Fox's 'Grease': Live Version Of Musical To Air In 2015

[jacobsnchz14]

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.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:36pm

I think this is fantastic. I love that networks are going to be competing for live televised musicals!

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:41pm

Completely agree Jordan!

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:45pm

It made me laugh when I saw the headline though. I'm glad that we're getting live musicals on television, but it just seems so formulaic as if a group of Fox executives were sitting around a table pissed that NBC got such high ratings for The Sound of Music so they tossed around ideas on how to top them and came up with this.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:45pm

I wonder if they'll neuter it.

As fantastic a trend as this could be, it would really suck if the networks do the high school versions instead of the original material.

[DAME]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:46pm

Excellent! I wonder since it is FOX if there will be a American Idol tie in?

I am just talking out of my ass...... so happy Musicals are thriving in all mediums.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:51pm

Since this is Fox's first step into doing this, it makes perfect sense for them to do something as popular as GREASE. I wouldn't think they'd want to start off with ONCE ON THIS ISLAND.

And I personally would also love maybe next Christmas, for the networks to do either WHITE CHRISTMAS or A CHRISTMAS STORY.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:51pm

Of course they'll do some variation of the school version. I very much doubt the network would allow "She's a real **** wagon," "You know that ain't no ****/I'll be getting lots of tit" and so on.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:52pm

I think it's a smart choice for Fox's demographic. It fits with their branding. Perhaps we'll see ABC tackle a live Disney musical. And with any luck, CBS will do 70, GIRLS, 70!!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:53pm

I think it's fabulous. Yes, the cast will probably be a mixed bag, can it be worse than Carrie Underwood? Probably not worse, but equally bad, which is whatever. Once you get past that, it's just exciting to see stage musicals getting national attention like this.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:54pm

Well Carrie Underwood is actually a great choice for Sandy.

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:54pm

Yes! 70s, Girls, 70. Paging Betty White!

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:55pm

Speaking of NBC. I believe word on casting should be coming in the next couple of months.

[madbrian]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:55pm

From the article: "...and we're going to give it the kind of star power...". I wonder if that means they'll cast it older than high school age, because other than maybe Cha Cha or Vince Fontaine, I don't see how to fit stars into this.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:55pm

Zac Efron could be Danny.

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:56pm

I swear I've never been so underwhelmed. After two reality shows and a major Glee storyline, do we really need to go back to this musical again?

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:56pm

I love this! I am way more excited about this than I am with yet another TV musical version of Peter Pan.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 2:57pm

Zac would be amazing but I don't think he'd do it.

But I'm still gonna hope.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 3:01pm

If they can get Taylor Swift to sign on (not who Id prefer but Im just saying...) they'll get Zac Efron.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 3:04pm

I wonder if they'll try to tie this in with American Idol somehow...maybe we'll be seeing a lot of former American Idol contestants in this?

Might they trod out Taylor Hicks as the Teen Angel again?

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 3:04pm

I want Katharine McPhee as Sandy and Megan Hilty as Rizzo!

[DAME]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 3:05pm

"Zac would be amazing but I don't think he'd do it. "

Why not? His name has already been thrown in the hat for this summers "HAIR" at the Hollywood Bowl. Why would you think he wouldn't do it?

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 3:05pm

Really Whizzer?

[DAME]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 3:08pm

@Adam.. I actually saw Taylor Hicks do it the last time it toured. I didn't mind it. I hated the tour. But I didn't mind him.

Updated On: 4/28/14 at 03:08 PM

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 4/28/14 at 3:09pm

Ha, I'm only half serious. Did you catch McPhee's performance in "In My Dreams" two weekends ago? It was tragically awful- though the script didn't do anyone any favors.