Lee McKusick

My vacation time is starting to wind down, and the trip back to Rochester is fast approaching. I’ve had fun over the past two weeks; it’s been a blast seeing everyone again, and hanging out with my friends and family. Thanksgiving was great too; can’t go wrong with five pies. “Would you like a piece of pie?” (Props to anyone outside my immediate family who knows what that’s from.)

Anyway, last night two of my closest female friends forced me (completely and utterly against my will, of course =P ) to watch Grease because I’d never seen it before. And I’m still wondering whether I wasn’t better off. I mean, sure, there’s something to be said for Greased Lightning (the car, not the song) and even Olivia Newton-John’s black spandex (Please make note that I am not advocating for women actually wearing such garb.), but Frankie Avalon descending from the heavens to sing things like “Beauty school dropout, Missed your mid-terms and flunked shampoo” to a pink haired Didi Conn is a bit much.

And could John Travlota get any more gay? Oh wait. Hairspray.

Anyway, after that was Singin’ in the Rain, which was SO much better! Gene Kelly was great, and Donald O’Connor…absolutely hilarious! True talent of the kind rarely seen in Hollywood anymore. I can definitely see why it’s at the top of the list of AFI’s Top 100 Musicals, and fifth in their list of great American films.

I’m singing in the rain, just singing in the rain. What a glorious feelin’, I’m happy again. I’m laughing at clouds, so dark up above. The sun’s in my heart, and I’m ready for love.Let the stormy clouds chase everyone from the place. Come on with the rain, I’ve a smile on my face. I walk down the lane with a happy refrain, just singin’, singin’ in the rain…