Grease Academy of Music Philly 7/15/09

[THawks]

I took my daughter Ava to see Grease last night. Here we are before we left:

We met friends for dinner at a great Italian place called Buca di Beppo on 15th before the show:

I have seen the show twice before so it was exactly the same for me except the end which we know has changed a little for the better, but I was happy to see Ava so captivated by what she was seeing. She was also fascinated by the sign language interpreters which we had a clear view of to our left. I kept looking over to see if hip thrust really translates into hip thrust. The whole cast is incredibly talented, loved watching them dance. Besides Taylor, Kenicke & Rizzo are my faves. Rizzo can SANG.
So by intermission, someone officially became a member of the Pink Ladies:

Of course Beauty School Drop-out was great with Tay cheesing it up and Frenchie giving his lower cheeks a little squeeze and saying she voted for him. The harp was brief but satisfying.

[THawks]

He did a great job on the finale and I noticed he bolted and wasn't going to screw up the hand jive this time.
He came back out singing Seven Mile Breakdown which happens to be my fave on the album and the best choice IMO.


So after the show, people are spilling into the lobby and being all kinds of pushy and rude. Poor Ava is a little overwhelmed by all of this but she stands in line and I am not far but I am trying to make my way thru the overly excited "adult women" to get a pic of my daughter so I am a little distance from her.
Then she gets to Taylor.

Hellloooo Ava.

How do you spell Ava???? Just kidding!!

[THawks]

Taylor hammin it up.

Extreme close-up.
Then he signed a bear for my daughter Addison:

AND posed briefly for a pic with Ava.

[THawks]

We stepped outside and waited for our friends who had kids standing in line to meet Taylor.

This part of the night was very unfortunate. Apparently the kids stood in line and were turned away because they wanted their programs signed and he is now only signing his merchandise???
I felt so bad and wish I knew this in advance. It was heartbreaking to see the look on their faces. I had to say something to the "manager looking guy" with the headset on because I felt really bad. My daughter was armed with Taylor goodies because I am a huge fan but I had no idea this would happen. The manager was a great guy and listened to me. He said Taylor told him he wanted to know if there were any problems so he said he would get Taylor to sign programs and mail them to my friends house. It was very disappointing for them to say the least.

[THawks]

I hated that part of the night, UUGHHH. Taylor is a great guy and I know they will be getting something in the mail but if anyone else intends to bring kids, now you know.
Ava had a blast and it was a great night out for us. I will end with a pic of a possible future broadway star but definately one HAPPY kid.

[SegerHicks]

Trish,
I enjoyed your recap and picture story!! You have some awesome pics of Taylor with Ava....perfect!!!
It's great that she enjoyed Grease so much!

Regarding the programs...I would feel awful if I saw disappointed children there but I kind of understand that he must limit what he signs, otherwise he'd be there all night....he usually signs programs by the stage door. Does he not appear at the stage door anymore with this new lobby mayhem??

[TayBea]

Loved your recap and awesome pics. How great that your girls got to see him like that!

[THawks]

I get it Seger, I just felt bad because the kids didn't know he would be signing in the lobby after the show and I kind of prepped them for it not knowing beforehand. I actually don't know if he still does the stage door. It was like a zoo in the lobby and I guess it is a way to try and control the mayhem and also push his merchandise sales. It's all good.

[LISA]

Great pictures Thawks and your daughters are sooo cute what lucky little girls. I think Taylors asking Ava whats your mommy's name. you wish anyway looks like you all have a fun filled time. My daughter saw them and she wishes she could go see Grease and get one of those tee-shirts like Addisons and Ava's. Thanks for sharing.

[THawks]

Thanks Lisa but Ava was the only one that is my daughter. My other daughters aren't old enough to sit thru it & at some points I think it was prob even too racy for Ava. She loved it and I am hoping I didn't corrupt her ya know with all the smoking and sex talk. I also left her in a crowd of raging women trying to get at Taylor so I could get a better angle for the pictures! I guess I'm not going to get mom of the year again this year. The other kids belonged to my friends.