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Teen Angel is still an 'Idol'

Associated Press file photo

With former "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks in the role of Teen Angel, the character gets top billing in the production of "Grease" opening Tuesday at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

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By WALT BELCHER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 17, 2009

TAMPA - The role of Teen Angel in "Grease" has always been a one-song gig.

In the 1978 film version, Frankie Avalon, a teen idol from the 1960s, defined the role when he showed up all dreamy in white to sing "Beauty School Dropout" to the loopy Frenchy.

But with former "American Idol" winner Taylor Hicks in the role, the Teen Angel character gets top billing in the production of "Grease" opening Tuesday at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center.

"This angel plays the harmonica and does a little more than Frankie Avalon did," says Hicks, who sings his current pop single, "Seven Mile Breakdown," during the show's final scenes.

"I found a really great way to introduce my song and have people see me in a different light," he said in a recent phone interview.

"I am very different from the Frankie Avalon version," he adds. "I have made the role my own. I think it's a cutting-edge way to introduce a new song."

He performs a medley of "Grease" songs and "Seven Mile Breakdown" during encores.

The new song is from his second post-"Idol" album, "The Distance." It was released by his label, Modern Whomp Records, which launched in January.

The singer says it was a mutual decision to part ways last year with Arista Records and he is happy with his career so far.

"I feel very lucky at this point to have 100 percent control of my music," he says.

Hicks joined "Grease" on Broadway in 2008 and has been touring with a road company. "I've enjoyed it because I get to sing and also I'm exploring acting," he says. He says future acting roles and hosting duties could be in his future.

"It's been a new experience for me, a reinvention and a kind of a comeback," Hicks says. He's committed to "Grease" through June 2010.

"I'm not giving up playing my music," he says. "I talked to Huey Lewis about going back and forth between acting and music. I'm still learning about this wonderful new aspect to my career."

The 32-year-old gray-haired winner of "Idol's" fifth season won over millions of viewers with his laid-back, down-home charm.

His debut album after "American Idol" went platinum and his memoir, "Heart Full of Soul," was published in 2007.

However, Hicks hasn't had the same concert success as other "Idol" winners, such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. His roots are in blues and Southern rock, which has more niche appeal.

His "Soul Patrol" fans come out to see him in the musical. "And I am picking up new fans from people who are coming to see 'Grease,'" he says.

He says the musical, set in the 1950s, suits him. "It's a timeless love story that remains appealing to this day," he says. "Everybody can relate to it."

Hicks, who is from Alabama, says he doesn't have a permanent address. "I have been on the road since I was 17," he says. "I just keep moving, living wherever I am performing."

'GREASE'

WHEN: Tuesday through Aug. 23; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa

TICKETS: $38.50 to $72.50

CALL: (813) 229-7827

Reporter Walt Belcher can be reached at (813) 259-7654.

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