The following article appeared in the Monday, November 13th "Pace"
section of the Wilmington News Journal. "Pace" is the section that contains
all the entertainment info, comics, TV listings, live performances, etc.
This was the week she was at the Playhouse Theatre in Wilmington, DE.

     I visited my parents over Thanksgiving, and my mother had cut out
and saved this for me from 2 weeks ago, knowing what a DG fan I am.

     The article takes up about two thirds of the front page of the
section. It contains 2 pictures, a color Deb-as-Rizzo 12"x6" that was
apparently taken from the same photo session as the poster in the program.
It is a different pose though. She is in a hitch-hiking pose instead
of the arms-crossed pose. Also, there is a 4"x2.5" color face shot of
the picture on the inside front cover of the CD.

     There are some great quotes in here.
     
     Without further ado...

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"Pop princess grows up" (Full page headline in 1.5" type)
"Debbie Gibson stretches her wings on stage" (below headline in .5" type)

by Joe Szczechoski

     Debbie Gibson sold millions of dance-pop albums in the late 80's and
early 90's with a clean-cut, girl-next-door image that appealed to both her
pre-pubescent fans and their parents. So when folks hear that Gibson is
starring in the latest production of "Grease," most assume she is playing
Sandy Dumbrowski, the good-girl role popularized by Olivia Newton-John in
the file version.

     Guess again.

     Gibson is starring all right, but in the role of Betty Rizzo, the 
tough-talking bad-girl from the wrong side of the tracks.

     In a recent telephone interview, Gibson pointed out that like Sandy,
she probably has more in common with Rizzo than her public image implies.

     "Most people would think that I don't have a lot in common with Rizzo,
but I can relate to her on many levels," Gibson said. "Rizzo's very energetic,
very spirited. She's gutsy, she's tough, and yet she's vulnerable. All those
qualities are shared by Sandy as well, which is why at the end of the show the
two characters come together."

     Gibson did portray Sandy in a recent London production of the show. But
when producers were casting the current U.S. touring company, Gibson lobbied
to play Rizzo.

     Having cast against type before (Brooke Shields played Rizzo on
Broadway last year), Gibson seemed like a logical choice. Still, Gibson
knew that taking the part would cause more than a few smirks of disbelief.

     "I think people don't often realize I've got a sense of humor about
myself," Gibson says. "If there is a Debbie Gibson joke to be heard, I've
heard it. I enjoy seeing how other people react when I play a part or
record with someone they wouldn't expect."

     Along those lines, Gibson appeared earlier this year singing backing
vocals for the song "I Wanna Destroy You" on an album appropriately entitled,
"Oddities, Abnormalities and Curiosities," by the punk band Circle Jerks.

     Gibson's own recording career is still in full swing. A few months ago,
she released "Think With Your Heart," a collection of mostly piano and
orchestra ballads for SBK Records. Also just out is a greatest hits collection
from Gibson's old record label, Atlantic.

     "I definitely want to keep it all balanced," Gibson says. "I've been
cross-promoting my new album while I'm on the road with "Grease." I've
always loved and admired Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler, Patti LuPone ---
people who have incorporated stage and screen work with a recording career."

     Gibson is no stranger to the stage. In 1992 she appeared on Broadway
portraying Eponine in "Les Miserables." She's also done guest appearances
on television shows such as "Street Justice" and an upcoming "Step By Step."
She says there is also the possibility of her shooting a television pilot
for her own show next season.

     Gibson feels that her stage and screen work will only broaden her
fan base. "People come out to shows for various reasons, and they might see
someone like me that they were otherwise not familiar with," she says.

     Now 25 years old, Gibson's teen-idol days are behind her. But while
Gibson has grown up, her public image has lagged behind. She says it can
be frustrating trying to shake those public preconceptions.

     "On one hand, I feel like I've paid my dues and people should be
waiting for my next single to come out," Gibson says. "And on the other
hand I realize that growing as an artist is more a readjustment for my fans
than for me. All I'm doing is growing and changing naturally. Other people
have trouble with it."

     "But I find that it's through live performance that people really
get a feel for what you're all about. That's why I like being out there.
Rather than sit home and plan and scheme and create images, I'd rather just
go out and perform. I'm confident that over time people will come around.
Instead of trying to jump on a trend, I'm going to stick with what I love
to do."