Well, once I did 'Grease,' everyone was offering me studio pictures in a similar vein - you know, popcorn movie.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
To me the thing with 'Grease' was that it was the first movie that as a kid I wanted to get up and do what they were doing.
'Grease' was how I learned that I really liked music and musicals and movies that included music.
I took 'Grease' to play my trump card, my voice, and get attention that would lead to auditions for serious work like 'Angels in America.' But I backed myself into a corner with 'Grease,' and it took me 17 years to get out.
I grew up watching 'Grease,' and 'Grease 2.' I fantasized about walking through school halls and busting out in a song. At that time, I was too much of a chicken to do so. I'd love the challenge now.
I let the whole 'Grease' experience be a springboard for me. I wanted to use the exposure I got from that very wisely to continue a successful career. It's taken a lot of work and perseverance.
I had grown up thinking of movies as something to eat popcorn with. Bergman and the other European directors were the first ones to open my eyes to film as art.
I didn't have any ambition to produce big mainstream popcorn movies.
I did sing in another film called 'Empire Records' which is a cult film. 'Grease 2' is also a cult film. You either love it or just think the original was better.
When 'The Sound of Music' aired live on NBC, 18 million people were talking about theater the next day. That's incredible. 'Grease' felt like a chance for me to participate in that landscape.
'Grease' is an awesome movie. I wish they'd make a new one, more for our time. The graphics are terrible when you look back on it.