=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= B E T W E E N T H E L I N E S [tm] Volume 6, Issue 2 - April 8, 1994 DDDDD D D D D GGGG D D G DDDDD G GGG G G GGGG A Debbie Gibson Discussion Forum =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= CONTENTS =- ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES INTRO BY SHAWN FEENEY - Shawn Feeney CONTINUAL THREATS AT DEB - Chris Foote GREASE CD REVIEW - Mark Dudley DEBBIE GIBSON ON "THIS MORNING" - Graeme Lyall JEFF THARP'S TRIP TO LONDON - Jeff Tharp ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM LONDON - Dominic Thomas THOSE LONDON MEMORIES - Tammie Ekkelboom DEBWATCH CLOSING REMARKS =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DISCLAIMER =- This forum does not necessarily reflect the views of Deborah Ann Gibson, Gibson Management Inc. (GMI), the Atlantic Recording Corporation, Electronic Music Industries, or any organizations to which members belong or represent. Opinions expressed in Between the Lines are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the entire forum. All lyrics by Debbie Gibson are copyrighted by Deborah Ann's Music, ASCAP or Possibilities Publishing, Inc./EMI April Music, Inc., ASCAP. Between the Lines operates on a non-profit basis. Distribution is permissible only under the condition that no part of it will be used for profit. "Between the Lines" and "BtL" are trademarks of Between the Lines. Copyright 1994, Between the Lines. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES =- Information regarding submissions via e-mail, the supplemental "bouncing" mailing list, using Telnet to talk to other BtL members in real time, and obtaining GIFs and BtL back issues via anonymous FTP will now be sent to members upon joining the BtL mailing list. You may request this information from any of the BtL moderators listed below. Complete information will be included in the administrative notes twice a year. To submit articles by postal mail, please proofread and send them to the postal address listed below. Submissions should be typed or written legibly. To submit articles by FAX, please call (604) 322-5936. We reserve the right to edit, defer, or reject submissions without notice. Submissions become the property of BtL. BETWEEN THE LINES c/o Felix Ng 2137 Qualicum Drive Vancouver, B.C. V5P 2M3 CANADA For those of you who do not have access to electronic mail, you may subscribe via postal mail. Issues are printed with a bubblejet printer which allows six pages of text to be printed on both sides of one sheet of paper. Back issues are also available on one MS-DOS 3.5" or 5.25" high density disk (please specify disk format when ordering). Prices are at cost and are subject to change: Canada $3.25 Cdn. for 5 issues / $2.75 Cdn. for back issues on disk United States $3.25 U.S. for 5 issues / $2.75 U.S. for back issues on disk International 3 IRCs for 2 issues / 7 IRCs for back issues on disk Please make a cheque or money order payable to Felix Ng and mail it to the postal address mentioned above. We are not responsible for cash lost or stolen in the mail. Issues are always mailed via first class. -= BtL moderators =- Myra Wong : mkwong@scf.nmsu.edu mkwong@ucsd.bitnet Felix Ng : fng@acca.nmsu.edu 1:153/915 on Fidonet =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= INTRO BY SHAWN FEENEY =- Shawn Feeney - Yorba Linda, California March 14, 1994 Hi! I guess I should start off by introducing myself. My name is Shawn Feeney. I'm a 17 year old guy from Yorba Linda, California, which is a city located in Orange County. I have been a fan of Deborah Gibson for almost _7_ years now! It all started the first time I heard "Only In My Dreams" on the radio back in 1987. I rushed right out and bought the single. Then I waited for what seemed like forever for an album. I'll never forget...I had just come back from vacation, and I just happened to be in the local record store. I asked if Debbie Gibson had released an album yet. Much to my surprise, they had just got _Out of the Blue_ in _that day_!! I was thrilled! I fell in love with every song on the album. In the summer of 1988, I finally got to see Deb in concert - she was great! Then I waited what seemed like forever, again, for the release of Debbie's second album. In January of 1989 I finally heard "Lost In Your Eyes" on the radio. Shortly after, _Electric Youth_ was released. Again, I loved every song on the album. Eventually, _Anything Is Possible_ was released. Deb's popularity was fading, but I still remained a loyal fan. In the summer of 1991, I'll never forget opening the newspaper, and finding an ad for the One Step Ahead tour; Debbie was going to perform at a small theatre right by my house. I was so excited! I got _front row_ seats to that show, and it was the best concert of Debbie's ever! Flash forward to May of 1992. Debbie's first three albums remained at the top of my favorite list, but was she ever going to record another?! I was going through TV Guide, and I saw that Debbie was going to be at Disneyland appearing in a telethon; I had to go! This was my one chance to make my dream come true and finally get to meet the one who had been my idol for so long. On May 31, 1992, that dream came true. I dragged my friends to Disneyland