Grease Live!
{{short description|2016 live production of the 1971 musical of the same name}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox television
| image = Grease Live poster.png
| caption =
| genre = Musical
| creator =
| based_on = Grease (musical)
Grease (film)
| developer =
| writer = {{Plainlist|
- Robert Cary
- Jonathan Tolins
}}
| director = {{Plainlist|
- Thomas Kail
- Alex Rudzinski}}
| creative_director =
| presenter = Mario Lopez
| starring = {{Plainlist|
- Aaron Tveit
- Julianne Hough
- Carlos PenaVega
- Vanessa Hudgens
- Carly Rae Jepsen
- Keke Palmer
- Kether Donohue
- Jordan Fisher
- David Del Rio
- Yvette González-Nacer
- Andrew Call
- Mario Lopez
}}
| country = United States
| language = English
| executive_producer = Marc Platt
| producer = {{Plainlist|
- Greg Sills
- Adam Siegel
}}
| editor =
| location = Warner Bros., Burbank, California
| cinematography =
| camera =
| runtime = 130 minutes
| company = {{Plainlist|
}}
| open_theme =
| channel = Fox
| released = {{Start date|2016|01|31}}
}}
Grease Live! is an American television special that was originally broadcast by Fox on January 31, 2016. It was a live, televised remake of the 1978 film Grease, executive produced by Marc Platt, directed by Thomas Kail, and starring Aaron Tveit, Julianne Hough, Carlos PenaVega, Vanessa Hudgens and Jordan Fisher.
Patterned on similar live television musicals recently produced by NBC, the production incorporated elements and songs from both the original stage musical and the 1978 film version of Grease, as well as additional songs that were not present in either. In an effort to emulate the "energy" of a theatrical setting, live audiences were incorporated into the production's stagings. Grease Live was broadcast from Warner Bros. Studios, utilizing two soundstages and the studio's outdoor backlot—the usage of the latter was notably affected by rain in the Los Angeles area on the day of the broadcast.
Critical reception was positive, with particular praise to the overall atmosphere and production style of the presentation, as well as the performances of the cast, particularly Hudgens as Betty Rizzo—the special was dedicated in the memory of Hudgens' father, who had died from cancer one day prior to the broadcast. The special was nominated for ten Primetime Emmy Awards and won a total of five, including Outstanding Special Class Program.
{{TOC limit|3}}
History
=Announcement and casting=
On April 28, 2014, Fox announced that it had partnered with Paramount Television to produce a live, three-hour televised adaptation of the 1978 musical Grease in 2015.{{Cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2014/04/28/fox-to-stage-live-production-of-grease/8414769/|title=Fox to go live with 'Grease'|first=Bill|last=Keveney|date=April 28, 2014|access-date=February 1, 2016|work=USA Today|archive-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105135106/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2014/04/28/fox-to-stage-live-production-of-grease/8414769/|url-status=live}} The move came in the wake of similar live musical adaptations that had been produced by NBC, such as The Sound of Music Live! and Peter Pan Live!.
On January 17, 2015, Fox officially announced that Julianne Hough had been cast as Sandy and Vanessa Hudgens as Rizzo and that the special would air on January 31, 2016. Entertainment Weekly reported that the special had been delayed from its original target of Summer 2015 due to difficulties in the casting process.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/fox-grease-live-musical-julianne-hough-vanessa-hudgens-20150117 |title=Fox Plans 'Grease' Live Musical With Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens |last=Kreps |first=Daniel |date=January 17, 2015 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 1, 2016 |archive-date=January 23, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123182715/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/fox-grease-live-musical-julianne-hough-vanessa-hudgens-20150117 |url-status=live }} On May 28, 2015, it was announced that Keke Palmer would join the broadcast as Marty Maraschino, one of the Pink Ladies.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/keke-palmer-joins-cast-of-foxs-grease-live-350121 |title=Keke Palmer Joins Cast of Fox's Grease: Live! |last1=Hetrick |first1=Adam |last2=Viagas |first2=Robert |date=May 28, 2015 |website=Playbill.com |access-date=April 20, 2018 |last3=Gioia |first3=Michael |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053701/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/keke-palmer-joins-cast-of-foxs-grease-live-350121 |url-status=live }} On July 9, it was announced that Aaron Tveit would star as Danny Zuko in the live TV broadcast, and Carlos PenaVega would play the role of Kenickie. On September 30, 2015, it was announced that Carly Rae Jepsen, Kether Donohue, and David Del Rio would play Frenchy, Jan, and Putzie, respectively.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/broadways-cinderella-and-glee-choreographer-join-foxs-grease-live-364826 |title=Broadway's Cinderella and "Glee" Choreographer Join Fox's Grease: Live |last=Gans |first=Andrew |website=Playbill |date=September 30, 2015 |access-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-date=March 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308160951/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/broadways-cinderella-and-glee-choreographer-join-foxs-grease-live-364826 |url-status=live }} On November 6, it was announced that Jordan Fisher, Andrew Call and Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer would join the cast as Doody, Sonny and Cha-Cha, respectively.{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/foxs-grease-live-gets-its-doody-sonny-and-cha-cha-370474 |title=Fox's Grease: Live Gets Its Doody, Sonny and Cha-Cha |last1=Viagas |first1=Andrew |last2=Clement |first2=Olivia |website=Playbill.com |date=November 6, 2015 |access-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304071845/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/foxs-grease-live-gets-its-doody-sonny-and-cha-cha-370474 |url-status=live }}
