Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
01-31-16 | 03:47 PM
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Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
FOX enrolls at Rydell High with GREASE: LIVE, a LIVE one-night musical production of the massively popular crossover musical “Grease.”
GREASE: LIVE stars Julianne Hough (“Safe Haven,” “Rock of Ages”) as the angelic “Sandy” – Rydell High’s most talked-about newcomer – and Aaron Tveit (“Graceland,” “Les Miserables”) as bad boy “Danny Zuko,” Also tapped to star are Vanessa Hudgens (Broadway’s “Gigi,” “Spring Breakers”) as iconic bad girl “Rizzo,” Keke Palmer (SCREAM QUEENS, “Masters of Sex”) as the sassy Pink Lady “Marty Maraschino” and Carlos PenaVega (“Big Time Rush”) as “Kenickie,” Danny’s tough-guy sidekick.
Featuring a young ensemble cast, GREASE: LIVE will reintroduce and reimagine some of the show’s most memorable moments, great music and timeless love story to an entirely new generation. In this live television adaptation of the musical classic, the beginning of senior year means the end of Danny and Sandy's summer romance – until Sandy unexpectedly transfers to Danny’s high school. Can Danny maintain his bad-boy image as the coolest member of the T-Birds, once he and Sandy start going together, and can Sandy remain a good girl after she joins the Pink Ladies? With their friends Rizzo and Kenickie pulling them in different directions, it’s up to Danny and Sandy to stay hopelessly devoted as they make their way from Rydell High to a new frontier.
GREASE: LIVE is based on the original 1971 musical “Grease,” by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey; and Paramount Pictures’ 1978 feature adaptation. The film, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, grossed nearly $400 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing movie musical ever. GREASE: LIVE will be a Paramount Television production.
GREASE: LIVE is produced by Paramount Television. Acclaimed film, television and theater producer Marc Platt (“Wicked,” “Into the Woods”) will executive-produce, Tony Award-nominated director Thomas Kail (“Hamilton,” “In the Heights”) is the director overseeing the stage direction and Alex Rudzinski (“Dancing with the Stars”) will serve as the live television director. Broadway writers Robert Cary (“Anything but Love,” “Ira & Abby”) and Jonathan Tolins (“Buyer & Cellar,” “The Last Sunday in June”) will write the LIVE television adaptation.
PRINCIPAL CAST INFORMATION:
· Aaron Tveit as Danny Zuko
· Ana Gasteyer as Principal McGee
· Carlos PenaVega as Kenickie
· Carly Rae Jepsen as Frenchy
· David Del Rio as Putzie
· Elle McLemore as Patty Simcox
· Eve Plumb as Mrs. Murdock
· Julianne Hough as Sandy
· Keke Palmer as Marty Maraschino
· Kether Donohue as Jan
· Mario Lopez as Vince Fontaine
· Vanessa Hudgens as Rizzo
· Wendell Pierce as Coach Calhoun
CREW INFORMATION:
· Alex Rudzinski as DIR
· Jonathan Tolins as WRTR
· Marc Platt as EP
· Robert Cary as WRTR
· Thomas Kail as DIR
GREASE: LIVE stars Julianne Hough (“Safe Haven,” “Rock of Ages”) as the angelic “Sandy” – Rydell High’s most talked-about newcomer – and Aaron Tveit (“Graceland,” “Les Miserables”) as bad boy “Danny Zuko,” Also tapped to star are Vanessa Hudgens (Broadway’s “Gigi,” “Spring Breakers”) as iconic bad girl “Rizzo,” Keke Palmer (SCREAM QUEENS, “Masters of Sex”) as the sassy Pink Lady “Marty Maraschino” and Carlos PenaVega (“Big Time Rush”) as “Kenickie,” Danny’s tough-guy sidekick.
Featuring a young ensemble cast, GREASE: LIVE will reintroduce and reimagine some of the show’s most memorable moments, great music and timeless love story to an entirely new generation. In this live television adaptation of the musical classic, the beginning of senior year means the end of Danny and Sandy's summer romance – until Sandy unexpectedly transfers to Danny’s high school. Can Danny maintain his bad-boy image as the coolest member of the T-Birds, once he and Sandy start going together, and can Sandy remain a good girl after she joins the Pink Ladies? With their friends Rizzo and Kenickie pulling them in different directions, it’s up to Danny and Sandy to stay hopelessly devoted as they make their way from Rydell High to a new frontier.
