny Zuko".
Ray began his acting career in the hugely popular Channel 4 soap Brookside. After his notable appearance on the ITV show The X-Factor in 2006, Ray went on to release his debut and subsequently No 1 platinum selling album ‘Doing It My Way'. He also completed his own sell-out tour of the UK in 2007.
Grease returned to the West End in summer 2007 and is now in its second great year at The Piccadilly Theatre. The smash-hit musical has already been seen by well over a half a million theatregoers since its premiere on 8 August 2007. With kids able to go free for a limited season, Grease is the perfect treat for all the family this spring into summer.*
Grease celebrated the 15th anniversary of its opening in the West End last year- having first opened at the Dominion Theatre on 15 July 1993- and the original movie also celebrated its 30th anniversary, reinforcing the show's enduring appeal and popularity with every generation.
The current production of Grease has raised a staggering £526,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support through giving Macmillan £1 of every ticket sold in the first year, a gala performance, and from money raised by the leading actors appearing on a celebrity special of The Weakest Link.
Since breaking out on Broadway in 1972, Grease's place has been firmly established in the cultural Hall of Fame, having seduced the hearts of millions with its back-to-back sizzling tunes. The show features all the unforgettable songs from the hit film including ‘You're The One That I Want', ‘Grease Is The Word', ‘Summer Nights', ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You', ‘Sandy', ‘Greased Lightnin' and many more.
Voted the "No 1 Greatest Musical"**, Grease has proved that a musical love story, bursting with denim, cheerleaders, slick hairstyles, rock'n'roll, teenage angst and young romance is timeless and universal. This production originally opened in the West End in 1993 (co-produced with Robert Stigwood) where it enjoyed a fantastic run of 6 years. The last international tour of Grease was a phenomenal success, playing to sell-out audiences and smashing records at many venues. Since 1993, the show has been seen by audiences totalling over 9 million people in the UK alone.
