Now that we are a full two weeks removed from Fox's first foray into the world of live, televised musicals, I think it is time to look back at the lessons learned from GREASE: LIVE. Though I hailed it as a rousing success in my review, on Broadway Radio's 'This Week on Broadway,' and on BWW's 'Some Like it Pop' podcast, there are a fair number of critics and viewers that had perfectly reasonable hesitations. Whether it was occasional sound issues, too strict a reliance on the film for inspiration, the wonky new song, or uneven performances, I am fine with acknowledging those shortcomings; but to me, there are three things that made GREASE: LIVE the most entertaining and artistically satisfying live musical of this recently reinvigorated phenomenon.
Im Jahr 2012 hatte der amerikanische Fernsehsender NBC eine Idee, ob großenwahnsinnig oder genial, das konnte damals noch keiner sagen. Man wolle den Musical Klassiker THE SOUND OF MUSIC im Fernsehen zeigen. Nicht den weltberuhmten Film mit Julie Andrews, und auch keine gefilmte Version des Musicals (wie man das von Produktionen des National Theatre Live vielleicht aus dem Kino kennt). Nein. Die Idee war die Folgende: In einem Studio in New York sollte das Musical in einer neuen Inszenierung vor laufenden Kameras, jedoch ohne Publikum, aufgefuhrt und live im Fernsehen ubertragen werden: professionell mit Buhnenbild und Kostumen, in Echtzeit, komplett mit schnellen Kostumwechseln und Szenenumbauten. Eben ganz wie ein live Musical, nur im Studio anstatt im Theater.
Vanessa Hudgens took to Instagram yesterday to share an emotional message to her late father, Greg Hudgens, who passed away just one day before the actress took on the starring role of Rizzo in Fox's GREASE: LIVE.
In the recently edited video below, watch a split screen perspective of Associate director Carrie Havel working behind the scenes of the showstopping number 'Greased Lightnin'!
GREASE LIVE! es una produccion para television que lleva en vivo a la pequeña pantalla, por primera vez, el exitoso musical GREASE, acercando sus canciones a una nueva generacion. Esta nueva version, que se acaba de estrenar en FOX TV con un enorme exito y superando las cifras de audiencia de otros musicales emitidos con similar formato, se emitira en España el dia 11 de febrero a las 22:00 en Canal +.
FOX's GREASE: LIVE was an undeniable hit Sunday night, earning rave reviews, 12.2 million viewers and a 4.3 rating in the all-important A18-49 demographic. Much of the success had to do not just with the stars in front of the camera, but the many people behind the scenes. Below, watch a video from Associated director Carrie Havel, showing you an inside look at 'Greased Lightnin.'
FOX's GREASE:LIVE was an undeniable hit last night, earning rave reviews, 12.2 million viewers and a 4.3 rating in the all-important A18-49 demographic. Executive producer Marc Platt has a lot to be happy about today, and he spoke with the Hollywood Reporter about his big night.
In case you missed last night's GREASE: LIVE on FOX or just want to re-live the exciting broadcast, the network has just released the entire show for viewing!
Adding to the news that last night's broadcast of GREASE: LIVE was a ratings bonanza, Showbiz 411 reports that the soundtrack to FOX's live musical has debuted at number 5 on iTunes
As America tuned in by the millions to watch last night's broadcast of FOX's GREASE: LIVE, some of our favorite theater stars took to Twitter to share their thoughts and reactions to the latest interpretation of the musical classic.
The actress bravely performed her heart out on Sunday night's broadcast (click here to watch her musical performances), and the FOX network paid tribute to her father as the final credits began to roll
At the end of last night's GREASE: LIVE on FOX, the talented and hard-working cast took their well-deserved bows during a spectacular outdoor finale. Check out the photos below!
With just less than two hours before the big show, get a behind-the-scenes look at the final rehearsal moments with Aaron Tveit, Julianne Hough, Vanessa Hudgens, Keke Palmer, Carly Rae Jepsen, and the cast of GREASE: LIVE as they finish up their preparation.
Leave it to the network that reinvented television with AMERICAN IDOL and created SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, one of the most artistically significant shows in recent memory, to figure out the proper balance in merging musical theatre and live television. FOX's GREASE: LIVE learned from three years of live, middling musicals on NBC (the satisfying WIZ LIVE! notwithstanding) and produced the best, most thrilling live TV musical in half a century.
Like all theatre fans, we here at BroadwayWorld are excited to the max for Fox's broadcast of GREASE: LIVE tonight. Following in the footsteps of NBC's THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!, PETER PAN LIVE!, and THE WIZ LIVE!, Marc Platt and Thomas Kail have filled their cast with stars of both stage and screen. While not every T-Bird, Pink Lady, and denizen of Rydell High has Broadway credits on their resume, nearly all of them have some sort of theatrical related experience under their belts.
With just over 24 hours before the big day, take a trip onto the soundstage with Aaron Tveit, Julianne Hough, Vanessa Hudgens, Keke Palmer, Carly Rae Jepsen, and the cast of GREASE as they finish up their preparation.