There comes a time in many of our lives when we stop pretending
and accept what we are and what we’ll always be. Luckily for
Frankie Avalon, that’s a teen idol.
The original Teen Angel in the 1978 film “Grease” is
donning the white pantsuit again, playing Frenchy’s
heartthrob in the touring production of the musical, which will be
at the Kodak Theater through Jan. 12.
Avalon is singing his “Grease” signature song
“Beauty School Dropout,” as well as sticking around
after the play to make middle-aged women swoon with some of his own
hits from yesteryear including “Venus,”
“Why” and “Beach Blanket Bingo.” Even at
62, this grandfather of eight still has the moves.
“It’s a little reaching at this age, but it’s
a lot of fun,” Avalon said. “Not only for me to bring
back the memories but for the people out there who were there
during the ’50s and ’60s … they’re reminiscing
along, I don’t care how old they are, they’re there
because they’ve seen the picture, they love the story, they
love the music and I’m part of that movie.”
The role of Teen Angel in the 1978 film was in essence a spoof
on Avalon’s own persona as a teen idol in the ’50s.
Avalon got his start playing the trumpet in local talent shows
before he broke onto the popular scene, making a 1954 appearance on
the “Jackie Gleason Show” and on “American
Bandstand” in 1957.
“That was a great time in my life,” he said.
“It was living life to the fullest. I was able to still date
and go out, not like the (teen idols) today, constantly with the
paparazzi. It was a whole different world in those days. It was a
lot easier and simple; people gave you your space and allowed you
to do things.”
After the ’50s, Avalon’s popularity as a dreamboat
crooner began to wane, which made him turn to film, acting in
“Guns of the Timberland” with Alan Ladd and “The
Alamo” with John Wayne. But it was the beach party movies of
the 1960s like “Beach Party,” “Muscle Beach
Party” and “Beach Blanket Bingo” with their campy
songs and cheesy group dance numbers that maintained Avalon’s
status as a dreamy teen superstar.
Many stars pigeonholed into a specific image eventually try to
break out into more artistic, important works like the wacky,
rubber-faced Jim Carrey who made a career change into more serious
roles as in “The Truman Show” and “Man on the
Moon,” but Avalon has done no such thing.
In fact, Avalon kept his sense of humor about his film image as
the beach party stud when he produced and starred as the Big Kahuna
in the 1987 spoof “Back to the Beach” alongside his
leading beach beauty Annette Funicello. In his other recent film
appearances, including Martin Scorsese’s
“Casino,” he has played himself.
“I think at one point I wanted to do other things,”
Avalon said. “But when you’re labeled and tagged, you
kind of stay in that one genre. Through the years, I’ve
finally realized that it was very fortunate for me to have had the
opportunity to do those things.”
And his secret behind keeping the hearts of America
pitter-pattering even though he can get a senior citizens’
discount at Denny’s?
“I’ve been taking herbs for the last 40 years,
before it was even fashionable,” he said.
Avalon started a company 12 years ago selling a line of Frankie
Avalon Products, such as ginseng herbs to wannabe teen idols.
While Avalon may not be starring in any Roman Polanski films any
time soon, he keeps in a niche he knows and loves: singing. Aside
from touring with “Grease,” Avalon performs frequently
in Las Vegas and other casinos across the country and has tentative
plans for another record.
“I’m very satisfied with what I’m doing now;
I’m not looking for utopia anymore,” he said. “At
this point in my life, I’m not looking to upset the world; I
just want to have fun.”
Grease is playing at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood through Jan.
12. Tickets are $20-$75, (323) 308-6363.