(UMe) The producers of the smash hit Broadway production of GREASE are proud to announce that "American Idol" Season Five finalist, Ace Young, will make his Broadway debut when he joins the company in the role of "Kenickie" on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre.Ace Young achieved widespread fame in 2006 as a finalist on the hugely successful FOX singing competition "American Idol." With weekly exposure to the 40 million plus viewers of America's most widely watched television program, Ace quickly became one of the most recognizable male faces ever to appear on "Idol."
A native of Denver, Colorado, he began his career in the entertainment industry at the early age of nine performing at various venues all over the west coast. Following "Idol," Ace traveled the country performing in 60 sold out arenas across the nation as part of the "American Idols Live Tour." He has played guest starring roles on the popular television sitcoms "Half & Half" and "Bones." In 2007, Ace was nominated for a Grammy Award for his co-write on fellow "Idol" Chris Daughtry's quadruple platinum hit single "It's Not Over."
In April 2008, Ace released a popular single entitled "Addicted," available in stores, on ITunes and Amazon. He recently formed a partnership with renowned record producer and songwriter Desmond Child, and together they cowrote, recorded and funded Ace's eponymous debut album – a revolutionary combination of Rock, R&B and Funk which utilizes a 30 piece string section with live horns. The eagerly anticipated album was released on the Pazzo Music/Fontana label on July 15, 2008.
"American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks, who joined the cast in the role of "Teen Angel" on Friday, June 6th, will play his final two weeks in the show with a final performance on Sunday, September 7th.
GREASE opened on Broadway at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 West 47th Street) on Sunday, August 19, 2007 following preview performances which began on Tuesday, July 24, 2007. Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award-winner Kathleen Marshall (The Pajama Game, Wonderful Town), GREASE features book, music and lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey.
In addition to Ace Young as "Kenickie," GREASE also stars "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks as "Teen Angel" (through September 7), NBC's "Grease: You're the One That I Want" finalists Derek Keeling as "Danny" and Ashley Spencer as "Sandy" along with Ryan Patrick Binder as "Doody," Susan Blommaert as "Miss Lynch," Will Blum as "Roger," Jeb Brown as "Vince," Janine DiVita as "Rizzo," Allison Fischer as "Patty," Robyn Hurder as "Marty," Lindsay Mendez as "Jan," Jose Restrepo as "Sonny," Jamison Scott as "Eugene" and Kirsten Wyatt as "Frenchy." The ensemble of GREASE features Ashley Arcement, Brian Crum, Natalie Hill ("Cha-Cha"), Keven Quillon, Josh Rouah, Allie Schulz, Brian Sears, Christina Sivrich, Amber Stone, Anna Aimee White.
