John Randal Kleiseris an American film director and producer, perhaps best known for directing the 1978 musical romantic comedy film Grease... (wikipedia)
Olivia Newton-John was our first choice to play Sandy, but she was nervous about acting, whether she would feel comfortable with us and could pull it off at all.
It was very unusual, because normally the producer requests the test to determine whether they want to hire someone or not. Olivia was concerned about playing a seventeen year old.
As we went into production, there was no song for Olivia and no idea where we would put it. It was not even on the production schedule.
I told her it was a bigger than life musical, that all the actors were going to be about the same age, late twenties into thirties. It would be a style; a kind of surreal high school.
Well, once I did 'Grease,' everyone was offering me studio pictures in a similar vein - you know, popcorn movie.
We wanted a supporting cast that would appeal to Baby Boomers who grew up in the fifties.
In order to do a musical now, a style must be developed that works for today's audience.
I loved the idea of Travolta sitting on the kid's swing, pining away for his girlfriend.