=Production=
Director Thomas Kail envisioned Grease Live as being a "combination" of elements from the original musical and the 1978 film version of Grease.{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/thomas-kail-jumps-hamilton-grease-857961 |title='Hamilton's' Thomas Kail Makes the Leap to TV for "Bold" Take on 'Grease: Live' |last1=Rooney |first1=David |date=January 25, 2016 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |publisher=Lynne Segall |access-date=February 3, 2016 |quote=What we're doing here is taking the spine of the film and then also having access to parts of the stage play. |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202133901/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/thomas-kail-jumps-hamilton-grease-857961 |url-status=live }} For instance, the production incorporated songs that were created for the film version, such as a performance of its theme song "Grease (Is The Word)" by Jessie J, "You're the One That I Want", and "Hopelessly Devoted to You", as well as songs that were exclusive to the stage version, such as "Freddy, My Love" and "Those Magic Changes". Kail explained that "very early on as I started imagining what this could be, talking to Marc Platt, our executive producer, and the folks at Paramount, one of the things we really were very focused on was trying to capture the spirit of both the original companies of Grease and that film that has left such an indelible impression on all of us. To try to honor that and pay homage to something that has moved us and we have such a great affection for, and then try to make our own version of it."{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/foxs-grease-live-incorporate-studio-849706 |title=Fox's 'Grease: Live' to Incorporate Studio Audience |last=Rooney |first=David |date=December 17, 2015 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=January 31, 2016 |archive-date=January 16, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160116101200/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/foxs-grease-live-incorporate-studio-849706 |url-status=live }}
The production also contained several new songs including the original, "All I Need Is an Angel", which was written for the character of Frenchy (Carly Rae Jepsen) by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey of Next to Normal fame.{{cite news |url=http://www.people.com/article/grease-live-2016-new-songs |title=Freddy, My Love? The Grease: Live Songs You May Not Recognize |last=Gomez |first=Patrick |date=January 31, 2016 |work=People |access-date=February 1, 2016 |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202092234/http://www.people.com/article/grease-live-2016-new-songs |url-status=live }} Joe Jonas's band DNCE made a cameo appearance as Johnny Casino and The Gamblers during the Rydell High dance where they performed The Crickets' "Maybe Baby", as well as a 1950s-inspired remix of their own debut single "Cake by the Ocean" in addition to "Born to Hand Jive" from the stage version and "Rock and Roll Is Here to Stay" which was previously only part of the film version. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Jonas explained that the band was approached by the producers for the role following a concert they had performed in New York City.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/joe-jonas-talks-dnces-grease-live-cameo-20160127 |title=Joe Jonas Talks DNCE's 'Grease: Live' Cameo |last=Spanos |first=Brittany |date=January 27, 2016 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=February 1, 2016 |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145713/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/joe-jonas-talks-dnces-grease-live-cameo-20160127 |url-status=live }}
Grease Live was broadcast from Warner Bros. in Burbank, California, using two soundstages, half of its backlot, and 44 cameras. Set designer David Korins explained that the medium of a live, television musical would "really show off what theater does best, and also what film and television does best", having constructed a self-contained "cafegymatorium" set that is designed to provide an "immersive", 360-degree experience, as well as traditional theatrical-style stagings. Grease Live was presented to live studio audiences at each of the three filming locations, who were also directly integrated into relevant scenes as extras on-stage, such as in crowds. Kail explained that he wanted to capture the "feeling" of the audiences at live stage productions, as there was "an energy and an undeniable vitality that real humans give back to real humans that are performing". The Hollywood Reporter believed that the use of live audiences would help to stylistically distinguish Grease Live from the NBC live musicals that it was patterned after.
