HEATHERS' Elle McLemore Joins FOX's GREASE LIVE as 'Patty Simcox'

Rydell High just gained another student! Deadline writes that Elle McLemore, star of off-Broadway's HEATHERS THE MUSICAL and Broadway's BRING IT ON, has just been tapped to play 'Patty Simcox' in Fox's GREASE: LIVE.

She will join the multi-talented ensemble cast, including Julianne Hough ("Safe Haven," "Rock of Ages") as "Sandy," Aaron Tveit ("Graceland," "Les Miserables") as "Danny," Vanessa Hudgens (Broadway's "Gigi," "Spring Breakers") as "Rizzo," Carlos PenaVega ("Spare Parts," "Big Time Rush") as "Kenickie", Keke Palmer (SCREAM QUEENS, "Masters of Sex") as "Marty", and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen as "Frenchy." Kether Donohue ("You're The Worst") rounds out the Pink Ladies as "Jan," while David Del Rio ("Spare Parts," "The Troop") will play T-Bird "Putzie."

Pop powerhouse and Grammy Award-nominated singer Jessie J will open the live event with a performance of a brand-new version of "Grease (Is the Word)," first heard in the animated opening title sequence of the 1978 film, and written by Barry Gibb.

Joining the creative team, led by executive producer Marc Platt, is "Glee" and "Annie" choreographer Zach Woodlee. His work has been seen on previous television specials, including the 100th episode of "How I Met Your Mother" and 2008's "MTV Movie Awards," as well as films "Hairspray," "27 Dresses," "17 Again," "Eat Pray Love" and more.

GREASE: LIVE, which airs Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016 (7:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX, will reintroduce and reimagine some of the show's most memorable moments, great music and timeless love story to an entirely new generation. In this live television adaptation of the musical classic, the beginning of senior year means the end of Danny and Sandy's summer romance - until Sandy unexpectedly transfers to Danny's high school. With their friends 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 a Paramount Television production. Executive-produced by Marc Platt ("Wicked," "Into the Woods"). Thomas Kail ("Hamilton," "In the Heights") is the director overseeing the stage direction and Alex Rudzinski ("Dancing with the Stars") will serve as the live television director. Broadway writers Robert Cary ("Anything but Love," "Ira & Abby") and Jonathan Tolins ("Buyer & Cellar," "The Last Sunday in June") will write the LIVE television adaptation. GREASE: LIVE is based on the original musical "Grease" by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, and Paramount Pictures' 1978 feature adaptation. It is a Paramount Television production.

"Like" GREASE: LIVE on Facebook at facebook.com/GreaseLive. Follow the series on Twitter at @GreaseLive, and Instagram @GreaseLiveFOX.