for the day, and that evening, we watched Deborah perform "On My Own" and "Anything Is Possible." The odds of me getting to meet her faded as the evening progressed, but then a miracle happened. Debbie was standing in a "backstage" area and some of her fans saw her. Then they all started yelling, "Debbie, we love you!" and she came over to them. I rushed over, and joined the crowd. I had been carrying my picture and pen all day, and I was going to put it to use! Deb signed my picture and said hello to me. She really is as nice as everyone says she is. She took the time to come over and meet her fans, something she did not have to do. One day at school in December 1993, all day I had people coming up to me and saying, "Your precious Debbie Gibson is going to be on 'Hard Copy' (a tabloid television show in the U.S.) tonight...she is a stripper now." I eventually found out they were talking about the "Losin' Myself" video. Like I had done with every other album, I purchased _Body Mind Soul_ the day of its release: January 19, 1993. I had waited for so long to hear the song "Losin' Myself," since I had only heard some of it on television, and to this day, it is the best song Deborah has ever recorded! Although I love every album, _Body Mind Soul_ is my favorite. My favorite Deb songs are, of course, "Losin' Myself," "Love Or Money," "Kisses 4 One," "Goodbye," "Deep Down," "Mood Swings," "Where Have You Been?," "Lost In Your Eyes," "Who Loves Ya Baby?," "No More Rhyme," "Only In My Dreams," "Out Of The Blue," "Foolish Beat," and "Without You," to name a few. I collect just about anything I can find that somehow has to do with Deb. I have many import CD singles, all of her cassette singles, 12" singles, posters, calendars, a few promotional items, and of course all of Deb's CD's (including the Grease soundtrack). I have been a loyal member of D.G.I.F. since 1989. Other than Debbie, my favorite singers are Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. I wish Deborah the very best of luck with her "new start" at SBK Records, and with every future project she attempts. As far as I'm concerned, Deborah will always be "Red Hot." Here's to a positively "electric" future! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= CONTINUAL THREATS AT DEB =- Chris Foote - London, England (shufoote@reading.ac.uk) March 7, 1994 After reports of harassment that Deb received last year, we all hoped that they had ceased, and Deb could return back to a "normal" life. Unfortunately, this seems not to be the case according an article which was run in THE DAILY MIRROR (a British national newspaper). Entitled "Debbie's Death Threat Terror" the article read: Beautiful Grease star Debbie Gibson travels everywhere with a personal bodyguard after being plagued by death threats. The American singer says the threats have left her so scared that she never goes out on her own. Debbie told me: "I get death threats all the time. I think the reason it happens is because my image is so wholesome. "Obviously that appeals to perverts. They want to corrupt me and if their fantasies of corruption aren't being fulfilled then they are transformed into wanting to kill me, it's very weird." "I do get harrassed by men constantly. There are people that hang around the Grease stage door all the time. Of course many of them are innocent fans but you can never be too careful. "That is why I employ security people to advise me. It is better to be safe than sorry." Last year when she began as Sandra Dee in Grease, the role made famous by Olivia Newton-John, she was plagued by a pervert who sent her pornographic photographs and letters trying to kill her within 48 hours. A 20-year-old man was later arrested in Leicester. Three years ago she was stalked by American Richard Pelfrey, who sent her death threats and appeared at her home. But fresh-faced Debbie has not let these scares stop her from planning for the future. More than anything, the 22-year-old wants to start a family - by adopting. "There are a lot of unhappy children in the world without parents or a real home. I am in a position to help some of them and I will," she said. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= GREASE CD REVIEW =- Mark Dudley - Florida (nuclearw@aol.com) March 10, 1994 This is my review of the Grease CD, from the London Production. If you've never seen the movie "Grease," this disc will make you want to. If you have seen it, it will make you want to run down to the video store and rent it! The disc itself is pink, with black printing, and has the Grease logo in the upper right, to the left is the words "The Original London Cast Recording." The liner is the real treat here, a full 28 pages (counting front and back covers). It has all the words to all the songs. It's one of the few discs I have ever seen that even included all the "oohs," "ahhs," and "dip de dips!" It also features 13 photographs, 14 if you count the thumbprint size picture on the back cover. With 25 tracks totaling just over 55 minutes, here's the breakdown. TR Title Time Players 1 : Radio WAXX Jingle (0.22) 2 : Vince Fontaine (0.24) Vince Fontaine 3 : Sandy (Opening) (1.31) Danny & Sandy 4 : Grease (2.25) The Company 5 : Summer Nights (3.29) Danny, Sandy & Company 6 : Those Magic Changes (2.36) Doody & Guys 7 : Freddy My Love (1.40) Marty & The Pink Ladies 8 : Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee (1.27) Rizzo 9 : Greased Lighting (4.11) Kenickie & Company 10: Rydell Fight Song (0.57) Sandy, Patty & Girls 11: Mooning (2.17) Roger & Jan 12: We Go Together (3.56) The Company 13: Radio WAXX Jingle (0.09) 14: Vince Fontaine (0.25) Vince Fontaine 15: Shakin' At The High School Hop (1.43) The Company 16: It's Raining On Prom Night (2.18) Sandy & Donna Sue 17: Born To Hand Jive (3.05) Johnny Casino & Company 18: Hopelessly Devoted To You (2.54) Sandy 19: Beauty School Dropout (3.43) Teen Angel, Pink Ladies & Girls 20: Sandy (2.20) Danny 21: Rock 'n' Roll Party Queen (2.11) Doody & Roger 22: There Are Worse Things I Could Do (2.11) Rizzo 23: Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee (Reprise) (1.44) Sandy 24: You're The One That I Want (3.01) Danny, Sandy & Company 25: Finale (Medley) (4.25) The Company (a) We Go Together (b) Greased Lightnin' (c) Summer Nights (d) Rydell Fight Song (e) Born To Hand Jive (f) We Go Together The Players Danny ---------- Craig McLachlan Eugene ------ Aidan Treays Sandy ---------- Debbie Gibson Rizzo ------- Sally Ann Triplett Marty ---------- Charlotte Avery Barbara-Lou - Anna-Jane Casey Frenchy -------- Jo Bingham Doreen ------ Robin Cleaver Sonny ---------- Richard Calkin Toni -------- Amanda Courtney-Davies Johnny Casino -- Glenn Carter Ricky ------- Derek Joshua Cullen Doody ---------- John Combe Pete -------- James Davies Jan ------------ L'iz Ewing Junior ------ Simon Harper Roger ---------- Drew Jaymson Montgomery -- Daniel Hinchliffe Teen Angel ----- Andrew Kennedy Donna Sue --- Kim Leeson Vince Fontaine - Gary Martin Pam --------- Lucy Moorby Patty ---------- Tamzin Outhwaite Terry ------- Ben Richards Kenickie ------- Shane Richie Ginseppe ---- Sebastien Torkia Cha-Cha -------- Heather Robbins Kelly ------- Nikki Worrall Miss Lynch ----- Myra Sands Swings --------- Simon Coulthard, Janine Davies, Sue Eastwood, Steen Young Overall review: If you've seen "Grease" and liked it, you'll enjoy this disc. Although it is hard not to compare it to the movie tracks. If you haven't seen the movie, I'm a little split on it; you may or may not like the disc. I'd recommend seeing the movie first, so you'll at least have an idea of what is being sung. Surprises: I really thought I'd like "Hopelessly Devoted To You," since it was one of my favorites from the movie. As it turns out, I am leaning toward "It's Raining On Prom Night" as the top track, with "Mooning" and "Hopelessly Devoted To You" running for second. "Freddy My Love" is also well done, and I'd like to hear more from Charlotte Avery (Marty), as well as L'iz Ewing (Jan). Disappointments: My only real disappointment with this disc is "Greased Lightnin'." I don't remember this track in the movie, and I certainly don't remember the three "obscene" words in this song being in the movie. Adding insult to injury, at 4 minutes 11 seconds, it's entirely too long for what is being said (it's also the longest song on the disc), after about 2 minutes, you want to hit the skip button and move on. Additionally, the overall recording of the disc isn't up to what is expected from a studio cut. It sounds empty, like singing in a can. It even sounds a little like the Campfire Mix of "We Could Be Together" from the _Electric Youth_ CD. The vocal tracks are quite noticable from the musical tracks. It would seem that this was intentional since the disc was released, but it was a poor choice. KEY PLAYERS: Sandy (Deborah): The songs on this disc weren't much of a stretch vocally for Deborah, and I am sure much is lost in not having the visuals to go along with the music. The key here was that you are expecting Olivia Newton-John reincarnated in this song, and what you get is Debbie Gibson, _Body Mind Soul_ style. It could have easily been placed on BMS and fit right in. When singing the "spoken" words in "It's Raining On Prom Night," she sounds just like she did in the "Shake Your Love" audience participation piece from the _Live - In Concert - The Out Of The Blue Tour_ video. Danny (Craig McLachlan): On some songs, he sounds good, such as "You're The One That I Want." On others, his vocal limitations show, this probably was intentional as it would fit in with the T. Bird image of being a little rough around the edges. Marty (Charlotte Avery) and Jan (L'iz Ewing): If I had my way, we would be hearing more from these ladies. Rizzo (Sally Ann Triplett): "There Are Worse Things I Could Do," was a surprise. I really expected Rizzo to sing this a little rough, but it actually sounds good! Think Liza (Minelli) when you listen to this one. Closing, having liked Grease, I liked this disc, but as with the original soundtrack, most of the songs are "lost in the translation" of not having visuals. See the movie first. Now, if we can just get Grease to come to the States (with the London cast)... (In the event this review was edited for space, you can get the full text by calling 904-968-2824 _by modem_. You can also get back issues of BtL, as well as GIF's of Deborah.) =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBBIE GIBSON ON "THIS MORNING" =- Graeme Lyall - England (graeme@minerva.demon.co.uk) March 25, 1994 Deb was on the "This Morning" show today, talking about sex education and lots of other things. The sex education discussion was with a panel of guests and arose in light of a controversy in the U.K. over a school which reportedly had a classroom talk with 10 year olds on oral sex. Deb was introduced as having a virginal reputation, which made her smile, and as having kept her virginity to "quite a ripe age as these things go." Deb said she was a late bloomer. She was always taught not to take sex lightly. She said she knew a lot of people who were very promiscuous at a young age, who didn't know what they were doing or why. She was asked if she knew about sex as a child and replied that she had a very open relationship with her mother. Although she didn't remember ever having a big discussion, she gradually learnt it all from her mother. She was asked if she was a walking example of the proposition that the more information you have, the more you are able to make your own decisions, that it was her decision to keep her virginity to twenty-one or twenty-two. Deb replied, "Absolutely." Later in the show there was a feature on 50's fashion and Deb talked about how much she liked the look of that time - girls looking girlie, and guys looking tough. She was then asked about the Duchess of York bringing her children to see Grease - one of them had a fourth birthday, and was taken to the show as a treat. Deb said they had birthday cake and gingerbread cookies for the children after the show. She taught them the jive from the hop scene and they were dancing and throwing each other under each others legs, and twirling - they were cute. Then Deb was asked about her theatre career. One of the presenters seemed very well informed, and said that although she was described in the UK as an American pop singer when she got the part of "Sandy," in fact she had long theatre career. Deb agreed and said she had been appearing on stage since she was 5 years old. The other presenter then asked how it was that she was so well adjusted, that many child stars by Deb's age would be suffering from anorexia, drug abuse, or terrible emotional problems. Deb replied by quoting what she did last night. She got home late after the show and thought, "I have to go to sleep, I have to go to sleep", and this is how pop people and theatre people get hooked on drugs. But there she was taking her valerian root Quiet Night herbal tablets or something, and her mother was on the phone saying "Don't take too much stuff..." (laughed). She didn't even like to take aspirin; that's how far away from it she was. She was asked if her close relationship with her family helped, and she said yes. They wouldn't let her get out of line. She spoke to her mother every day, to her father every week, and regularly to her sisters. She said her parents taught her to value herself. Everything she had done was her choice - her parents gave her the information but she chose what she wanted to do. She thought that if you allow kids to make their own choices then quite often they make the right ones, but if you are sitting there going, "No, it's bad, it's taboo," they're going to go try it. She was asked about the stalker, and was it true or was it puffed up. She said it was true, but had been exaggerated. She said every performer had someone who was obsessed by them, or after them. Especially being young and female. It went with the territory. She was not a recluse. She took proper security measures when she needed to, but it wasn't true to say she was terrified or never left the house. She wasn't afraid, and took the view that when your number's up, your number's up. She talked briefly about leaving Grease - she was going home to record her new album. Sonia was taking over the role, but she hadn't met her yet. Deb ended the show with a beautiful live performance of "Hopelessly Devoted To You," just voice and piano. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= JEFF THARP'S TRIP TO LONDON =- Jeff Tharp - Indianapolis, Indiana March 12, 1994 Sunday, February 27 My vacation started with a bit of bitter disappointment when I arrived in London. My pen pal Anna King informed me that Deborah Gibson hurt her ankle on Monday, February 21, and that she had been out for the whole week. She missed the charity performances of Grease on Thursday. Debbie even had to cancel a special charity concert she had planned in London on that following Sunday. I began to feel sick. I was worried about Debbie and my chances of seeing her in Grease looked very slim. Monday, February 28 Anna King's mother phoned me at the hotel to tell me some information that would help me out. She simply explained to me that she called the Dominion Theatre to see if Deborah would be performing soon. A gentleman of the name Giles Shenton spoked with her. Giles is the stage door manager. He said that Deborah may or may not perform Wednesday night, but would be performing, 100% for sure, on Thursday night. Anna's mother told Giles that her daughter's pen pal from the United States is in town and has tickets to see Debbie Gibson in Grease this week. Giles became very interested in me. He asked if I could stop in Tuesday morning to meet