The price of a 30-second commercial during Grease Live was set between $300,000 and $320,000. Coca-Cola was signed on as a major sponsor of the special; the sponsorship included product placement of classic Coca-Cola signage and beverages within the special (such as on a vending machine and on the diner set), and sponsored social media content.{{cite web |url=http://www.adweek.com/news/television/grease-word-coke-fox-banks-first-live-musical-169290 |title=Fox Finds the Perfect Sponsor for Its 1950s-Era Grease Revival: Coca-Cola |last=Lynch |first=Jason |date=January 29, 2016 |website=Adweek |access-date=February 12, 2016 |archive-date=February 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214152749/http://www.adweek.com/news/television/grease-word-coke-fox-banks-first-live-musical-169290 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/grease-live-coca-cola-tv-advertising-1201691992/ |title=Coca-Cola Hopes To Cut Through Fox's Live 'Grease' With Ad Play |last=Steinberg |first=Brian |date=January 29, 2016 |website=Variety |access-date=February 12, 2016 |archive-date=February 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160212055517/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/grease-live-coca-cola-tv-advertising-1201691992/ |url-status=live }} In order to be appropriate for broadcast television and to appease advertisers, several songs were edited for content; Platt stated that his goal was to make Grease Live a "family-friendly" show, but still wanted to maintain "the appropriate edge" the musical required. Among the edits, "Greased Lightnin'" changed the lyrics to remove several profane and sexual words (edits that original songwriter Jim Jacobs had made to the officially licensed versions many years prior), while the Italian profanity "fongool" was replaced with "be cool" within "Look At Me, I'm Sandra Dee".{{Cite magazine |last=Robinson |first=Joanna |date=January 31, 2016 |title=Why Grease: Live Had to Censor Some of Its Most Famous Lyrics |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/01/grease-live-lyric-change-greased-lightning |magazine=Vanity Fair |publisher=Conde Nast |access-date=February 12, 2016 |archive-date=February 9, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209154835/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/01/grease-live-lyric-change-greased-lightning |url-status=live }}
==Weather issues==
The use of outdoor sets for portions of the production led to concerns that it could be affected by weather, especially in the wake of forecasts calling for a 100% chance of precipitation and possible thunderstorms on the day of the telecast. Kail stated that the production did have contingency plans in the event of rain, while Platt stated that his team had factored the possibility of rain into its plans for "many months", and that while safety was the highest priority, the show would still go on, rain or shine.{{cite magazine|title=Grease: Live producer on alternate opening, dedication to Vanessa Hudgens' father|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/01/grease-live-producer-opening-vanessa-hudgens|date=February 1, 2016|last=Snetiker|first=Marc|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 2, 2016|archive-date=February 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201220749/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/01/grease-live-producer-opening-vanessa-hudgens|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title='Grease: Live' EP on Sunday Rain Forecast: "We're Fully Prepared"|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/grease-live-ep-rain-forecast-860278|website=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 29, 2016|last=Stanhope|first=Kate|access-date=February 1, 2016|archive-date=February 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201001454/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/grease-live-ep-rain-forecast-860278|url-status=live}}{{cite magazine|title=How Grease: Live plans to handle wet L.A. weather|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/31/grease-live-rain-weather-la|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|last=Gomez|first=Patrick|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=January 31, 2016|archive-date=February 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203004159/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/31/grease-live-rain-weather-la|url-status=live}}
While prepared for the possibility of rain, wind was also a major factor: at around 3:00 p.m. PT, an hour before the telecast went live, Platt was informed that a particular structure on the outdoor set could not be used for safety reasons. By 3:40 p.m. PT, while the team was in the process of re-staging the opening number to exclude the structure, the rain and wind passed, and engineers cleared the use of the structure—allowing a return to the original staging. The broadcast would ultimately feature references to the conditions: emcee Mario Lopez jokingly introduced "El Niño" as being a "special guest", while the opening number, "Grease (Is the Word)", was performed with the cast holding umbrellas,{{cite web|title=With Spectacular 'Grease Live', Fox & Paramount Raise Bar On Live TV Presentations – Review|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/grease-live-review-1201693976/|website=Deadline Hollywood|last=Gerard|first=Jeremy|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=February 1, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202042311/http://deadline.com/2016/01/grease-live-review-1201693976/|url-status=live}} and during a discussion about having a live broadcast at Rydell High, Principal McGee (Ana Gasteyer) quipped, "Let's just hope it doesn't rain."{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/grease-live-preview-final-rehearsal-1201693213/|title='Grease Live': Inside the Final Dress Rehearsal|work=Variety|last=Birnbaum|first=Debra|date=January 31, 2016|access-date=September 14, 2016|archive-date=June 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615052347/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/grease-live-preview-final-rehearsal-1201693213/|url-status=live}}
==Death of Greg Hudgens==
On the day of the broadcast, Vanessa Hudgens announced on Twitter that her father, Greg, had died of cancer the night before, and that she would dedicate her performance in Grease Live to his memory.{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-vanessa-hudgens-dad-dies-grease-live-dedication-20160201-story.html |title=Vanessa Hudgens dedicates 'Grease: Live' to her father, who died a day before the show |last=Saad |first=Nardine |date=February 1, 2016 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-date=February 1, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201220938/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/gossip/la-et-mg-vanessa-hudgens-dad-dies-grease-live-dedication-20160201-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/grease-live-stars-father-passes-away-but-she-says-i-do-the-show-in-his-honor-383219 |title=Grease: Live Star's Father Passes Away, But She Says, "I Do The Show In His Honor" |last=Gioia |first=Michael |date=January 31, 2016 |work=Playbill |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=April 24, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424175147/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/grease-live-stars-father-passes-away-but-she-says-i-do-the-show-in-his-honor-383219 |url-status=live }} Platt told Entertainment Weekly that he was "fiercely proud" of Hudgens' handling of the situation, describing her as a "very determined young woman" who "knows that the show has to go on, as any actor of the theater or in a live event knows. So she decided she would take her feelings of loss and sadness and put them in a box for that afternoon, that she would use them to fuel her performance and she would do it in honor of her father." Additionally, Fox and Paramount allowed the production to be dedicated in memory of Greg; Platt went on to say that "the cast was behind her and we all joined hands and said, 'We're going to live in this moment. Sometimes life interferes. But you have all worked so hard for this moment and we're going to go for it.'"
