Driving past the marquee at the Civic Theatre, the name Taylor Hicks under the heading "Grease" grabs my attention. I know that name.
It wasn't so long ago that Americans were rooting for Hicks as one of the finalists in Season 5 of "American Idol." Hicks beat out Katharine McPhee for the coveted title.
Fast forward to March 2009 in San Diego where Hicks is playing two roles. One as "Teen Angel" in the production of "Grease" March 3-8 for Broadway/San Diego. The other has Hicks playing himself at the Belly Up in Solana Beach. March 5, promoting his new CD "The Distance."
For Hicks fans, the infamous Soul Patrol, they can get a 2-fer. For the singer himself, the dual tour allows him to get comfortable with musical theater while at the same time promoting his solo project. In fact, fans of "Grease" will get to hear Hicks perform the first single from his new CD "What's Right is Right" after each performance.
"Audiences will experience me in the Teen Angel role for 30 minutes, then 30 minutes later experience me as me," he told the North County Times. "It's a one-two punch. It will appeal to fans both old and new. It's a soulful song, one of those ones that sticks with you."
See Hicks in "Grease." Tickets $18-$84. Call (619) 570-1100. For information on his Belly Up appearance - tickets $35 in advance, $37 day of show - call (858) 481-8140.
