GREASE: LIVE to Debut on CTV Before Launching Exclusively on CraveTV

Grease is the word! CTV and CraveTV(TM) have joined forces to bring GREASE: LIVE first to audiences on CTV and CTV GO and then exclusively to subscribers of premium streaming service CraveTV. The television event is the latest big-buzz title to join CTV's impressive January schedule when it airs coast-to-coast Sunday, January 31 at 7 p.m. ET live* to audiences exclusively on CTV (check local listings). Following its network debut, the special will launch exclusively Feb. 19 to subscribers of CraveTV, where it will join the very popular Music Collection.

A Paramount Television production, the first-ever live television production of Grease will draws upon both the hit crossover musical and iconic 1978 feature film to create a never-before-seen version with many modern surprises. Featuring a young ensemble cast, GREASE: LIVE will reintroduce and reimagine some of the show's most memorable moments, great music, and timeless love story to an entirely new generation.

"When it comes to event television appeal, GREASE: LIVE delivers. We are excited for CTV to be the home of such an iconic, anticipated special featuring this perfectly cast group of talented performers and are thrilled to deliver it exclusively in a fast-follow to CraveTV subscribers," said Mike Cosentino, Senior Vice-President, Programming, CTV Networks and CraveTV.

**Media Note: Download photography for GREASE: LIVE at BellMediaPR.ca

GREASE: LIVE stars Julianne Hough (Safe Haven, Rock of Ages) as the angelic Sandy - Rydell High's most talked-about newcomer; Aaron Tveit (GRACELAND, Les Miserables) as bad boy Danny Zuko; Vanessa Hudgens (Broadway's Gigi, Spring Breakers) as iconic bad girl Rizzo; Keke Palmer (SCREAM QUEENS, MASTERS OF SEX) as sassy Pink Lady Marty Maraschino; Carlos PenaVega (BIG TIME RUSH) as Kenickie, Danny's tough-guy sidekick; multi-Platinum Grammy(®) Award-nominated singer and songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen as Pink Lady and beauty school dropout Frenchy; Kether Donohue (YOU'RE THE WORST) as Pink Lady Jan; David Del Rio (Spare Parts, THE TROOP) as T-Bird Putzie; Jordan Fisher (TEEN WOLF, THE SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER) as Doody; and Andrew Call (AS THE WORLD TURNS) as Sonny.

The live event also features special cameo appearances by multi-platinum pop superstar Joe Jonas and his pop-disco band DNCE as Johnny Casino and the Gamblers; actor and television host Mario Lopez as Vince Fontaine in the iconic high school dance scene; and Grammy Award(®)-winning R&B group Boyz II Men as Teen Angel, singing "Beauty School Dropout." Plus, two stars from the original 1978 film Grease, Didi Conn (Frenchy) and Barry Pearl (Doody), will also make an appearance. English singer-songwriter Jessie J will give a live performance of the program's title track, "Grease (Is The Word)" written by Barry Gibb. Carly Rae Jepsen will also perform an original song, "All I Need Is An Angel," composed by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey.

In this live television adaptation of the musical classic, the beginning of senior year means the end of Danny (Aaron Tveit) and Sandy's (Julianne Hough) summer romance - until Sandy unexpectedly transfers to Danny's high school. Can Danny maintain his bad-boy image as the coolest member of the T-Birds, once he and Sandy start going together, and can Sandy remain a good girl after she joins the Pink Ladies? With their friends Rizzo (Vanessa Hudgens) and Kenickie (Carlos PenaVega) pulling them in different directions, it's up to Danny and Sandy to stay hopelessly devoted, as they make their way from Rydell High to a new frontier.

GREASE: LIVE is based on the original 1971 musical "Grease," by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, and Paramount Pictures' 1978 feature adaptation. The film, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, grossed nearly $400 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing movie musical ever.

GREASE: LIVE is produced by Paramount Television. Acclaimed film, television and theater producer Marc Platt (Wicked, Into the Woods) is the executive producer; Tony Award-nominated director Thomas Kail (Hamilton, In the Heights) is the director overseeing the stage direction and Alex Rudzinski (DANCING WITH THE STARS) serves as the live television director. The live television adaptation is written by Broadway writers Robert Cary (Anything but Love, Ira & Abby) and Jonathan Tolins (Buyer & Cellar, The Last Sunday in June).

Image: facebook.com/GoGrease