Cast and characters
=Main cast=
- Aaron Tveit as Danny Zuko,{{cite magazine|last1=Hibberd|first1=James|title=Fox's Grease: Live casts Graceland star as Danny Zuko|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=July 9, 2015|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/09/grease-aaron-tveit|access-date=August 16, 2015|archive-date=July 10, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710181357/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/09/grease-aaron-tveit|url-status=live}} Sandy's boyfriend, leader of T'Birds, Rydell High's Greaser gang
- Julianne Hough as Sandy Young, Danny's girlfriend, relocated from Utah (this, her conservative values and sharing a name with Brigham Young imply a Mormon upbringing, much like Hough's own. In the film version, Grease, Sandy’s last name was Olsson, and had relocated from Australia in order to suit the original actress Olivia Newton-John), who transforms from square lady to female greaser over the course of the production
- Carlos PenaVega as Kenickie, member of T'Birds, owner of the car Greased Lightnin', Danny's best friend and Rizzo's on-again/off-again fling
- Vanessa Hudgens as Betty Rizzo, leader of the Pink Ladies, frenemy to Sandy
=Pink Ladies=
- Carly Rae Jepsen as Francesca "Frenchy" Facciano, Sandy's best friend, aspiring beautician
- Keke Palmer as Martina "Marty" Maraschino, the Pink Ladies' resident sex kitten
- Kether Donohue as Janice "Jan" Fellopa,{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/701360/meet-the-new-pink-ladies-grease-live-cast-keeps-getting-even-more-amazing-with-carly-rae-jepsen |title=Meet the New Pink Ladies: Grease: Live Cast Keeps Getting Even More Amazing With Carly Rae Jepsen! |last=Bentley |first=Jean |date=September 30, 2015 |website=E! News |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=January 5, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105073019/http://www.eonline.com/news/701360/meet-the-new-pink-ladies-grease-live-cast-keeps-getting-even-more-amazing-with-carly-rae-jepsen |url-status=live }} blunt and somewhat dorky
=T-Birds=
- Jordan Fisher as Anthony "Doody" DelFuego, a naive and childlike aspiring musician
- Andrew Call as Sonny LaTierri, trouble-making womanizer -wannabe
- David Del Rio as Roger "Putzie" Jacobs, sardonic and self-confident
=Special guests=
- Didi Conn as Vi (Conn played Frenchy in the 1978 film){{cite news |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/carly-rae-jepsen-will-get-new-song-in-grease-live-original-film-stars-to-cameo-380063 |title=Carly Rae Jepsen Will Get New Song in Grease: Live; Original Film Stars to Cameo |last=Gioia |first=Michael |date=January 18, 2016 |work=Playbill |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=March 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321042525/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/carly-rae-jepsen-will-get-new-song-in-grease-live-original-film-stars-to-cameo-380063 |url-status=live }}
- Barry Pearl as Mr. Stan Weaver (Pearl played Doody in the 1978 film)
=Musical guests=
- Jessie J as the title song singer
- Boyz II Men as the Teen Angels{{cite news |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/boyz-ii-men-will-earn-their-wings-on-grease-live-broadcast-377909 |title=Boyz II Men Will Earn Their Wings on Grease: Live Broadcast |last=Viagas |first=Robert |date=January 6, 2016 |work=Playbill |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=March 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311233442/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/boyz-ii-men-will-earn-their-wings-on-grease-live-broadcast-377909 |url-status=live }}
- DNCE as Johnny Casino and the Gamblers{{cite magazine |last=Bryan |first=Jacob |date=January 13, 2016 |title=TV News Roundup: Joe Jonas' Band Appearing On 'Grease: Live' & More |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/grease-live-joe-jonas-dnce-ed-begley-jr-better-call-saul-1201679344/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611165105/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/grease-live-joe-jonas-dnce-ed-begley-jr-better-call-saul-1201679344/ |url-status=live }}
=Other characters=
- Mario Lopez as Vince Fontaine
- Ana Gasteyer as Principal Marj McGee
- Elle McLemore as Patty Simcox{{cite web |url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/heathers-and-bring-it-on-star-elle-mclemore-joins-grease-live-366472 |title=Heathers and Bring It On Star Elle McLemore Joins Grease: Live |last=Clement |first=Olivia |date=October 9, 2015 |website=Playbill |access-date=January 7, 2016 |archive-date=April 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407101530/http://www.playbill.com/news/article/heathers-and-bring-it-on-star-elle-mclemore-joins-grease-live-366472 |url-status=live }}
- Wendell Pierce as Coach Vince Calhoun{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadway-Vet-Wendell-Pierce-Joins-Cast-of-GREASE-LIVE-20160126 |title=Broadway Vet Wendell Pierce Joins Cast of GREASE: LIVE! |date=January 26, 2016 |website=Broadway World |access-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-date=November 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181129013054/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Broadway-Vet-Wendell-Pierce-Joins-Cast-of-GREASE-LIVE-20160126 |url-status=live }}