him and have a letter for Deborah ready when I arrive. He said he would gladly help me out, if Deborah wasn't to perform, in maybe meeting her. Tuesday, March 1, Morning I begin my journey to the stage door to find several people enjoying the nice weather London was having at the moment. I asked to speak to a man by the name Giles; he happened to be the one I asked. I introduced myself. Giles said, "So you are the lad I've been expecting!" I told her about Anna's mother who talked to him the night before about me. Giles smiled and asked if I had a letter for Miss Gibson who would be by today to pick up her stuff. Giles said it's still a "maybe" for tomorrow night. So he asked to see my letter which went like this: Dear Deborah, I flew into London this week from the United States to see you perform in Grease. I'm very sad to learn you hurt your ankle and may not perform until Thursday night. We have tickets for Grease on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. We hope to see you in Grease before we leave Saturday. We wish you good health and luck. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. Hope you get better. Sincerely, Jeff Tharp from Indianapolis Indiana. Giles said he would get the letter to her and thanked me. He said to stop by tomorrow and he should know if Deb will be here or not tomorrow night. Wednesday, March 2 I knocked on the stage door at about 1:00 P.M. Smiling at me, Giles said that Deborah got the letter, and it was still a maybe. He gave me the Grease company number and told me to call around 5:00 P.M. They should know by then. At 5:00, I called the company number, but they were still waiting to hear from Debbie and her people. They suggested I should still go to the show and ask at the stage door when I arrive. Signs were still posted everywhere at the theatre that Debbie would not be performing, but I was in for a surprise at the stage door. Giles had waited for me to tell me the great news. He said, "Debbie is here! Now go get to your seat my friend!" My heart pounded for joy! I then spent quite a lot of money at the souvenir stand before curtain call. After Craig McLachlan sang "Sandy," the spotlight appeared on the opposite side. To appear was Debbie Gibson! The audience stood and cheered! It was as if this was Deborah's first ever performance! Debbie smiled and shortly sang "Danny." Deborah really sang her heart out during the whole performance. This is the first time seeing Grease for me. Deb's part was written out during the prom scene since that is where she got hurt a week and a half before. 10:30 P.M. Shane Richie who plays "Kenickie" appeared outside from the back stage door first. Shane easily spotted me because I was holding in my left hand, Debbie's _Electric Youth_ album, and in my right hand, a teddy bear. Shane picked up the EY album and put her other arm around me and started singing "Electric Youth." Boy, was I ever embarrassed. Shane also noticed I was holding a color photo of Debbie sitting on a motorcycle from the _Anything Is Possible_ album. Shane's eyes opened really wide and asked, "Did Deb turn porn star without her knowing it?" I, as loudly said, "Heavens no, thank goodness." About five minutes later, Debbie's bodyguard Dave came out to start the car. Ten minutes later, Debbie came out! She spotted me right away with the EY album and teddy bear, smiled and asked me to wait one minute. She went over to two little kids to sign autographs and chat with them. Shortly, Debbie came to me. I smiled and accidentally sang out, "I flew from Indianapolis, Indiana to see you." At this time, Deborah first looked at me with a straight face. I thought I was in trouble. Debbie then burst out with laughter. She said I guess you didn't know you sang that you came from Indiana. This was the only time I felt nervous when I spoke to her. I then laughed along. Debbie then grabbed my Indiana University teddy bear. I told her to press the bear's paw. The bear began to play the "I. U. Fight" song which plays for 30 seconds long. Debbie's eyes lit up with a huge smile. She quickly said, "I know this tune, I know it, help me out here." I told her it's the "I. U. Fight" song. Debbie quickly hummed along with the song. She raised the bear high into the air and paraded around inside the fence as the crowd joined in clapping. I always wanted to be popular in school, but this was a miracle to have my all time favorite singer giving me all the attention in front of a London crowd. Debbie smiled and thanked me several times. She signed my EY album and motorcycle photo. I got my picture taken with her. She giggled as I snuggled up close to her for a picture. Then Debbie was off to visit the rest of the crowd. Dave, her bodyguard stayed and chatted with me as he had an eye on Debbie. He was holding the teddy bear. He asked me where to press the bear to hear the song. I pressed his paw and Dave slowly danced with it. By this time, Debbie was ready to leave. She said she would talk to me again Thursday night. She said she was cold. So the night was over and I had only gotten two hours sleep that night. Thursday, March 3 I was awakened by my pen pal from The Netherlands, Ton Schrauwen, who, by the way, came into the London the day before. It was 9:25 A.M. and time for "Win, Lose or Draw." It was a nice feeling to be awaken all that week to see Debbie and the cast of Grease on the game show. My friend Tom Bowbly from U.S.A. was tired of seeing Debbie everywhere. Silly me and Ton Schrauwen sat on the floor and cheered on our favorite singer, "Debbie Gibson!" 