GREASE: LIVE is based on the original 1971 musical “Grease,” by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey; and Paramount Pictures’ 1978 feature adaptation. The film, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, grossed nearly $400 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing movie musical ever. GREASE: LIVE will be a Paramount Television production.
GREASE: LIVE is produced by Paramount Television. Acclaimed film, television and theater producer Marc Platt (“Wicked,” “Into the Woods”) will executive-produce, Tony Award-nominated director Thomas Kail (“Hamilton,” “In the Heights”) is the director overseeing the stage direction and Alex Rudzinski (“Dancing with the Stars”) will serve as the live television director. Broadway writers Robert Cary (“Anything but Love,” “Ira & Abby”) and Jonathan Tolins (“Buyer & Cellar,” “The Last Sunday in June”) will write the LIVE television adaptation.
PRINCIPAL CAST INFORMATION:
· Aaron Tveit as Danny Zuko
· Ana Gasteyer as Principal McGee
· Carlos PenaVega as Kenickie
· Carly Rae Jepsen as Frenchy
· David Del Rio as Putzie
· Elle McLemore as Patty Simcox
· Eve Plumb as Mrs. Murdock
· Julianne Hough as Sandy
· Keke Palmer as Marty Maraschino
· Kether Donohue as Jan
· Mario Lopez as Vince Fontaine
· Vanessa Hudgens as Rizzo
· Wendell Pierce as Coach Calhoun
CREW INFORMATION:
· Alex Rudzinski as DIR
· Jonathan Tolins as WRTR
· Marc Platt as EP
· Robert Cary as WRTR
· Thomas Kail as DIR
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6utokZTAwxs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
01-31-16 | 04:14 PM
#2
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
This'll probably be pretty good, but I sure don't get the craze behind live musicals on TV. The "live" part is just a gimmick and really not necessary, but oh well. 
01-31-16 | 05:40 PM
#3
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
I'll be curious as to how they'll handle some of the language. Years ago my sister was bragging that her 6-7 grandson could sing the song "Greased Lightnin'" and do the dance. I asked if her if she'd actually paid attention to the lyrics, and she got huffy with me. I explained (and she didn't realize) that the song (at least the version in the film) uses the terms "Getting lots of tit", "chicks'll cream" and "a real pussy wagon". The original musical was a bit rougher than the film.
01-31-16 | 05:58 PM
#4
Banned
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
Vanessa Hudgens dad passed away last night. She will still do the show and will dedicate her performance to him
http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/31...ctions-support
http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/31...ctions-support
01-31-16 | 06:05 PM
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Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
sad.
01-31-16 | 08:46 PM
#9
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
I'll be curious as to how they'll handle some of the language. Years ago my sister was bragging that her 6-7 grandson could sing the song "Greased Lightnin'" and do the dance. I asked if her if she'd actually paid attention to the lyrics, and she got huffy with me. I explained (and she didn't realize) that the song (at least the version in the film) uses the terms "Getting lots of tit", "chicks'll cream" and "a real pussy wagon". The original musical was a bit rougher than the film.
01-31-16 | 09:12 PM
#11
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
Quite a diverse student body for the time period.
Little-known fact: Grease is based on Taft High School in Chicago... just a few blocks away from me.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2...ase-jim-jacobs
http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainmen...37918bb3d.html
Little-known fact: Grease is based on Taft High School in Chicago... just a few blocks away from me.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2...ase-jim-jacobs
http://www.nwitimes.com/entertainmen...37918bb3d.html
01-31-16 | 09:21 PM
#12
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
This is better than the nbc live shows.
The live audience helps.
The live audience helps.
01-31-16 | 09:29 PM
#13
Moderator
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
01-31-16 | 09:38 PM
#14
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
I liked it. I thought it was quite an impressive production. Did anyone lose audio for about 30 seconds during the dance contest scene? I didn't know if it was nationwide or just my fox affiliate which doesn't do a good job with their air control quality. Edited to add. I didn't like the guy who played Danny. Was it just me or did he seem quite older than everyone else?
01-31-16 | 10:01 PM
#16
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
I also wondered the audio drop was a local thing for me.