- Eve Plumb as Mrs. Murdock
- Sam Clark as Leo "Craterface/Hatchetface" Balmudo{{cite web|url=http://www.tvweeklogieawards.com.au/news/articles/2016/2/former-neighbours-star-hits-the-stage/|title=Former Neighbours star hits the stage|date=February 2, 2016|work=TV Week|access-date=February 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327023311/http://www.tvweeklogieawards.com.au/news/articles/2016/2/former-neighbours-star-hits-the-stage/|archive-date=March 27, 2016}}
- Yvette González-Nacer as Charlene "Cha-Cha" DiGregorio
- Noah Robbins as Eugene Felsnick{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2016/06/28/younger-spoilers-season-3-casting-noah-robbins-bryce/ |title=Younger Taps Grease: Live Alum to Play Awkward Millionaire in Season 3 |last=Swift |first=Andy |date=June 28, 2016 |website=TVLine |access-date=April 20, 2018 |archive-date=April 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425174419/http://tvline.com/2016/06/28/younger-spoilers-season-3-casting-noah-robbins-bryce/ |url-status=live }}
- Jon Robert Hall as Thomas "Tom" Chisum{{cite web |url=https://indianapolis.broadway.com/buzz/189470/dancing-through-life-grease-lives-jon-robert-hall-joins-the-wicked-tour-as-fiyero/ |title=Dancing Through Life! Grease: Live!'s Jon Robert Hall Joins the Wicked Tour as Fiyero |last=Gilbert |first=Ryan |date=August 22, 2017 |website=Broadway.com |access-date=April 20, 2018 |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928223941/http://indianapolis.broadway.com/buzz/189470/dancing-through-life-grease-lives-jon-robert-hall-joins-the-wicked-tour-as-fiyero/ |url-status=live }}
- Haneefah Wood as Blanche Hodel{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/1/10885904/grease-live-musical-recap-julianne-hough-aaron-tveit-fox |title=Grease Live: the live musical you should've watched |last1=Cox |first1=Jamieson |last2=Plante |first2=Chris |date=February 1, 2016 |publisher=The Verge |access-date=July 14, 2019 |quote=Haneefah Wood didn’t have a ton to work with as Principal McGee’s beleaguered assistant Blanche |archive-date=July 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190714184424/https://www.theverge.com/2016/2/1/10885904/grease-live-musical-recap-julianne-hough-aaron-tveit-fox |url-status=live }}
=Ensemble=
{{div col}}
- Carly Bracco
- Gregory Haney
- Harley Jay
- Chris Meissner
- Tiana Okoye
- Kayla Parker
- Dominic Pierson
- Cailan Rose
{{div col end}}
Personnel
=Musicians=
- Randal Kleiser – conductor, keyboards
- Brian Kilgore – percussion
- Dave Kendrick – lead guitar
- John Wilson – rhythm guitar
- Taylor Hale – bass
- Chad Timon – drums
- Isaiah Miller – piano, keyboards
- Lindsey Stirling, David Garrett – violins
- Laura Freeman – viola
- Joshua Alexander Sykes – cello
- Nick Payton, Kail Graham – trumpets
- Lil' Joey – trombone
- Ray Hanson, Kirk Sanborn – saxophones, flutes
- Arnold McCuller, Dorian Holley, Fred White, Emily Stevens, Kathy Gray, Siedah Garrett – vocals
- Bob Garrett – vocal director
=Dancers=
- Nick Baga
- Karen Chuang
- Janaya French
- Courtney Galiano
- Marko Germar
- Jeremy Hudson
- KC Monnie
- Haylee Roderick
- Brooke Shepherd
- Ade Chike Torbert
Soundtrack
The official soundtrack album, Grease Live! (Music from the Television Event), was released on January 31 by Paramount Pictures.{{cite magazine|url = https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6859471/grease-live-watch-all-performances|title = Watch All the 'Grease: Live!' Performances Here|magazine = Billboard|access-date = January 9, 2016|date = January 29, 2016|archive-date = February 2, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160202064139/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6859471/grease-live-watch-all-performances|url-status = live}} The Target edition, including four bonus tracks, was released on February 27.{{cite magazine|url = http://www.target.com/p/grease-live-on-fox-target-exclusive/-/A-50721396#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=grease+live|title = GREASE! Live on Fox (Target Exclusive)|magazine = Billboard|access-date = January 9, 2016|date = January 29, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180524082343/https://www.target.com/p/grease-live-on-fox-target-exclusive/-/A-50721396#prodSlot=medium_1_1&term=grease+live|archive-date = May 24, 2018|url-status = dead}} In the show, 23 songs were performed, but only 19 were included in the official soundtrack.