1:30 P.M. We went to visit Giles Shenton again. He said he heard that the company wasn't going to let Deborah perform until officially tonight. He said Debbie demanded to perform Wednesday night and that she was ready. Giles said it had to do with my letter. I was so excited to hear this! My heart pounded as I heard from Giles Shenton that my letter help Debbie get motivated to do the show the night before! So my friends Ton, Tom and I ran to Planet Hollywood to celebrate before another showing of Grease. 10:30 P.M. Dave came out to start Debbie's car. Shortly, Deborah came out. She was looking around the crowd as if she was looking for somebody. She spotted me and ran right to me. I was in heaven at this time. It was a wonderful feeling seeing Deborah running to me with her arms in the air and a big smile. Debbie hugged me and chatted with me for ten minutes. I then brought over the fence a huge bag. Debbie smiled and looked in extreme excitement and happily said, "What do you have for me!?" I opened the bag. Debbie, in a hurry as if it was Christmas, looked into the bag. I had for her a Valentine heart-shaped candy box filled with candy with about eight Valentine cards from my pen pals, including letters from Carrie Sapp and Jim Molnar, a self-portrait of Debbie drawn by my Australian pen pal, Kylie Smith, and two bags of Doritos! Debbie thanked me again. This time, I introduced her to my friend Ton from The Netherlands. I told her we are pen pals and I thanked her for putting my address in D.G.I.F. She was really happy for me and she said you're welcome. She then signed an 8"x10" photo of me and her which I had gotten developed that morning. She said we looked very nice and cool in the pictures. This night she had more time for her fans. She chatted with us for about 20 minutes. Friday, March 4, 10:30 P.M. Well here it is, my last night to visit Deborah. This night was the worst. I had to deal with a huge crowd all three nights. The two nights before, everybody was there for Craig McLachlan, but tonight, everybody was there for Debbie. The crowd somehow worked their way past the fence. The night shift guard came out in anger to chase everybody outside the fence. I began to worry about Debbie's safety. Dave came out shortly to start the car. He then demanded the crowd, filled with mainly females, to back out of the fence. About ten minutes later, Dave came back out and turned Debbie's car off. I then figured maybe she would come out after Craig. Shane Richie came out, as he's always the first one out. Shortly after, Debbie came out! Then, the crowd of female fans dashed to her. Dave was trying to handle the crowd. Finally, they all lined up after Dave's command. Debbie signed autographs for everybody who was there. The whole time, Debbie was looking around. Finally, after five minutes, Debbie spotted me, and she smiled at me and told me to wait patiently for her. There was a male fan, Dominic Thomas, next to me who presented her the current issue of BtL. Debbie smiled as she received it. She then looked depressed as the gentleman asked her about her ankle. Finally, it was my turn! Always smiling, and happy to see me. However, I made Debbie look sad as I told her, "I wanted to say goodbye since my plane leaves tomorrow. I pulled out my last gift for her. Another I. U. teddy bear, but ten times bigger than the first one. Debbie began to smile again and gave me a big hug. We talked again. She signed the picture of her from the Novemeber photo of the 1994 calendar and the CD single of "You're The One That I Want." This was the best autograph from Deborah which she signed, "I hope you enjoy London." I thought it was really sweet. I hoped I wasn't being rude, but I asked Debbie if we could get our picture taken again before I left London. She smiled and said, "Why you know it's O.K. with me!" This time I hugged Debbie in the photo. Boy, did she giggle at me this time. As a matter of fact, she put her arms around me! After the photo, I put both arms out, and Debbie happily walked up to me. I then gave her a big hug goodbye and snuggled close to her. I know she was giggling at me again. I hugged her for a long time with my eyes closed. Dave appeared to be smiling at me as I opened my eyes. Dave was really nice to me! Debbie said goodbye and wished me a safe trip back to the U.S.A. Then she made her way with the rest of the crowd. Dave came back to me with a dissappointed look and asked me what's wrong with this bear? It won't play any music. When Debbie finished signing autographs, she came back to me. She said she's glad this wasn't a musical bear. Debbie said, "The other bear kept me awake the last two nights." A stranger next to me asked Deborah what we were talking about. Debbie explained to him about the musical bear. Debbie looked at me with a straight face and said, "When I was sleeping with the teddy bear, everytime I rolled over his paw, it would sound off the "I. U. Fight" song