Taylor Hicks adds whomp to the eclectic list of genres boasted by Martyr’s in Chicago as he plays an after-Grease show. The Chicago venue feels like a neighborhood club, but offers music from Celtic to Rock, Folk to Funk and World Music. Taylor takes modern whomp downtown January 17, for a 10 p.m. show after his Grease performance at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre. Tickets are on sale at   TICKETMASTER

Grease takes off like Greased Lightning!
As Broadway prepares to turn off the lights after 554 performances of the revival of Grease, the national tour lights up the stage in Providence RI to big crowds and rave reviews. Taylor and Frenchie are bringing down the house!

AP writer Jeff Christensen reported earlier this month that “…the new national tour, headlining American Idol winner Taylor Hicks, is doing well at its first stop in Providence. Lynn Singleton, president of PPAC, [Providence Performing Arts Center] said he expects the show to gross about $1.1 million this week, or about 10 percent better than Legally Blonde, which opened its national tour here in September.” (AP/Jeff Christensen)

              

Grease moved on to Michigan…
Theatre goers who have not necessarily seen Taylor Hicks entertain before are praising his Teen Angel performance. Lorabelle Willett, a Michigan blogger, especially appreciated his voice:

“The highlight of the show was Taylor Hicks, who played Teen Angel. He was perfect in that role. ...We see so many shows, and the actors are always so talented. They sing and dance and act, and they do it night after night after night. It's amazing. But I have to say, when Taylor Hicks sang, it was a world of difference between his voice and the voices of the other actors. Taylor is a SINGER. That was clear. The tone of his voice was so different than the rest. It blew everyone away.” (Willett Matters blog)

Frenchie brings down the Grease house!
As Taylor sings "Beauty School Dropout" to high school dropout, Frenchie, she is totally enamored with her Teen Angel and edges up to him. In a show-stopping moment, reality sneaks in as she makes reference to the real Taylor Hicks when millions voted for him and he won the 2006 American Idol competition. She swoons, “I voted for you.”

TTHC’s own Gypsee attended a show this week in East Lansing:
“To say Taylor Hicks stole the show is an understatement. The audience was appreciative and responsive to the entire play, but in a somewhat refined manner. When that ice cream cone opened, all bets were off! They LOVED him and rightfully so. Taylor has this role polished to perfection, yet he never loses that genuine audience connection and charm. And when Frenchie turned to him and said "I Voted For You," it brought the house down!" (Gypsee, TTHCblogspot.com) For fan recaps and legal photos, visit TTHC message and media boards.