{{cite web|url = https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/grease-live-musical-stats-fox-1201689777/|title = 'Grease Live' By the Numbers|work = Variety Magazine|access-date = January 9, 2016|date = January 29, 2016|archive-date = February 1, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160201092556/https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/grease-live-musical-stats-fox-1201689777/|url-status = live}} "Alma Mater" (performed by Ana Gasteyer and Haneefah Wood) and "Mooning" (performed by DNCE) were not included in any version of the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/22/grease-live-soundtrack-release-date|title=Get ready to break out the hand jive: The Grease: Live soundtrack will drop on Jan. 31|work=Entertainment|access-date=January 9, 2016|date=January 29, 2016|archive-date=January 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123221134/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/01/22/grease-live-soundtrack-release-date|url-status=live}} The album debuted at number 37 on the US Billboard 200,{{cite magazine |date=January 29, 2016 |title=Billboard 200: February 20, 2016 |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2016-02-20 |magazine=Billboard |access-date=January 9, 2016 |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922072328/https://www.billboard.com/charts/billboard-200/2016-02-20/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6875126/grease-live-movie-soundtracks-billboard-200-chart-moves|title=Billboard 200 Chart Moves: 'Grease Live' & 'Grease' Movie Soundtracks 'Go Together' Up the Chart|magazine=Billboard|last=Caulfield|first=Keith|access-date=December 10, 2016|archive-date=August 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827233432/http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/6875126/grease-live-movie-soundtracks-billboard-200-chart-moves|url-status=live}} and topped the same week on the Top Album Sales chart.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/soundtracks/2016-02-20|title=Billboard Top Soundtrack|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 10, 2016|archive-date=June 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160618101207/http://www.billboard.com/charts/soundtracks/2016-02-20|url-status=live}}
Reception
=Critical reception=
Grease Live received mostly positive reviews. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes listed the special with a 91% rating based on 34 reviews, and an average rating of 8.3/10. The website's critical consensus states that "Grease: Live took the pressure and threw away conventionality — it belongs to yesterday. There was a chance that it could make it so far; we started believin' we can be who we are. Grease: Live is the word."{{cite web | url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/grease_live/ | title=Grease: Live! (2016) | work=Rotten Tomatoes | publisher=Fandango Media | access-date=March 7, 2018 | archive-date=November 27, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127085418/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/grease_live/ | url-status=live }} Metacritic listed a weighted average of 75 out of 100 based on 23 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/tv/grease-live|title=Grease: Live Reviews|work=Metacritic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=March 7, 2018|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307072714/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/grease-live|url-status=live}}
Megan Vick of TV Guide felt that Kail had "upped the standard" for live television musicals, and had "successfully managed to combine all the nostalgic elements of Grease that everyone expected while creating a new experience. The set changes and scale of what they were able to accomplish—in a rainstorm no less—were incredibly impressive. Grease is the word, and ratings most likely will be too." While praising "All I Need Is an Angel" for demonstrating Carly Rae Jepsen's capabilities as a singer, Vick felt that the song was too modern for a musical that is set in the 1950s.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/grease-live-hits-misses-freddy-my-love-thunder-road-race |title=Grease: Live! Hits and Misses: From "Freddy, My Love" to the Thunder Road Race |last=Vick |first=Megan |date=February 1, 2016 |website=TV Guide |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=May 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509132904/https://www.tvguide.com/news/grease-live-hits-misses-freddy-my-love-thunder-road-race/ |url-status=live }}
File:Vanessa Hudgens - 2019 by Glenn Francis.jpg received widespread acclaim for her performance and professionalism as her father had died the day before the live show.]]
Jeremy Gerald of Deadline Hollywood noted that Grease Live was broadcast "with nary a hitch and one last-minute change in the out-of-doors opening number that paid tribute to the greatest movie musical of all time, Singin' in the Rain". Acknowledging that none of NBC's live musicals had "hit the stratospheric highs of this show", while aspects of the production were also praised, such as the live audiences and stage design. Vanessa Hudgens was judged to have "stolen" the show, and that Aaron Tveit and Julianne Hough "couldn't be better matched as the head of the T Birds and the sweet new girl from Utah." In conclusion, Gerald felt that he had "never seen a more inventive interplay between a show and just enough of the mechanics of the deal to make it all the more engaging. That, and the audience that played its essential part in moving Grease Live along with enthusiastic applause replacing the dead air that followed key moments in the earlier live broadcasts, set a new standard for this kind of presentation that will be tough to top."