which scared me." After Debbie spent five more minutes with me, the huge crowd had dissappeared. Then it was time for Debbie to leave. The night wasn't over for me. I was in for a big surprise. Craig McLachlan came out. By the way, I stayed every night to chat with him. Craig signed all my stuff. I told him that Shane and him made me laugh during the whole show. It was so bad at times that I laughed 15 minutes after the joke was over. Then Craig asked if I was in a big hurry. I said no. So he invited me to his dressing room. We chatted for over an hour. Craig told me why the London cast wasn't going to be involved in the U.S. production of Grease. This is what Craig told me: The London producers were involved with the U.S. production to begin with. But along came Tommy Tune, who is the current U.S. producer. Tommy wanted it to go his way, so the London company backed out. Later Tommy Tune didn't have time, so the London company got involved again. Then again, Tommy begged to get back in because he had time. Well Tommy made enemies since he casted Rosie O'Donnell as Rizzo. The London producers didn't like the decision so they backed out. The London producers put out a set of rules that Tommy Tune had to follow: We have the rights to all the movie songs, which you cannot use. You cannot have me (Craig McLachlan) nor can you have Debbie Gibson nor anybody from the London cast. Nor can you use any of the stage sets nor copy us at all. Craig said the original plan before Tommy Tune got involved was to go on a world tour after April 9th. Then finally appear on Broadway in New York with Craig and Debbie Gibson starring in it. So now everybody can blame the whole mess on Tommy Tune, the devil of Hollywood. I do have good news though. Craig will team up with Mel Gibson to do a big box office hit after he leaves Grease in July. Debbie plans to release her next album at the end of the year. Debbie, if you are reading this, I want to thank you for the wonderful time we had. Thanks so much for spending time with me! I'm so happy I got to see you perform in Grease. I want to wish you lots of luck and good health. By the way, the musical bear is named Bailey Bear, and the bear with big feet is named Cheany. Thanks again, Debbie. You've made me really happy. And this is a wonderful vacation you've given me! I really enjoyed the stay in London. Thanks so much for all the memories. I won't forget. I love you, Debbie. Keep up the good work. Keep cranking out all those beautiful songs. I enjoy the London production of Grease more than the movie. I already miss you, Debbie. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM LONDON =- Dominic Thomas - London, England (d.thomas01@ic.ac.uk) April 5, 1994 Friday, March 4th I met Deb for the third time and saw the show for the sixth time. She was a little rusty after her 1 1/2 week break from the show but she still did a great performance. Actually, I think she's still in a bit of pain and wasn't fully recovered yet (I guess that's why the management didn't want her back yet). At one point during the cheerleading scene, her leg sort of gave out on her but she recovered really quickly. Otherwise, you would never have known there was anything wrong. Despite that, outside the stage door, she seemed as happy as ever and stood around for ages doing autographs. I asked her if she was definitely going to do concerts next year in the U.K. and she said it was pretty certain because, she thought, after doing Grease, enough people would be interested in seeing her live to make it worthwhile. I gave her BtL 6.1 as well, which she seemed pretty pleased to get. I guess I should've tried to get it to her before so she could've read it whilst incapacitated. Friday, March 11 Richard Arden and I saw the show and Deb backstage again. Thinking back after hearing she's lost her voice, I guess her singing wasn't quite as perfect as normal. It was still pretty good and "Hopelessly Devoted To You" was as amazing as ever! Backstage she said her leg's still not so good and she's had to go back to wrapping it. I guess eight months of Grease is really taking it's toll on her. THE MIRROR article about Deb being in constant fear for her life and never going out alone is utter garbage. Richard saw her in Burger King! And as I was getting my ticket, she walked straight past us into the theatre carrying loads of shopping! I only saw her from behind so I wasn't completely convinced it was her until I saw her backstage wearing the same clothes. I really couldn't see her spending her whole life at home or at the theatre because she's too scared to go out. I asked her about the Intrepid video and she said that the guy who's supposed to be editting it has only just recovered from a really bad illness but that editing was now going ahead. I asked if it was actually going to be released but she said she didn't know. Richard asked her how the new album was going. She said it was going well. She's definitely done all the songs and only has to record them. Friday, April 1 I met Deb again Friday night. As it turned out, it was an excellent time to go because Deb came out last which meant it wasn't so crowded as usual and I managed to pick up loads of news! I guess the coolest thing I found out was