Look at me, I'm Sandra Dee! Julianne Hough lands lead in FOX's live Grease musical... as Vanessa Hudgens signs on to play Rizzo
NBC’s televised live musicals, The Sound Of Music and Peter Pan, debuted to fabulous ratings.
Now FOX is following suit by airing a live musical version of Grease.
And surely piquing viewer interest will be its lead female stars, Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens, who have been cast as good girl Sandy and the rebellious Rizzo, respectively.
Congrats! Julianne Hough and Vanessa Hudgens have been cast as good girl Sandy and the rebellious Rizzo, respectively, in FOX's upcoming live musical production of Grease
The three-hour live broadcast will air on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 7pm EST.
Julianne, 26, gushed over her new role in a statement: ‘Grease is one of the movies that made me want to be an entertainer, and I have literally been waiting my whole life to play Sandy.
‘This is my dream role and performing it live on television will be one of the most thrilling opportunities I've had in my career so far.’
Vanessa, 26, stated: ‘Being Rizzo is something I’ve never imagined, and I love that because it will be a new challenge.
Big hit: The 1978 film starred Olivia Newton-John (middle) as Sandy and Stockard Channing as Rizzo (right)
‘She is such an iconic character that continues to transcend generations. I cannot wait to bring her to life on live television. I'm going to be a Pink Lady!’
Casting for leading man Danny is yet to be announced. Grease made its Broadway premiere in 1972, with a film adaptation that debuted in 1978.
The movie raked in almost $400 million worldwide, becoming the highest grossing musical of all time.
It starred Olivia Newton-John as Sandy, Stockard Channing as Rizzo, and John Travolta as male lead Danny.
Gal pals: In Grease, Sandy (left) befriends the Pink Ladies – one of whom is Rizzo – the female companions to the greasers, the group her love interest is a part of
In Grease, good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fall in love over the summer. They then unexpectedly discover they are attending the same high school.
Sandy must figure out how to fit into Danny’s world as Danny transcends his social clique in order to be with Sandy.
Along the way, Sandy befriends the Pink Ladies – one of whom is Rizzo – the female companions to the greasers.
Meanwhile, NBC is gearing up for its next live musical productions, having recently acquired the rights to The Wiz and Music Man.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2914781/Julianne-Hough-lands-lead-FOX-s-live-Grease-musical-Vanessa-Hudgens-signs-play-Rizzo.html#ixzz3P7Tpja9y
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