Variety{{'}}s Maureen Ryan felt that the performance of Hough and Tveit was weak, explaining that "when Danny has all the presence of a glass of milk and even the black-clad Sandy of the final scenes exudes all the sexual danger of a church choir director, well, rest assured that those concerned about the Grease legacies of Travolta and Olivia Newton-John have nothing to worry about." Despite this and other shortcomings, such as audio issues during "Hopelessly Devoted to You", and the "surreality" of the audience's presence in certain scenes, Ryan felt Grease Live got "most of the big things right", and that "by incorporating a live audience, using creative staging and employing energetic camera work", the production "boasted an impressive sense of momentum and even spontaneity." Of the individual performances, Ryan praised Keke Palmer's, Hudgens', and Carly Rae Jepsen's vocal performances, Elle McLemore's "simply terrific" Patty, Kether Donahue's "infectious joy", and Ana Gasteyer's "beautifully droll timing" as Principal McGee. She concluded that "If Fox can get the lead casting right in future and snag Kail again, audiences will surely be hopelessly devoted to the network's next live endeavor."{{cite web|last1=Ryan|first1=Maureen|title=TV Review: 'Grease Live!'|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/grease-live-review-fox-julianne-hough-aaron-tveit-1201693411|website=Variety|date=February 2016|access-date=February 1, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202093558/http://variety.com/2016/tv/reviews/grease-live-review-fox-julianne-hough-aaron-tveit-1201693411/|url-status=live}} Writing in USA Today, Robert Bianco noted various positive and negative aspects of the broadcast. While he praised performances by the supporting cast, he lamented "the progressive dumbing-down of the material. A Broadway musical that originally spoofed our rose-tinted-glasses view of the '50s has turned into a nostalgic wallow, leaving the show with an odd mix of tones – and in this particular version, a book that sometimes seemed to get lost between songs and inside jokes. ... it was often so flatly acted" that the "kinetic", "visually impressive" musical numbers came as a "much-needed relief". Nevertheless, he felt that the production "sprang to life at the end."{{cite web |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/columnist/2016/01/31/review-grease-live-fox-musical-tv/79614800/ |title=Review: Visually impressive 'Grease: Live!' still slips |last=Bianco |first=Robert |date=January 31, 2016 |website=USA Today |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709092334/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/columnist/2016/01/31/review-grease-live-fox-musical-tv/79614800/ |url-status=live }}
=Ratings=
Grease Live was seen by 12.18 million viewers, with a 4.3/13 share in the 18–49 demographic, making it the most-watched program of the night. The special brought Fox its best ratings of the 2015–16 television season since the second season premiere of Empire in September 2015, which was seen by 16.18 million viewers. The overall and demographic ratings also beat NBC's December 2015 presentation of The Wiz Live!, with 6% higher viewership overall, and 30% higher 18-49 ratings. While both competed against NFL games, The Wiz competed against a regular-season Thursday Night Football game on CBS, and Grease against the Pro Bowl on ESPN. Over 1.2 million Twitter posts were made throughout the airing, with most providing condolences for Hudgens' father.{{cite web|title='Grease Live' Demo Ratings Close In On 'Sound Of Music Live!' – Update|url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/grease-live-ratings-vanessa-hudgens-fox-probowl-the-wiz-thes-sound-of-music-1201694028/|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 2016|access-date=February 1, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202092232/http://deadline.com/2016/02/grease-live-ratings-vanessa-hudgens-fox-probowl-the-wiz-thes-sound-of-music-1201694028/|url-status=live}} An encore of Grease Live on March 27, 2016, Easter Sunday,{{cite web|title=FOX to Air Special 'Tweet Along' Encore of GREASE: LIVE This Sunday|url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/FOX-to-Air-Special-Tweet-Along-Encore-of-GREASE-LIVE-This-Sunday-20160325|website=broadwayworld.com|access-date=March 26, 2016|archive-date=March 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160326200307/http://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/FOX-to-Air-Special-Tweet-Along-Encore-of-GREASE-LIVE-This-Sunday-20160325|url-status=live}} was seen by 1.54 million viewers.{{cite web|title=Sunday final ratings: '60 Minutes' adjusts up, everything else holds|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/03/29/sunday-final-ratings-march-27-2016/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331230604/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2016/03/29/sunday-final-ratings-march-27-2016/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 31, 2016|author=Rick Porter|website=TV by the Numbers|access-date=March 30, 2016}}
TiVo Inc. estimated that Hudgens' solo of "There Are Worse Things I Could Do" was the most replayed scene of the special.{{cite web|title=Vanessa Hudgens' Heartbreaking Solo Leads 10 Most Re-Watched 'Grease: Live' Moments|url=https://www.thewrap.com/grease-live-vanessa-hudgens-there-are-worse-things-i-could-do/|website=TheWrap|date=February 2016|access-date=February 2, 2016|archive-date=February 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202021559/http://www.thewrap.com/grease-live-vanessa-hudgens-there-are-worse-things-i-could-do/|url-status=live}}
=Accolades=
International broadcasts
