Episode 3 – Grease Academy or Deathstalker High?

Grease: You're the One that I Want!, Episode 3 – Grease Academy or Deathstalker High? by Teeuwynn Woodruff -- 01/22/2007 In the past two weeks, our intrepid judging panel has visited several cities searching for the 50 best Danny and Sandy prospects to take to Grease Academy. But only 12 Sandys and Dannys will graduate to compete for your vote. How does seasoned veteran Austin Miller make out when he's sent back to school? We've made it through the first round of auditions, and so have 50 wannabe Sandys and Dannys. Now, it's time for them to return to their school days and find a locker at Grease Academy. And if any of the wannabes think their principal (producer David Ian), Head Mistress (director Kathleen Marshall), or Dean (writer Jim Jacobs) is going to let them skate through this semester... they're in for a rude awakening! Grease Academy starts bright and early as a school bus drops the participants off at school at a little past seven in the morning. The Sandys and Dannys giggle nervously as they store their things in old-fashioned lockers reminiscent of Rydell High's hallway fixtures. Classes at Grease Academy including rigorous instruction in dancing, singing, and acting. This school won't have a high graduation rate, so the students will have to complete their courses with honors to graduate to compete for audience votes. The Dannys start off school at 7:14 am with a dancing class. Kathleen Marshall scrutinizes the boys' moves as they learn a new, demanding routine. Some of the guys already look like they're in trouble, but Austin Miller, a veteran of a soap opera (Days of Our Lives) as well as playing Link in a professional touring company of Hairspray, looks right at home. Austin interviews that he's managed to make his living from acting and modeling. He thinks there's “a level of polish that comes with experience.” And from what we see, Austin speaks the truth. He's good! Vince Ortiz, a 20-year-old ice cream store manager, doesn't find the dancing as easy. He notes that he's “one of the least-trained people here.” He says Grease Academy actually does make him remember high school, because he was always an outsider there too. However, watching Vince go through the moves, I think he shows innate dancing talent. He isn't as polished as some, but he moves smoothly and can gyrate his hips – a very important skill for Danny Zuko! Kathleen Marshall interviews that the Dannys and Sandys have to be triple threats. They need to sing, dance, and act to make it. Kathleen intends to weed out anyone who doesn't have the chops for the roles. Producer David Ian is in meetings about the budget for the show, so Kathleen and Jim Jacobs are on their own today evaluating talent. We now join them at the Sandys’ first singing class. The Sandys are nervous and hoping to impress the two. Ashley Anderson, a pretty blonde waitress we first met in New York when she almost couldn't hit the high note at her audition, sings “Hopelessly Devoted to You” in a sweet, light voice. She emotes as she sings, which I think the panel likes. I know Kathleen is always looking for that! Ashley interviews that there is a lot of pressure at Grease Academy. Nobody wants to get cut! After Ashley Anderson we see another Ashley – Ashley Spencer. This 21-year-old blonde is also a waitress and performed well in Los Angeles; she really belts out “Hopelessly Devoted to You” here. We cut from Ashley for an interview with Juliana Hansen, a 23-year-old office temp. She notes that the reality is that there are a lot of talented people here, so it will be hard to get through. Juliana says she wants to be the best Sandy she can be, but the whole thing is scary. Meanwhile, Kate Rockwell, a delivery driver, sings nicely until she hits one flat note, which makes Jim and Kathleen wince a bit... but otherwise she seems to do alright. After this we see Juliana very sweetly sing the last few notes from the song. She hits the final high note very well. Jim tells her she did well. Juliana also came across as sweet and positive in her interview – and that kind of thing can win you points when it gets to the audience vote. Kelli La Valle, a 17-year-old high school student we first met in L.A., is wearing some serious eye makeup today. Yikes! I think she's trying to look older, but it's not really working for her. We learn that her schedule is even tougher because she gets pulled out of Grease Academy for three hours of regular school work every day. She seems to take it in stride. While Kelli does her school work, the other Dannys and Sandys work on their first acting scene. They're trying the drive-in scene where Danny comes on to Sandy a little too hard for her innocent tastes. Jim Jacobs enthusiastically interviews that if you find