I liked this. Julianne Hough was slightly better than in the Sandy role. Keke Palmer surprised me. It was great seeing Ana Gasteyer as the uptight principal and loved Didi Conn as the waitress.
I liked this. Julianne Hough was slightly better than in the Sandy role. Keke Palmer surprised me. It was great seeing Ana Gasteyer as the uptight principal and loved Didi Conn as the waitress.
01-31-16 | 10:25 PM
#17
DVD Talk Limited Edition
01-31-16 | 10:27 PM
#18
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
Heard a couple of line flubs. One was during the sleepover, where one of the girls asked where the other girl got the jacket or kimono or whatever it was, and she called her Jan instead of Marty. The other line was toward the end, but I can't recall it now.
01-31-16 | 10:37 PM
#19
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
I'm guessing that Eugene was supposed to actually hit the coach in the face with the pie which would have resulted in a similar line from the Coach as in the movie. Did they have different lines ready depending on where the pie actually landed?
I was disappointed that we didn't get the flying car at the end.
I was disappointed that we didn't get the flying car at the end.
01-31-16 | 10:48 PM
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
01-31-16 | 10:51 PM
#21
Moderator
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
I'm guessing that Eugene was supposed to actually hit the coach in the face with the pie which would have resulted in a similar line from the Coach as in the movie. Did they have different lines ready depending on where the pie actually landed?
I was disappointed that we didn't get the flying car at the end.
I was disappointed that we didn't get the flying car at the end.
01-31-16 | 10:52 PM
#22
DVD Talk Godfather & 2020 TOTY Winner
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
I will watch Kether Donahue in anything and everything she ever does.
And Julliane Hough is insanely hot. And sings well.
Strange that with all the good casting the did, they still ended up with a Danny who was a terrible singer and actor, not even remotely famous and at least 15 years too old for the part.
And Julliane Hough is insanely hot. And sings well.
Strange that with all the good casting the did, they still ended up with a Danny who was a terrible singer and actor, not even remotely famous and at least 15 years too old for the part.
01-31-16 | 11:10 PM
#23
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
Any wardrobe malfunctions or people farting loudly?
01-31-16 | 11:22 PM
#24
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
I wasn't planning on watching this, but got sucked in... but overall I was impressed by the sheer scope of this. The staging with the live audience was pretty brilliant, and that whole school dance scene had an incredible manic energy. Then the freakin' carnival... awesome.
I agree Danny was the one real 'off' cast member... he came off like an SNL guest host doing a parody of Danny in a Grease sketch.
I noticed they bounced between saying 'National Bandstand' and 'American Bandstand'... I know Mario called it AB and I think someone early on did as well.
I agree Danny was the one real 'off' cast member... he came off like an SNL guest host doing a parody of Danny in a Grease sketch.
I noticed they bounced between saying 'National Bandstand' and 'American Bandstand'... I know Mario called it AB and I think someone early on did as well.
01-31-16 | 11:32 PM
#25
Re: Grease: Live! (FOX) -- 1/31/16
The opening with Jessie J breaking the fourth wall (and showing the scope of the production) was a nice touch and gave the whole thing a fun vibe that continued throughout the evening. I agree that Aaron Tveit didn't quite have the "punch" that Travolta had, though this is one of those roles (like "Maria" in "The Sound of Music") that thousands of actors have played over the years. Julianne Hough was terrific for the most part (I thought she nailed "Hopelessly Devoted To You") , as were most of the cast. I do wish they would have run the names of the cast as they took their bows at the end.
For me, the weakest casting was "Boys2Men" as the "Teen Angel". Its a funny song and in the film Frankie Avalon did a nice job of nailing the lyrical punchlines. They just sang them as if it were just a straight song and it came off flat.
And while the show retained some racy lines, they really neutered the lyrics in "Greased Lightnin'", though that was one of those songs where the production sort of swallowed up the song, and you just had to appreciate it for its spectacle.
For me, the weakest casting was "Boys2Men" as the "Teen Angel". Its a funny song and in the film Frankie Avalon did a nice job of nailing the lyrical punchlines. They just sang them as if it were just a straight song and it came off flat.
And while the show retained some racy lines, they really neutered the lyrics in "Greased Lightnin'", though that was one of those songs where the production sort of swallowed up the song, and you just had to appreciate it for its spectacle.
Last edited by DWilson; 01-31-16 at 11:42 PM.