In Canada, Grease Live was aired by CTV, in simulcast with the Fox broadcast.{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2016/01/31/tv-tonight-jan-31-grease-is-the-show-live.html |title=TV Tonight, Jan. 31: Grease is the show, live |last=Yeo |first=Debra |date=January 31, 2016 |work=Toronto Star |access-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131150615/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2016/01/31/tv-tonight-jan-31-grease-is-the-show-live.html |url-status=live }} The special aired on February 2 in Australia (Nine Network),{{cite web |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/whats-on-tv-tuesday-grease-live-20160131-gmhypa.html |title=What's on TV Tuesday: Grease: Live |last=Pobjie |first=Bob |date=February 1, 2016 |website=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-date=February 2, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202214036/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/whats-on-tv-tuesday-grease-live-20160131-gmhypa.html |url-status=live }} February 3 in the United Kingdom (ITV2),{{cite press release |title=ITV2 to air Paramount Television's star-studded Production GREASE: LIVE. |date=January 27, 2016 |publisher=ITV |url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv2-air-paramount-televisions-star-studded-production-grease-live |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514162157/https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-releases/itv2-air-paramount-televisions-star-studded-production-grease-live |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/global/paramount-musical-grease-live-uk-broadcaster-itv-1201689838/ |title=Paramount Musical 'Grease: Live' to Air on U.K. Broadcaster ITV |last=Baraclough |first=Leo |date=January 27, 2016 |website=Variety |access-date=December 3, 2017 |archive-date=August 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816032126/http://variety.com/2016/tv/global/paramount-musical-grease-live-uk-broadcaster-itv-1201689838/ |url-status=live }} February 5 in New Zealand (TV3),{{cite web |url=http://www.tv3.co.nz/GREASELIVE-Is-Coming-To-Our-Screens/tabid/2983/articleID/123263/Default.aspx |title=GREASE:LIVE Is Coming To Our Screens |date=February 3, 2016 |website=www.tv3.co.nz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811191041/http://www.tv3.co.nz/GREASELIVE-Is-Coming-To-Our-Screens/tabid/2983/articleID/123263/Default.aspx |archive-date=August 11, 2016 |url-status=dead |access-date=December 3, 2017}} February 7 in Norway (FEM),{{cite web |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Paramount-TVs-GREASE-LIVE-Tops-17-Million-Viewers-Worldwide-20160205 |title=Paramount TV's GREASE: LIVE Tops 17 Million Viewers Worldwide |date=February 5, 2016 |website=Broadway World |access-date=December 3, 2017 |quote=GREASE: LIVE is scheduled to air [...] channel FEM in Norway on Feb 7th |archive-date=April 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404193546/http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Paramount-TVs-GREASE-LIVE-Tops-17-Million-Viewers-Worldwide-20160205 |url-status=live }} February 20 in Denmark (TV2 Fri),{{Cite web |title = Grease Live! |url = http://www.tvguide.dk/programmer/TV2_FRI/2016-02-20/21:50/Grease_Live%3F/30867189 |access-date = February 20, 2016 |language=da |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170218124601/http://www.tvguide.dk/programmer/TV2_FRI/2016-02-20/21:50/Grease_Live%3F/30867189 |archive-date = February 18, 2017 |url-status = dead |df = mdy-all }} and in Italy August 21 (dubbed) (Rai 4).{{Cite web |title = Rai 4: Il Musical Grease Live! |url = http://www.ufficiostampa.rai.it/dl/UfficioStampa/Articoli/IL-MUSICAL-GREASE-LIVE-1f11cf47-7456-4fe4-93db-736884415c37.html |website = www.ufficiostampa. rai.it |language = it |access-date = February 12, 2016 |archive-date = June 28, 2016 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160628030635/http://www.ufficiostampa.rai.it/dl/UfficioStampa/Articoli/IL-MUSICAL-GREASE-LIVE-1f11cf47-7456-4fe4-93db-736884415c37.html |url-status = live }} In Latin America, it was broadcast by FOX Family on April 24, 2016, (dubbed). It was broadcast in Sweden by the public service network (SVT1) on June 12, 2016. It was broadcast in The Netherlands by RTL 8 on July 22, 2016.{{Cite web |url=http://musicalvibes.ovh/grease-live-bij-rtl-8/ |title=Grease Live! bij RTL 8 |date=July 18, 2016 |language=nl |access-date=December 3, 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In Singapore, it was broadcast on Mediacorp Channel 5 on Christmas night, December 25, 2016. In France, it was broadcast on 6ter on December 26, 2016.{{cite web |url=http://video.lefigaro.fr/tvmag/video/grease-live-vf-diffuse-le-26-12-16-a-20h55-sur-6ter/5257039789001/ |title=Grease : Live ! - VF - Diffusé le 26/12/16 à 20h55 sur 6TER |language=fr |publisher=Le Figaro |access-date=April 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170507192532/http://video.lefigaro.fr/tvmag/video/grease-live-vf-diffuse-le-26-12-16-a-20h55-sur-6ter/5257039789001/ |archive-date=May 7, 2017 |url-status=dead }}
Home media
Grease Live was released on DVD and Digital HD, on March 8, 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/GREASE-LIVE-Now-Available-on-Digital-HD-Coming-to-DVD-38-20160203 |title=GREASE LIVE! Now Available on Digital HD; Coming to DVD 3/8! |publisher=Broadway World |date=February 3, 2016 |access-date=April 5, 2017 |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310120746/http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/GREASE-LIVE-Now-Available-on-Digital-HD-Coming-to-DVD-38-20160203 |url-status=live }} It was included in the 40th anniversary collection Blu-ray alongside Grease and Grease 2, which was released on April 24, 2018.{{cite news |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/paramount-preps-40th-anniversary-edition-of-grease/ |title=Paramount Preps 40th Anniversary Edition of 'Grease' |last=Arnold |first=Thomas K. |date=February 2, 2018 |work=Media Play News |access-date=November 26, 2018 |archive-date=September 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200919081610/https://www.mediaplaynews.com/paramount-preps-40th-anniversary-edition-of-grease/ |url-status=live }}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|4366830}}
- {{Rotten Tomatoes|grease_live}}
- {{Metacritic television}}
{{Fox Live}}
{{Grease}}
{{EmmyAward VarietySpecial (Live)}}
{{Portal bar|Music|Television|Theatre|United States}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grease Live}}
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