kersti adams-ray interviews john travolta in sweden staying alive, september 1983
six years after previous dance contest, anthony tony manero, former disco king, acts on brother frank s advice , own dreams of dancing professionally. 25 , living in manhattan flophouse, working dance instructor , waiter @ dance club, searching big break in modern dance productions on broadway. break brooklyn life, family, , friends seems have matured tony , refined personality, including diminished brooklyn accent, avoidance of alcohol , less use of profanity. other attitudes remain unchanged, such disregard recent girlfriend, forgiving jackie. still immature, tony maintains of other macho , childish double standards, such seeing other women offended if sees jackie other men.
tony watches show features jackie dancer in chorus, focuses on lead, seemingly-wealthy english dancer, laura. tony pursues seduction in mind, , spends night her. s annoyed when dismisses him afterward, not understanding intended encounter one-night stand. laura coldly justifies treatment of him statement uses everybody, , implies tony used in order dance role in upcoming show.
jackie hurt when tony breaks several promises meet her. jackie vocalist local rock band in addition dance career. unable trust tony, , tired of being disregarded when other women catch eye, jackie ends personal relationship. displays apparent interest in band s rhythm guitarist. tony s wounded ego takes blow in addition conflict laura.
jackie, tony, , laura audition broadway production satan s alley. jackie , tony land small roles , laura cast in role of lead female dancer.
tony begins realize how callous s been jackie, , walks way manhattan old bay ridge neighborhood in brooklyn in middle of night. when walks past 2001 odyssey, sees discotheque former saturday night hangout gay nightclub, , s when realizes how life has changed in 6 years since left brooklyn. when tony goes visit mother, , apologizes selfishness , trouble-making ways of youth, points out selfish behavior teen helped him escape dead-end life in bay ridge. tony feels better after , heads manhattan repair relationship jackie. hostility , distance arrogant laura increase production progresses.
tony decides take shot @ replacing male lead of satan s alley , asks jackie him practice number. laura disgusted when tony succeeds , openly displays resentment @ having partner him in show. can t hide chemistry on stage despite animosity, pleases show s director.
satan s alley sells out , cast takes stage standing-room-only crowd. first act success despite tony s brash disregard script when kisses laura @ end of number. laura angrily retaliates clawing tony s face. director blasts tony backstage, telling him take personal war away production. laura seems offer truce when asks see him after show clear things up. tony aware of manipulative ways coldly tells has other commitments, , laura snidely tells him don t have it, presumably takes star dancer.
the second act dazzling display of dance , special effects, , tony abandons script near end of show. hurls laura away , gives way anger in solo dance. finishes , holds out hand laura command jump. halts amid jackie s , director s commands, leaps in arms climactic finish show. thrilled audience erupts cheers , standing ovation.
tony celebrates jubilant cast mates , reconciles jackie. says s got out , must strut in celebration. tony manero leaves theater , struts through times square, beaming newfound success.
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