At only 21, Brian Crum is a rising star on – and off – Broadway. This week, Crum and the cast of the national tour of Grease, the musical based on the film, are headed to San Diego.

The production stars “American Idol” Season Five winner Taylor Hicks as “Teen Angel,” and features a trifecta of hot young San Diego actors in leading roles – Crum is from Clairemont, while Kate Morgan Chadwick of La Mesa plays “Frenchy;” and Kelly Felthous of Vista plays “Marty.”

Excited to return to perform for friends and family in his hometown, Crum’s character “Doody,” serves as the comic relief and adds a bit of innocence to the character as Hicks’ best friend on stage.

A graduate of San Diego School of the Creative and Performing Arts in Chula Vista, he is now on stage as T-Bird at Rydell High. While Crum may barely be of drinking age, the local gay actor took time out of his busy touring schedule to talk with the Gay & Lesbian Times, revealing that his “wicked” rise to stardom from being an “altar boy” to “greaser,” keeps him “hopelessly devoted” to no man.

Gay & Lesbian Times: Tell readers a little about this production of Grease and your role in the show.

Brian Crum: It’s a new look at Grease. They took a lot of the movie songs and put them on stage for the first time. That’s never been done in a production of Grease. So that’s cool. I play Doody, which is one of the T-birds. He sings “Magic Changes” and is kind of like the young, innocent member of the gang.

GLT: Doody serves as Danny’s best friend and the comic relief for the story. Has that been a change from other productions you’ve been a part of?

BC: Not really. It tends to be the kind of role that I play – the young, silly character. I have a really great number in this production. I did a show called Altar Boyz, and I played a similar kind of silly role. This is kind of the thing that I do and feel comfortable with, so it’s a lot of fun for me.

GLT: Is there a role you identify more with playing?

BC: Not really. I definitely enjoy playing them, because they’re so different than I am. It’s kind of the escape which is fun to be. That’s what’s so great about being an actor is playing parts that are unlike you.

GLT: Is there a particular character in Grease you identify with?

BC: That’s a tough one. Probably Rizzo, who is one of the Pink Ladies.

GLT: When did you first get turned on to Grease and what are your first memories of either the show or film?

BC: I love Grease. I did a production in San Diego at the Jewish Community Center when I was 15. That was the first show where I found my voice. It was the first time I had some really great reviews and feedback. So I have a special place in my heart for Grease just because of that production and how it really opened my eyes to my potential as an artist. It was also my first full on-Broadway show. I did this production that I’m doing now, but I did it on Broadway first. Grease holds a special place in my heart.

GLT: What has it been like to be a part of a musical that has such a huge following and is defining of classic American culture?

BC: It’s exciting; every night as soon as the overture starts and we’re sitting backstage, the audience just goes nuts. We can hear them screaming. Throughout the whole show they love seeing these characters interact with each other. It’s fun to watch as an actor on stage seeing the audience have a great time. They’re always up on their feet at the end dancing around. It’s definitely an honor to be a part of the show.

GLT: Will you be critiquing ‘American Idol’s’ Taylor Hicks who is playing ‘Teen Angel,’ since you have previously performed that role?

BC: No critiques of Taylor. He knows what he’s doing. The audience loves what he does. [Taylor] and Kate, really have great interaction together. They really made that song work for them. They work well together.

GLT: Tell readers a little more about what it has been like working with Taylor Hicks?

BC: He’s a lot of fun. He’s a good guy. He keeps to himself a lot, but when he comes out, he’s a lot of fun. He’s funny; he’s got some good one-liners on him. The audience goes crazy for him every night.

GLT: There is a local trifecta of San Diego actors in this Broadway tour of Grease. Do you share a special bond with them, and are you excited to be performing this show at home?

BC: We definitely do. Me and Kate play opposite of each other. We bonded over so many mutual friends we had in San Diego. When you’re from San Diego you have a relaxed and chill vibe about you. Kelly and I actually did a lot of theater together when we were in San Diego, when we were 17. She is my roommate in New York. It’s really fun getting to work with her on this level. It was such a whim that we both happened to get this show. We’re all really great friends.

GLT: Your mom lives in Hillcrest and you went to high school here. Are you nervous about this role because some of your high school classmates will be in the audience?

BC: I’m really excited. Since I left San Diego when I was 18, I did a tour of Wicked and I did Broadway. This is the ultimate for me. Getting to come back to San Diego and perform on this scale, having all of my teachers and friends come back and support me is going to be exciting.

GLT: You’ve had the privilege of working on a number of productions. Are there any particular ones that you are ‘hopelessly devoted’ to?

BC: Wicked definitely was unreal for me to be a part of. When I was in high school it was my favorite show. I listened to it non-stop. It always gave me chills when I listened to it. It was my first real production. It was pretty amazing being 19 just graduating from high school and going off to be in the number-one block-buster musical. Also Altar Boyz, because that’s given me a name in the business. People recognize me from that show. That was definitely a good introduction to being a principal role in a show and getting to do my thing as an actor.

GLT: Is there any special someone or are you available?

BC: I am available.

GLT: What are your plans for the future? Will you soon be graduating from Grease?

BC: I’m with Grease definitely for a year. I’m planning to go back to New York and start the whole audition process over again. I’ve also been thinking about trying to go into “American Idol” next year.

GLT: If you were to move to New York, which plays would you audition for?

BC: A lot of shows closed recently, which is really sad. New things are coming up that I haven’t seen or witnessed. The next thing I want to do is a new piece. I would be honored to do any show on Broadway, but there isn’t one that’s really speaking to me.