Get out your leather jackets, bedazzled sunglasses and yippity boom de booms because this weekend, we’re heading back to Rydell High.
Fox is taking a page out of NBC’s book and putting on its first live-musical production Sunday with the ‘70s hit, Grease. The musical – first known as a stage production but most acclaimed as a film – is the 15th longest-running show on Broadway and is performed to this day at regional and high school theaters around the world.
If it wasn’t enough just to have an excuse to hear all the amazing songs again, there are so many more exciting things to look forward to with this telecast. Here are some of the reasons why, if you haven’t put it on your calendar already, you’re amoebas on fleas on rats.
You can get tickets to actually be there.
If you’re going to be in the Los Angeles area at the end of the month, then you’re in luck. Audience hopefuls can visit this website to sign up for a chance to score free tickets to the taping. Apparently, the audience will be seated on Rydell’s famous bleachers, so get your bragging cap on if you manage to land a spot.
The cast is amazing.
This show is packed with celebrities, with roles ranging from headliners to one-sceners. Actress/dancer/singer/president/scientist/pole-vaulter Julianne Hough stars as Sandy; East High alumna Vanessa Hudgens stars as Rizzo; former member of Nickelodeon’s boyband Carlos PenaVega stars as Kenickie; queen who screams Keke Palmer stars as Marty; Carly call-her-maybe Rae Jepsen stars as Frenchy; and guy-with-the-dimples Mario Lopez stars as Vince Fontaine. Whew, that’s a lot of stars.
It’s not going to be like The Wiz and The Sound of Music.
I watched The Wiz over Christmas break, and while it was a great show and wonderfully produced, I couldn’t help myself from feeling awkward whenever there was a joke or funny moment. I soon realized this was because The Wiz – like The Sound of Music – was done without a studio audience. However, this won’t be a problem for Grease (see above). Unlike its predecessors, Grease also won’t be filmed on one stage, but on many sets at the Warner Bros. lot. Logistically, it’s probably going to be a nightmare. Television-istically, it’s probably going to be amazing.
Original cast members will be there.
The film’s original Frenchy, Didi Conn, and Doody, Barry Pearl, will have parts in the live show. Conn will star as Vi, the waitress from the Frosty Palace, and Pearl will play Vince Fontaine’s manager, Mr. Weaver. Even though main cast members like Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta won’t be involved, it’ll be nice to have some of that old magic sprinkled into the new production.
DNCE, Boyz II Men and Jessie J will perform.
This part is just plain awesome. DNCE – the “Cake By The Ocean” band featuring a Jonas Brother – will star as Johnny Casino and the Gamblers, the onstage band at Rydell’s dance; Boyz II Men will play a three-part version of Frankie Avalon’s Teen Angel; and Jessie J will lead the telecast with a rendition of the opening song, “Grease (Is The Word).”
Frenchy gets a solo.
No need to fret, Jepsen fans – Frenchy is getting her own song. Tom Kitt and Brian Yorker (If/Then, Next to Normal) wrote the new tune for the beauty school dropout, so I’d bet it’s gonna be good.
A cast album will be released.
One of the best things about musicals is the cast album, and thank goodness we don’t have to beg or plead this time – it’s already being given! (Bless you, theatre gods.) The album’s already been recorded and is locked and ready to be released with the telecast.
Aaron Tveit’s in it.
You thought I forgot to name the actor starring as Danny, didn’t you? Well, jokes on you because he gets his own headline. And picture. And is last in the list. Because he’s Aaron Tveit. (YouTube him – I’ll give you $5 if you’re unenthused.)
It’s the time, it’s the place, it’s the motion – it’s the most exciting thing to happen this year. Don’t miss Grease: Live on Sunday, Jan. 31 (yes, this Sunday) at 7 p.m. on Fox.
Photo credits: justjaredjr.com, thetvaddict.com