The size of it all: FOX did something that NBC has yet to do when it comes to staging a live musical, and that’s making it an experience. And they came to the show and watched in a trailer live on the Warners lot. Her brightest moment came when she performed a showstopping version of “There Are Worst Things I Could Do”.
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PG / Splash News/PG / Splash News Julianne Hough and Aaron Tveit during Sunday night’s “Grease: Live” performance.
“Grease: Live” maintained a solid social-media presence throughout its television broadcast, with an endless stream of tweets, retweets and Facebook posts appearing steadily during its three hours.
Hudgens also received an outpouring of support from costars and fans who were astounded by her performance and professionalism.
Vanessa Hudgens announced the death of his father via Twitter on Sunday, adding that she would dedicate her performance in his honor. Umbrellas were at the ready for Jessie J’s opening “Grease is The Word” number; a tent was set up over Rydell High to protect the set during the pep rally scene.
Unlike the last live musical to air on TV – Peter Pan starring Girls’ Allison Williams as Peter (yes. we know) – Grease Live! brought on serious ratings for the network, and for good reason.
Grease: Live has set a new standard for what live theatrical events can be. At the end of the night, after a full Broadway-style curtain call, the cast danced and laughed and celebrated a job well done, and the viewers did too.
Former Fox chief Kevin Reilly first greenlit Grease Live back in April of 2014. “I hate cancer with every cell of my being”, she said before dedicating her Breakthrough Performer award to her loved ones and all cancer suffers.
Many fans and celebs were right behind her. The song fit effortlessly into the story, recrafted by Jonathan Tolins and Robert Cary, and helped introduce Grammy-winners Boyz II Men as a trio of Teen Angels harmonizing throughout “Beauty School Drop Out”. “Freddy, My Love”, “Those Magic Changes” and “It’s Raining on Prom Night” brought the Broadway play to the live stage of Hollywood.
Original “Grease” stars Didi Conn, who played Frenchy, and Barry Pearl, who co-starred as Doody, also made cameos.
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Grease: Live’s executive producer, Marc Platt, was effusive in his praise for Vanessa Hudgen’s performance.
