Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:03pm
All in all an excellent performance tonight, despite a few technical glitches. THAT is how you do a LIVE show. Also did anyone else see that at the end of the credits, they dedicated the performance to Vanessa's father. I thought that was really sweet.
I'm looking forward to getting the DVD. Hopefully they'll fix the sound issues for it.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:03pm
What a fun broadcast! I thought for certain that second tram was going to tip over when it hit the curb.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:04pm
I think Fox just absolutely NAILED IT. It has blown all of NBC's attempts out of the water.. I hope NBC can step it up with Hairspray, because Grease Live was phenomenal! They really showed innovation, incredible camera work, fluidity, and in general the cast was stellar..
OH and respect for the CURTAIN CALL that celebrated EVERYONE!!
Thank you Tommy Kail.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:04pm
justincharacter said: "Oh wow. When and what is the next one FOX?
"
Apparently, The Passion, which looks like it's going to be the tackiest thing ever.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:04pm
ljay889 said: "Truly wonderful! I wonder if NBC will rethink their "stage production" style that they used for THE WIZ. "
Interesting question. The production values on this were really excellent. The group I watched it with did spend some time discussing what, if anything, was gained by it being live.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:05pm
Fox>>>>>>NBC.
Brava to the whole cast & crew for a wonderful night & well-casted performances. EVERYONE did excellent!
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:07pm
indytallguy said: "ljay889 said: "Truly wonderful! I wonder if NBC will rethink their "stage production" style that they used for THE WIZ. "
Interesting question. The production values on this were really excellent. The group I watched it with did spend some time discussing what, if anything, was gained by it being live.
"
I think live gives it that thrill of live theatre, that energy that television and movies can lack.. Once the train starts, their is no stopping or turning back.. It adds and edge, and it really can get the audience invested, knowing anything could happen at the next turn.. And the fact it was so well rehearsed that at times you could forget it was live really says a lot about the people who planned this out. BRAVO
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:08pm
AKarp2013 said: "All in all an excellent performance tonight, despite a few technical glitches. THAT is how you do a LIVE show. Also did anyone else see that at the end of the credits, they dedicated the performance to Vanessa's father. I thought that was really sweet.
I'm looking forward to getting the DVD. Hopefully they'll fix the sound issues for it.
March 8th for DVD release, I believe :)
"
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:09pm
I am hoping Tommy Kail does the next one. That man is a genius! I am still in shock at how this turned out!
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:09pm
Wow! The energy! totally won over- this is live like it is meant to be- glitches and all. NBC the bar just went WAAAAAAY high! Step up or out.
Loved the finale- AND the curtain call.
Oh and Julianne actually made slutty seem- cute!
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:09pm
Best Live ever. Raised the bar. Game breaking. NBC is going to have to pull out all the stops next time.
Julianne, Vannessa, Aaron and Co must be so so proud.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:11pm
That was EPIC!
The cast was stellar, and major props to Julianne Hough, who I doubted, but she ended up delivering an extremely enjoyable performance, and especially Vanessa Hudgens, who was absolutely wonderful, and I hope we see her in more musicals!
Aaron Tveit was pretty great as well, especially considering the tremendous shadow he had to find a way to step out of.
Keke Palmer was hammy and over-the-top, and I loved every second of it--it was perfect for the character, and "Freddy, My Love" was a definite highlight!
The production values were top-notch--I did get a little annoyed by the constant fourth-wall breaks, but I felt that it worked really well for "We Go Together"!
Speaking of that carnival scene, I'm a little disappointed they didn't perform "You're the One that I Want" outside--the weather seemed like a non-issue during "We Go Together", so why didn't they perform the most popular song in the most epic setting?
This was a incredible, and yes, NBC has a lot to top!
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:12pm
Wow. OK, this was spectacular. It is a bit unfair to compare it to NBC's productions, all of which were shot on a stage a bit smaller the the gym set in this production. I thought the live audience seemed forced, they could have used canned laughter and applause. It seemed that way regardless with the live audience. There was no laughter during Ana's bits or the other scripted jokes.
