March 18, 2024

Grease could be the word for Dominic Fortuna

Jan. 3, 2007
Take a careful look at commercials airing on NBC for the new “Grease: You’re The One I Want” reality TV series and you‘ll spot Northern Michigan’s own Dominic Fortuna.
The series premieres Sunday January 7, and based on the commercials and a photo of Fortuna at NBC Grease website, it appears that he is a potential major player in the new series.
Fortuna has signed a confidentially agreement and is unable to comment on his potential participation. He did acknowledge that he tried out and was sent out to the “Grease Academy” in California.
Production crews from the program were spotted in Northern Michigan a few weeks back filming Fortuna during his work at the Dinner Theater in Williamsburg. The “Grease” series is similar to “American Idol,“ with thousands from across the country auditioning. At stake is the dream of becoming the next “Danny and Sandy” for a Broadway version of the popular musical made famous by John Travolta.
Fortuna has the looks and definitely the vocal chops for the lead part of Danny Zuko or possibly the supporting role of Vince Fontaine (the complete Broadway cast will be chosen from the contestants).
Fortuna has been performing in the area since he was 13 and started singing at his parents‘ restaurant, Mico’s, and then touring with the Young Americans. He has some previous national experience working with Barry Manilow in the production, “Could It Be Magic,” and performing on the Dick Clark-produced show, “Your Big Break.”
Most recently, Fortuna started The Williamsburg Dinner Theater. To follow Fortuna’s run on “Grease: You’re The One I Want,” watch Sunday, January 7 at 8 p.m. on NBC (TV 7-4) and visit www.nbc.com/Grease for additional details.
And stay tuned to the Express for an article about Fortuna’s reality TV experience, along with another local crooner, Miriam Pico, who tried out for “American Idol.“
---Rick Coates


Area runners put best foot forward with winter races
Snowshoers, take heart: The Big Foot Boogie is on track for January 27, aiming to stomp through Northern Michigan as the largest snowshoe race in the country with 200-250 contestants on the Vasa Trail course at Timber Ridge resort.
Local Running Fit stores are assisting two other races this winter: The Frozen Foot Race (with the Traverse City Track Club) on January 20 is a five-mile footrace on Mission Peninsula; and the Snow Monkey snowshoe race of two or four miles at Twin Lakes Camp on Long Lake Road, west of TC takes place on Feb. 24.
Race forms are available at Running Fit‘s two locations in TC, or see their website at www.runningfit.com.

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