the right Sandy and Danny then you just see the sparks flying! The right pair will have great chemistry together. We don't get to see too much of the scenes, but we do get a montage of Dannys feigning pain as the Sandys slam an imaginary car door on their hands or other bodily parts. Jim giggles with glee. Moving forward to the afternoon, we get to see the Sandys in their first dance class. As she did in L.A., Ashley Spencer and her long legs rock the dance class. Ashley notes that she started dancing when she was just four years old. She wanted to be a prima ballerina, but injured her toe and can't dance on point anymore. That's when she decided to try singing and acting... and here she is in Grease Academy! Ashley is doing so well that the instructors ask her to demonstrate some moves for another auditioner, 19-year-old Jacqueline Petzel. Jacqueline says she's not much of a dancer and she doesn't learn the steps quickly. She just hopes the instructors see that she can learn, takes instruction, and once she knows the steps – she's got them. Unfortunately for Jacqueline, I don't know if the panel will give her that time, unless she really impresses them in other areas. Time to hear the Dannys sing! The guys are nervous. Sweet Matthew Carpenter whose sour girlfriend, Sarah, dumped him for making Grease Academy flubs some notes. But he's not the only one messing with the song, “Sandy.” Jim Jacobs makes various pained faces as he scribbles notes. He's either not feeling the Dannys or trying to pass a kidney stone. I'm not entirely sure which. Derek Keeling, a 26-year-old design consultant, says it's like showing up to work knowing you could be fired at any time... but might just make it big. Derek sings well and Kathleen seems to like him. After 14 hours of classes, Jim and Kathleen take a break to see where they're at. Jim says he's “more than a little worried” about things. Nobody has really knocked his socks off. But, never fear, David Ian is here! Scary music plays as David walks into Grease Academy in... slow... motion. At this point I can't help wondering if this show is going to turn into a teen slasher film instead of a high school musical. The music is that dramatic. No. Really. But apparently all David did was send the kids home to rest, because now it's day two of Grease Academy! Jim lectures the Sandys on acting while Kathleen teaches dancing. Meanwhile, our slasher-producer David Ian holds one-on-one singing auditions. Poor Ashley Anderson struggles on a high note again in front of David. Not good, Ashley! She tells him she's really nervous, and he tells her to relax. As she cries a bit, David points out that if they were on Broadway and she lost it for real, it's just not going to work. Ashley is obviously upset as she cries and misses the notes again. David tells her to go outside and collect herself. He says she has to use her emotion, not lose her performance in it. On the other side of Grease Academy, three auditioners – Jason Celaya, Chad Doreck, and George Pellegrino – are doing pretty well in singing class. They're having fun singing “Big Girls Don't Cry.” Chad, a soccer coach, says he, Jason, and George are clicking and that they're like the T-Birds. They actually met at the first audition and bonded there. Twenty-nine-year-old George, an actor, says they help each other. Meanwhile, the singing instructor asks them how they did. George rates them a 4. Jason questions George's original score, and gives his own performance a 7.5. The 31-year-old teacher says they are friends, but the competition is serious. Chad notes, only one can make it. By midday, some of the wannabes are back with Kathleen Marshall in dance class. According to our host, Billy Bush, Kathleen is “riding the students hard” today. Kathleen lectures the dancers as they make mistakes. She interviews that they need the wannabes to deliver. They don't have time to spoon feed folks. Kathleen's skeptical that an untrained novice can get up to speed in the short time they have to do so. Speaking of untrained novices, jock Matthew Nolan, who has never had a singing class, is now up for his personal audition with David Ian. He sings “You're the One that I Want.” He's not bad, but a little nervous. David agrees, saying he's not seeing “the confident, leader of the pack, that is Danny Zuko.” David says he sees someone who is nervous and never been on stage. David says Matt has to be “sex on legs” and he needs to do whatever he has to do to get there. David tells Matt to take a moment and then do it. David urges Matt to be a rock star as he sings and he does much better. David seems excited after the audition. When Matt auditioned in New York, David seemed a fan of his potential. It sure looks like he's going to give Matt every chance to succeed here. Matt