#1
Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:32pm
http://variety.com/2014/tv/news/fox-grease-live-version-musical-1201165816/
Score one for those hopelessly devoted to movie musicals: Fox has added a three-hour live production of “Grease” to its 2015 calendar, Fox Chairman of Entertainment Kevin Reilly announced today.
Currently titled “Grease Live,” this production of the iconic Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs musical about 1950s high schoolers will feature an as-yet-to-be-named young ensemble cast. The 1978 film version, which starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John and was directed Randal Kleiser, grossed nearly $400 million worldwide.
“From Broadway to film, and across generations, ‘Grease’ is one of the most beloved musical stories ever told — and we can’t wait to bring it to our air in a spectacular live event,” said Shana C. Waterman, Senior Vice President of Event Series for Fox. “Its iconic characters and addictive songs make it the perfect fit for FOX, and we’re going to give it the kind of star power and production quality to make every Sandy, Danny, Rizzo and Kenickie out there want to get up and sing along.”
Fox’s project will draw inevitable comparisons to NBC’s recent live adaptation of “The Sound of Music,” which was a ratings — although not necessarily a critical — hit for the rival network. At the time, Variety TV critic Brian Lowry penned a list of 10 things to consider for the next live TV musical.
Score one for those hopelessly devoted to movie musicals: Fox has added a three-hour live production of “Grease” to its 2015 calendar, Fox Chairman of Entertainment Kevin Reilly announced today.
Currently titled “Grease Live,” this production of the iconic Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs musical about 1950s high schoolers will feature an as-yet-to-be-named young ensemble cast. The 1978 film version, which starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John and was directed Randal Kleiser, grossed nearly $400 million worldwide.
“From Broadway to film, and across generations, ‘Grease’ is one of the most beloved musical stories ever told — and we can’t wait to bring it to our air in a spectacular live event,” said Shana C. Waterman, Senior Vice President of Event Series for Fox. “Its iconic characters and addictive songs make it the perfect fit for FOX, and we’re going to give it the kind of star power and production quality to make every Sandy, Danny, Rizzo and Kenickie out there want to get up and sing along.”
Fox’s project will draw inevitable comparisons to NBC’s recent live adaptation of “The Sound of Music,” which was a ratings — although not necessarily a critical — hit for the rival network. At the time, Variety TV critic Brian Lowry penned a list of 10 things to consider for the next live TV musical.
