WIZ LIVE's Kenny Leon Offered GREASE: LIVE's Thomas Kail Running Critique During Live Broadcast

It has now been established that FOX's GREASE: LIVE was a bona fide hit, with over 12 million viewers tuning in for the live musical broadcast. One such viewer was THE WIZ LIVE director Kenny Leon who, according to The Hollywood Reporter, texted his running critique to GREASE: LIVE helmer Thomas Kail!

"For that particular musical - how they shot it, how they did it on multiple stages - the cinematic energy he had was really great to watch," Leon told THR while in rehearsals for his new off-Broadway play SMART PEOPLE.

Leon shares that while he gives a big thumbs up to the musical's opening number, featuring Jessie J strolling through the set and meeting up with cast members, he was less enthused with the network's backstage updates. "I didn't care so much about Mario Lopez between scenes, but that's just me," he joked.

Overall, the HOLLER IF YA HEAR ME helmer enjoyed the show immensely, commenting that Kail "elevated the art form of musicals on live television, and that's important. He did a great job and I was real proud of him, and proud of the industry. I love to see so many theater artists get an opportunity to tell a story differently."

He also revealed he'd jump at the opportunity to helm another live musical, but cautions it's not as easy as it appears on TV. "It's much more challenging and difficult than it seems. You really have to have the amount of time and resources to allow you to make these creative choices to have it shine, because so much can go wrong on the night. It really is live."

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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