interviews that he let his lack of experience get to him at first, but he can't do that any more. Jim, Kathleen, and David get together for another confab in the principal's office. They are going to have a showcase at the end of the week for the best 24 students. However, the other 26 aren't going to just be watching – they'll be going home. To determine who they're letting go, the panel gives the wannabes a fifties song to learn. The audition will be a “sing-off” and only half will make it to the next round. Well, Billy-boy says only half will survive, but unless this really is turning into a teen slasher flick, I'm guessing the only thing getting cut is their chance to continue in the competition. The wannabes will sing “Tears on my Pillow.” They are all nervous about the make-or-break audition. David's voice comes over the loudspeaker saying that the sing-off will start in five minutes. The panel gathers the wannabes in the auditorium. David tells them they will all sing together and if they get tapped on the shoulder then the wannabe is OUT. Ashley Anderson and Matt Nolan look sick hearing this! David warns that just because he walks by, it doesn't mean he won't be back. So, basically they're doing this just like the dance competition at Rydell High – only with singing. I have to assume that the panel already has their decision made on most or all of the contestants at this point and that they're doing this final “audition” to add drama... and toy with the wannabes like cats with mice. As the wannabes start singing, David goes into serial killer mode and slowly stalks his victims. Jim and Kathleen sit together on stage, clutching each other's hands as if waiting for the inevitable bloodbath. A sweet little redhead is the first to fall. She's followed by another wannabe Sandy. Then he taps 42-year-old Dominic Fortuna on the shoulder and his dream is over. Dominic takes it well, saying you never know what the panel wants. He's performed in front of many people and he thinks a lot of people back home will be shocked he was eliminated. But he doesn't sound bitter about it. With that, we go back to our stalker, David. He taps poor Jacqueline Petzel on the shoulder. She cries as she goes, knowing her dancing did her in. Other Dannys and Sandys fall to David's deadly grasp. David pauses by Matt Nolan, but he avoids the death grip and survives. Now it's Matt Carpenter's turn. Will David dump him even harder than Sarah? Yes. Matt is gone. Matt talks outside to our hostess, Denise Van Outen (Hey! I didn't know she was here!). He wants a second chance. He's pissed. Denise just nods sympathetically, while back in the auditorium David stalks past young Kelli La Valle, leaving her teenage flesh unscathed. But Vince Ortiz is not so fortunate. His face crumbles as David bestows the death grip upon him. Now there are 25 wannabes remaining. One more has to go today. Will it be peaches-and-cream Ashley Anderson and her nervous high notes? She looks terrified as she sings... but David slowly walks by her. A few seconds later, David touches one last Sandy, casting her out into the darkness with the other fallen. He then tells the others to stop singing. The relief is palpable. David says that the new Danny and Sandy are standing in the auditorium. Everyone cheers and claps. Austin Miller interviews that he used to have nightmares where Darth Vader would stalk him. This experience was just like his nightmares! Ashley Anderson is thrilled and relieved as are the three T-Birds, George, Chad, and Jason. Apparently, this constitutes graduation from Grease Academy. The 24 remaining wannabes will next perform in a cabaret in front of a “star-studded” audience. From there, only the 12 best will go through to the live shows and compete for your votes. The next day begins with rehearsals for our remaining wannabes. They have 36 hours to get ready for their final showcase. Kathleen begins by staging some numbers chosen to “mirror the emotional journeys of Danny and Sandy.” Kathleen notes that if they were getting this ready for Broadway they'd have weeks to prep – instead of hours. Kathleen's firm as she instructs Kelli La Valle and some other Sandys in their dance moves. She interviews that they have to be sure that they would be happy with any of the twelve finalists on opening night. In other words, she's smart enough that she doesn't want to leave too much in the hands of the voting public! As producer David Ian arrives at the Academy, his signature scary music plays. I wonder if he's gotten all of the blood off his hands from last night's carnage? Apparently, he's here to see some of the “more borderline” performers. Billy tells us that both David and Jim have always wondered whether Max Crumm really looks like a Danny Zuko. He's smaller and not as