about the new album. I asked her what sort of songs were going to be on it and she said mainly slower songs with lots of piano! I'm sure a lot of people will be VERY glad to hear that! When I asked her if it was going to be mainly ballads, she said there'd be some pop songs as well. Going by that, it sounds extremely promising. Anyway, I also asked if she's going to start recording as soon as she gets home and she said she's going to have a break for a few weeks and then start. She also said she's hoping to have it out by the end of this year or early next year. I tried to find out something about the soundtrack for this animated feature she's doing ("A Fairy's Tale"). I did find out that it's going be released in September. She's definitely singing on the soundtrack as opposed to just doing instrumental music. I asked how her ankle and voice were and she said she was 'bearing up' but she's still not back to full health. I overheard her say, to someone else, that the reason she's been having problems with her voice is that the air in the theatre is very dry. Also, some guy, who seemed to know what he was talking about, said she'd hurt her ankle during "Summer Nights" when she jumped off the table. I would've thought it was more likely she did it during "You're The One That I Want" since she's dancing around in high heels! Anyway, it looks like she's going to see the week out O.K. Just in case anyone's interested, I overheard her say something about her sister being pregnant again. With any luck I'll be seeing her again Saturday, April 9, so I might get some more news before she goes. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= THOSE LONDON MEMORIES =- Tammie Ekkelboom - Citrus Heights, California March 14, 1994 I wanted to take a minute and share a little something with my BtL friends. Back in January, I went with the Beck Travel group to London to see Deborah. That whole experience was such a dream come true that words cannot even begin to describe what really happened there. The time I spent with Deborah is not something I want to brag about or try to show off. All I will say regarding that, is Deborah and I really became friends. She is one of the most important people in my life and not a day goes by when I don't think of her. It was just really great seeing her again and I look forward to next time. I also made some great friends while in London. We had some really great times together and they are memories I know I will never forget. I'd like to say a special hello to Sean, you're a really great guy and I'll always remember you saying, "She couldn't forget to say bye to you...you're her best friend." Thanks for that! John, something you said comes to mind when I think of you. Remember how you told Deborah.."If you ever need someone to fill in for you as an actress..." and you guys all pointed at me! Thanks to you for that! Deborah really did get a laugh out of that one! David ("you're the one that I want..ohh..ohh..ohh.."), I'll never forget that CRAZY GREASE night! We definitely had some fun! And Jen...you'll always be a special friend. I hope I didn't totally freak you out when we first met! I know I was definitely on a natural high! An extra special hello and thank you goes out to Ann! You've done so much for me, we are definitely friends 'til the end! Next time I'm in London, we'll have some more fun! All of you guys are so special to me now, I'll never forget that week in London. I hope you don't either. Go ahead...you can all laugh...remember when I said it..."Oh dear God, please let him feel the same way I'm feeling right now..." I'd like to take this time just to say hello and thanks again to Deborah (I know you'll be reading this girrrl!). You are definitely one in a million and someone I never want to be without. I look forward to our next cheasy photo shoot! Never forget it, and keep on listening to Vince Gill! It amazes me how one person like Deborah can bring together so many friendships and memories. I've met some really great people thanks to Deborah, D.G.I.F., and BtL. We're all definitely a family. Let's keep it that way! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= DEBWATCH =- Here's a list of significant television appearances shown since the last issue of BtL. 2/28/94 - 3/4/94 : WIN, LOSE OR DRAW (ITV, U.K.) For an entire week, Deb appeared on this game show, similar to Pictionary, which aired at 9:25 A.M. each morning. She was joined by other members of the Grease cast, including Shane Richie who hosts the show. On the first show, Deb started things off by trying to draw "The World Is A Stage." Later in the game, she was able to guess a song, with the last word of "dreams" - "Only In My Dreams." Thanks to Richard Arden (R.B.Arden@sheffield.ac.uk) for this information. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -= CLOSING REMARKS =- Saturday, April 9, 1994 will be Debbie Gibson's last performance in the London production of Grease at the Dominion Theatre. This show will conclude her nine month run as "Sandy," since the show opened on July 15, 1993. Although she encountered a few minor strains to her voice and ankle, Deb continued to give dynamic performances with every show. Congratulations to Deborah for fulfilling another dream!