Billy Porter Reflects on His Unfavorable Experience Starring in Grease

The Tony-winning actor opens up about his reservations and frustrations with the iconic musical.

Billy Porter, renowned for his candidness, has recently shared his memories of starring in the revival of the musical Grease. Despite earning his third Broadway credit for his role as Teen Angel, Porter admits that he never wanted to be a part of the show. In an interview with Vulture, the actor expressed his dislike for Grease, reflecting on how the production turned him into a clown and hindered his career for years.

A Reluctant Role in a Revival

Porter joined the revival of Grease in 1994, taking on the role of Teen Angel, known for the show-stopping number “Beauty School Dropout.” However, he confesses that he had reservations about being a part of the production from the start. Grease, the rock musical set in the 1950s, originally ran on Broadway from 1972 to 1980. The revival, featuring Ricky Paull Goldin and Susan Wood as the leading roles, cast Porter as the scene-stealing Teen Angel.

A Clownish Transformation

Porter recalls how the revival version of Grease transformed his character into a clown-like figure. Dressed in a white spacesuit, with 14 inches of orange rubber hair and glitter covering his face, Porter felt that the production did not do justice to the original angelic character. During auditions, while others had specific roles to read for, Porter was simply called in, given the freedom to interpret the song as he pleased. He took the opportunity to arrange his own “Blackity-Black-Black” version of “Beauty School Dropout,” expecting it to be poorly received. To his surprise, the production team loved his rendition.

Career Setback and Stereotyping

Porter reveals that his portrayal of the eccentric Teen Angel had unintended consequences for his career. He believes that audiences’ perception of him in that role pigeonholed him as a flamboyant gay man, perpetuating stereotypes. The visual of his character, combined with his identity as a gay Black man, hindered his progress as a serious actor. Porter, who had studied drama at Carnegie Mellon University, felt frustrated that he was reduced to a clown-like figure because it was easy for others to label him as such.

A Return to Serious Acting

It wasn’t until Porter was cast in the role of Belize in the 20th anniversary production of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America in 2010 that he was able to reclaim his status as a serious actor. This role allowed him to showcase his talent and break free from the limitations imposed by his previous portrayal in Grease. Porter emphasizes that he trained like other respected actors, such as Meryl Streep and Viola Davis, and resented being typecast based on his appearance and vocal range.

Conclusion: Billy Porter’s reflections on his experience in Grease shed light on the challenges faced by actors who are often pigeonholed into certain roles based on their appearance, identity, or previous performances. Porter’s journey to reclaim his status as a serious actor serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and challenging stereotypes in the entertainment industry. As he continues to pursue diverse and meaningful roles, Porter’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring actors who strive to break free from limiting expectations.


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