Calling . . . Laura Osnes

She’s the one we wanted . . . . Eagan’s Laura Osnes won a starring role in this summer’s Broadway revival of Grease after being selected by a public vote on the NBC reality show Grease: You’re the One That I Want. A 2004 graduate of Eagan High School, Osnes had played Sandy at Chanhassen Dinner Theatres. It was during her run in exurbia last year that Osnes learned that the Broadway producers planned to synergize with NBC to create pre-premiere buzz. She auditioned several times before being selected as one of seven finalists.

3/21, WEDNESDAY, 1:44 P.M.:  I just got back from lunch with Max and Austin, the two “Danny” finalists. We typically go to J.C. Grill, where today I had a classic tuna sandwich and water. We are in North Hollywood at a dance studio called The Millenium Dance Complex, which is serving as our rehearsal space. This morning we did a really good number with just the final four. Our choreographer taught us the “You’re The One That I Want” choreography.

WEDNESDAY, 7:48 P.M.: Calling from the “Grease House,” where I’m hanging in the living room with Max, Austin, and Ashley, and we’re just playing the piano and fooling around writing songs. We just wrote a song about cinnamon. It’s pretty fun trying to amuse ourselves. I just had some Life cereal, and I’ll probably eat a little more later. I’m just lounging around in sweats and bare feet. Right now, I’m looking out the window of our house in Bel-Air at the beautiful view of LA. I’ll probably call my fiancé, Nathan, in about a half an hour before he goes to bed back in Minnesota.

FRIDAY, 1:38 P.M.: I’m on another lunch break. This time I’m having a kids’ turkey sandwich at Quizno’s. Oh, and a chocolate chip cookie and a lemonade. We’ve been rehearsing and dancing and sweating all morning. All of the other contestants are back [after having been eliminated]. So there are fourteen of us now, which is really fun. This morning they had us ride to the studio in separate vans—those ten in one and we four in another. So they’re segregating us, which feels weird.

SUNDAY, 6:45 P.M.: I’ve got my arm around my fiancé and the other is holding the phone. We’re just outside CBS in Studio City. I’ve still got makeup caked on my face. Immediately after the show, we had a little interview with Access Hollywood when we were all still in costume. I’m going to stop by the green room and say hello and thank you to the judges. We have to be back in the Grease House by 1 a.m. Then we fly to New York Monday to do the Today show Tuesday. On Wednesday, I get to come home and do some planning because I am getting married May 11. Oh, and I guess I’ll have to get an agent. I am so grateful to all the people who have supported and encouraged me and, of course, the people who voted for me. I cannot believe my dream has come true. I’ve always wanted to perform on Broadway, and I am on my way. Bye, bye.