handsome as some of the other men. Max, a gym receptionist, interviews that he's been in Grease twice. The first time he was Doody and the second, Kenickie. So, he hasn't made the grade as a Danny yet. David says to Jim that Danny doesn't seem to be in Max's DNA. In other words, he just doesn't look the part. But they both agree Max might have the strongest male voice in the competition. You can tell David just wishes Max looked a bit more macho. David actually calls Max over from a rehearsal and tells him he's very vocally talented, but he has to work on his look! David pulls at Max's longish, floppy hair and tells him it's driving him nuts! David says Max should walk around looking like the guy who's going to get the part, and he's not doing that at all. Max nods, taking it all in. He's probably just glad his head's still on his neck after David “Deathgrip” Ian touched it. Now we go to a girls' singing class, where Ashley Spencer tells us she met Cara Hille in line for auditions in L.A. and they've become great friends. Cara, a 21-year-old cocktail waitress, interviews that she thinks Ashley is her biggest competition. Cara's amazed how quickly Ashley learns the new songs and sings them well. The rehearsals continue until late and start again early in the morning at the theater. Kathleen works on staging, while Jim and David greet the audience members. We see a former Pink Lady, Marisa Winokur, and Marilu Henner of Taxi fame (she also played Marty in Grease on Broadway). Reality veteran and movie Kenickie, Jeff Conaway, is also there. He interviews that Danny has to be cool... and everything. Marilu Henner thinks he has to be the guy “everyone swoons over.” As the audience takes their seats, the wannabes are nervously prepping backstage. Well, Austin's pretty confident. He notes that he's “vain enough that he's not going to want to look like a jerk.” David interviews that he's going to feel dumb if this whole experiment doesn't work out and America chooses the wrong Danny and Sandy. If that happens, his show will fail. On that happy note, it's show time! Billy Bush goes on stage to introduce the wannabes, calling them the pupils of Grease Academy. The cast starts by performing an opening ensemble dance number, but the singing's where it's really at for this showcase. The first four ladies are up! Kate Rockwell, Juliana Hansen, Ashley Anderson, and Laura Osnes are singing “I'll Be There” by the Jackson Five. Laura starts things out. She's a pretty girl and sings nicely. Now Ashley sings. Will her nerves get to her? She hits the notes, but still seems a touch nervous to me. Kate belts out her part, but her voice isn't my favorite. Juliana glows as she sings, then the four the last bit together. Now Reed Prescott, Max Crumm, Derek Keeling, and Nathaniel Flatt are up. They sing “Crying” and Max is up first. He has a lovely, deep voice. He's slicked back his hair and looks a bit more Zuko. David notes that he's in character from the first second. Derek also has a powerful voice and looks a bit more like a Danny. Reed sings well, but his tone isn't my favorite. He stretches on the high notes. Nathaniel does the falsetto. Then the guys wrap it up together. Kelli La Valle, Alexandra Fashland, Sarah Darling, and Kathleen Monteleono sing “Complicated.” The judges have worried about Kelli's youth, but David says she's doing better than she has before. The next group, composed of Matt Nolan, Nick Dalton, George Pellegrino, and Chad Doreck, sing “Jailhouse Rock.” Matt starts it off, leaping for the mike. He sounds a touch rough to me, but he does have charisma. Kathleen says “there's something to discuss” with Matt. George sounds good, but Nick cracks a bit on a couple of his notes. Chad moves well during his turn and seems to eat up the spotlight. He makes Kathleen giggle. While they perform we see Barry Bostwick in the audience. Apparently, Barry was the original Danny on Broadway. I didn't know that! Jai Rodriguez from Queer Eye for the Straight Guy is also here. Well, he was on Singing with Celebrities anyway. Austin Miller, Kevin Greene, Jason Celaya, and Steve Calakos are next. All the guys sound good, although I think Austin's stage presence stands out. Jason also performs well. They do a great job on “Don't Want to Miss a Thing,” by Aerosmith. From their reaction, the audience loves it. Offstage, Maxx Crumm whispers to the camera that, in a month, Jason will be in a boy band. I'm not sure if that was a diss or not. The final four Sandys are up now. They're singing Cyndi Lauper's “True Colors.” Ashley Spencer, Cara Hille, Lexi Rhoades, and Allie Schultz sing their hearts out on the ballad. The audience vigorously applauds their efforts. Now, it's time for our panel to select the final twelve contestants that will compete for YOUR VOTE