I understand, because of the wide shots, the audience were not allowed to see monitors but their responses were too loud when they were prompted.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:14pm
This was amazing. I loved how they were like, "We are live, we are going to show we are live." It was great!
Cannot express how much I loved this. NBC better step their game up, cause this was 1000000x better!
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:16pm
Im wondering if they planned to do YTOTIW outside since they had a full carnival, but moved inside just in case?
I was worried during the singing and driving though. That looked dangerous, but really added to the adrenaline!!!!
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:16pm
Little Shop of Horrors would be a great choice for Fox to do, and I love the thought of Carly Rae Jepsen playing Audrey--Julianne Hough might even be a good choice to use again, as well.
I also think that West Side Story could be epic as long as they don't use those "hype-it-up" bits before the commercials.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:17pm
Overall this was really good. While I did think Aaron was a bit underwhelming, the cast as a whole did such a terrific job. Can't wait to see how Fox handles Rocky Horror.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:17pm
I really think Fox would do an amazing job with Bye Bye Birdie, but it might be too similar to Grease. I would love a live West Side Story, but I can't imagine a show with multiple murders and an attempted rape landing well on primetime TV.
Updated On: 1/31/16 at 10:17 PM
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:18pm
I am literally in tears...of joy. The respect that was taken for this particular show...the production, the technical, the casting, the execution of it all.Beyond amazing. It was a job more than well done! This production has set the bar WAY HIGH for future live musical television events..and here it is...once again....a little musical called GREASE...who went on to become one of the longest running musicals on Broadway and then become one of the most successful movie musicals in motion picture history....to then go on and break new ground in the live television musical event genre! GREASE cannot be stopped. GREASE is legendary!
Updated On: 1/31/16 at 10:18 PM
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:19pm
Did not have high expectations for this but I actually really enjoyed it! Most of the casting was good. I was dreading Julianne Hough as Sandy but was pleasantly surprised by her performance.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:20pm
I think big ensemble shows do better. Little Shop would be really flat on TV I fear. Dance numbers and energy translate well.
To the detractors of Aaron, I think he slayed. He sings well and his physicality was impressive. He delivered in all the dance numbers. He may have read too old but look at the damn movie on bluray. Same thing.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:23pm
I feel like I'm in the minority here. I did enjoy it, but it wasn't fantastic. Like the musical numbers were great. I will give them that. I hated Julianne Hough though. I didn't care for her acting or singing. And I personally don't think the live audience was necessary. I actually found that aspect a little distracting at times. I also think the new song for Frenchy wasn't necessary since it went straight into Beauty School Dropout.
And with that I will sit here and wait to be called a hater.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:23pm
ljay889 said: "I really think Fox would do an amazing job with Bye Bye Birdie, but it might be too similar to Grease. I would love a live West Side Story, but I can't imagine a show with multiple murders and an attempted rape landing well on primetime TV.
"
Eh. They're going to do Rocky Horror, and many consider West Side Story to be a classic and may be willing to overlook those aspects, so you never know!
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:23pm
No, unlike the 'live' episodes of WILL & GRACE and 30 ROCK which were performed twice: once for the east coast and a few hours later performed again for the west coast, GREASE: Live! will re-air a tape for the west coast of the earlier 'live' east coast telecast.
Posted: 1/31/16 at 10:24pm
I'll say it took me by surprise. I was really skeptical when I tuned in (about 45 min late) and it felt super awkward and I was ready to turn it off after 20 min. My only experience with a live show was Peter Pan (and we all know how that went...). For those saying Vanessa killed it, I concur. Her vocals impressed me in Gigi on Broadway and I was always sad that it closed so soon. Julianne sounded amazing as well. Definitely didn't needed any Carly in my life, though.
But that camerawork, man! Magical!! Also, loved the finale with the cast pouring into the streets with the live audience and the curtain call.
Also good call on Lin-Manuel Miranda live tweeting this. Definitely elevated the experience, haha.
