Not so sure I want it after all

So, as promised, I'm completing my thoughts about the first episode of Grease: You're The One That I Want. The last half hour that I finally saw last night was a big let down after the first hour. In my last post, I mentioned that there was one contestant that I loved. That contestant was Rebecca Cuts, the pharmaceutical sales rep. She had a gorgeous voice and was the only one that I felt actually connected with the lyrics as she sang them. Too many of the girls tried to be Idina Menzel and since they're not, they ended up screaching out their songs and failing to make an emotional connection. Unfortunately, Rebecca's last name proved too apt, and in true American Idol/America's Next Top Model/Tony Awards fashion, being the best was enough to ensure that she wouldn't get any further, and she was cut after the dance auditions. Seeing as how none of the other contestants really grabbed my attention, there isn't much incentive to keep watching. However, I think Max Crumb (the slacker who was asked to make himself over) has some potential, although he may not be ready for Broadway just yet. I do still think Patricia (the tap-dancing cupcake) should have made it through with an eye on re-casting Danny's role as a lesbian. She was by far more talented than any of the guys that were shown. Speaking of showing contestants, was it just me, or was more time spent showing contestants that ultimately got kicked off than on contestants that made it through? I don't see how the producers expect us to get invested in the show if the only people we're allowed to bond with get cut right off the bat, a la Rebecca. I think that's what's contributing to my feelings of let-down after watching the end of the episode. I don't really have a reason to watch again. However, there is one more city to audition, so there's a possibility that we'll get some true talent there to root for, and once we see the ones who actually make it to Grease Academy and then make it to the final round we should have some people to get invested in. BTW, the contestant that made me wonder if she was really Martin Short trying out a new persona was the second contestant, Robin Rosenswag (not sure if I'm spelling it right but that's how it was pronounced), the one who was hard of hearing but still thought she had what it took to be Sandy. That's the kind of oblivious character Short excels at, and she did kind of look like him in a costume. I still think they should consider casting Sandy as a drag queen if they're not going to cast Danny as a lesbian. However, when the auditions got to Chicago, the producers apparently decided to go for another unusual twist by casting Danny as a pedophile. Seriously, what's up with that Dominick guy? He looks older than even John Travolta did in the movie. Just imagine if they cast him with Ashley or Carrie, the ick factor would be through the roof. Lastly, did the producers learn nothing from American Idol's attempts to cast in Chicago? Chicago has never yielded gold for Idol, Jennifer Hudson notwithstanding (and don't get me started on her again). The only other major contestant to come out of Chicago was season 1's Jim Verraros, and is that really want they want to emulate? Part of the problem is that Chicago has such a solid local theatre and music scene that anyone with any talent already has plenty of opportunities. The unsigned population has been pretty picked over. They would have been better off casting in Topeka or Minneapolis. Hopefully New York yields better results. Only time will tell. Hopefully, the producers will allow us to get to see talent that makes it through and give people a reason to watch the show. The more people that tune in and see attractive, talented people trying their hardest to get to Broadway, the cooler Broadway will be. Until next week, Happy theatre!