next week! Whee! The remaining 24 wannabes wait while the panel deliberates. David thinks there are a few clear choices, but not six. Before we know it, Billy Bush is calling Sandys onto the stage. He starts by calling Kelli La Valle and Allie Schultz. Meanwhile, we see some of the panel's deliberations where Kathleen says she thinks one of them “isn't ready yet.” David notes they loved her “girl off the street” quality. It sounds like they're talking about Kelli. Kathleen notes the lack of acting chops and “emotional depth” compared to some of the others. Back on stage, Billy tells Kelli she's... not Sandy. Kelli smiles, but runs off stage and cries to Denise. Now the panel discusses Allie. Kathleen says she blossomed today and she makes the final 12! George Pellegrino and Jason Celaya are up next. So it looks like all three T-Birds won't make it to the final twelve. Billy quickly tells George he's... not Danny. But Jason's going on to the final 12! He bows with relief. Lexi Rhoades and Sarah Darling are now up. Lexi is... not Sandy, and Sarah... is not Sandy either. Sneaky! Nick Dalton and Reed Prescott now face the music as Billy tells Nick he's... not Danny. And neither is Reed. Alexandra Fashland and Kathleen Monteleono step up to learn their fate. Alexandra is... not Sandy, but Kathleen is going on. The next pair is Steve Calakos and Derek Keeling. Steve is... not Danny, but Derek is going on to the live shows! The next pair is made up of Kate Rockwell and Laura Osnes. Kate is going on and so is Laura. They're both thrilled. On to Chad Doreck (our remaining T-Bird trio member) and Nathaniel Flatt. Chad makes the next round, but Nathaniel doesn't cut it. Now there are only two slots remaining for girls in the next round. Juliana Hansen and Ashley Anderson are next to hear their fates. Juliana voices over that she's come so far as a performer while auditioning here, and apparently it's enough, because Juliana makes the next round. As Ashley (and the remaining two girls) await Billy's pronouncement, we cut back to the deliberation room. Kathleen says she “has a vulnerability” but she's tentative. David notes that Jim loves her look for Sandy (she's very peaches-and-cream, cotton candy pretty). Jim says he looks as he envisions Sandy. But despite that, Ashley does not go through. Her nerves were just too much. They let her down one too many times. Ashley cries a bit as she talks to Denise off stage. She says she's fine, but she looks miserable. Back on stage, Kevin Greene and Austin Miller await the news. Kevin gets through to the next round, as does Austin! I would have been shocked if Austin hadn't made it. There is only one spot remaining for a Sandy in the next room. The only girls left are best friends Cara Hille and Ashley Spencer. David says she barely got through the last round, but did well in the sing-off. But she was very focused in her performance on stage. I think they'll pick Ashley... and I'm right. Ashley's in and Cara's out. Cara says she feels like she let everyone down. Aw! Poor girl. There's only one place left in the next round. It's going to go to either Maxx Crumm or our jock, Matt Nolan. There's no question Max is the more polished performer, but Matt's look is a lot better for Danny. The judges had a tough time picking between the two. David and Kathleen agree that Matt has good talent and instincts, but he's green. David and Kathleen think Max is the most talented guy there, but can he really pull off Zuko? Matt says that he wants to be Danny. He wants to win it. Max says he wants it more than anything. Billy pauses and then tells Matt he's... not Danny. Talent wins out and Max gets the final spot. Matt wanders off stage and cries like a child to Denise. He's obviously devastated. So, that's it! We have out twelve finalists. And they are: Austin Miller Max Crumm Chad Doreck Derek Keeling Jason Celaya Kevin Greene Ashley Spencer Juliana Hansen Kathleen Monteleono Allie Schultz Kate Rockwell Laura Osnes Next week, the show will be two hours and air early – at 7:00 pm Eastern time. Olivia Newton-John will guest judge. The teaser ends with an odd twist, saying that the finalists THINK they're the twelve finalists... but are they? Who knows whether this means they'll be bringing in a couple more contestants or what? Since NBC picked up two additional episodes of the series, that would make sense. I guess we'll have to wait and see! Get ready to vote! I think it will be interesting to see whether the audience goes for sheer talent and skill or wants to take an underdog along. Will Austin's competence and lack of awe at the process keep him from being an audience favorite? Will Juliana's obvious glee win her the role of Sandy? Stay tuned!

View Full Version: Episode 3 – Grease Academy or Deathstalker High?