An all-star cast assembled on Fox to try to live up to the 1978 hit musical “Grease,” and they more than succeeded. The live television rendition of the musical debuted on Sunday night, Jan. 31. “Grease: Live” starred Julianne Hough as Sandy, Aaron Tveit as Danny and Vannessa Hudgens as Rizzo.

As is the risk with live shows, some unexpected obstacles surfaced. Rain, strong winds and technical difficulties cut sound for 20 seconds during the musical. Despite the circumstances of live television and Hudgens’ recent loss of her father, the show went on to create a memorable and exciting experience for the audience.

The thrill of Fox’s version of “Grease” came from the electrifying performances of each cast member and their ability to capture the magic of the original movie without making the performance tedious or outdated. Mario Lopez served as a commentator throughout the show, adding to the invigorating feel of a live production and the harried performers. Lopez eventually made an appearance as Vince Fontaine.

It was impossible not to feel the energy of the cast as they revived these legendary characters. KeKe Palmer was excellent as Marty, singing “Freddy, My Love” in a sparkling red gown, and Carly Rae Jepsen’s solo as Frenchie made it hard for the audience to sit still. The sets were grand, the dancing and singing infectious. You couldn’t help but tap your foot along to the beat.

Contributing to the exhilarating frenzy of the show was the unique behind-the-scenes footage displayed between commercial breaks, which showed clips of the cast jumping in and out of large golf carts that took them across the acres of Warner Brother’s back lots. These shots featured glimpses from the sets of “Pretty Little Liars,” and the revived set of “Gilmore Girls.”   

“Grease: Live” was an ambitious production that set a new standard for live musicals. From the costumes to the multiple quick set changes, the production’s moving parts moved smoothly, with only one major glitch. The audience was totally immersed in the story and lively choreography.
The ‘50s came back to life for a whole new generation that might be discovering “Grease” for the first time. This modern interpretation surpassed expectations and pleased die-hard fans with its energy. The excitement of live television and a timeless musical attracted both old and new fans.

Email Anubhuti Kumar at [email protected].