Following in the footsteps of NBC’s “Peter Pan: Live,” FOX has announced “Dancing With the Stars” judge Julianne Hough and “High School Musical” star Vanessa Hudgens are set to star in “Grease: Live.”
The two will play Sandy and Rizzo in the live musical event for the network being produced by Marc Platt (“Into The Woods”). “Grease: Live” will be a live television production of “Grease” that will provide a new take on the classic musical for a new generation.
“‘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,” Hough says in a statement. “My siblings and I watched it and played it out over and over when we were kids. 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.”
Adds Hudgens, “Being Rizzo is something I’ve never imagined, and I love that because it will be a new challenge. 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!”
“Grease: Live” is set to air January 31, 2016 on FOX.
As BroadwayWorld previously reported, High School Musical’s Vanessa Hudgens is coming to Broadway in the upcoming Broadway revival of Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s Gigi. The production will open in a pre-Broadway tryout at the Kennedy Center. According to the Washington Post, Hudgens had a head cold on the first day of rehearsal, but never considered skipping the first rehearsal because of it. Hudgens said, “You can’t miss the first day of school.”
The article also quoted cast members praising Hudgens’ attitude and disposition. Tony Award winner Victoria Clark commented, “She is literally the warmest, sweetest person in the world.”
Set in the magical world of La Belle Epoque in turn-of-the-century Paris, Gigi is a timeless romantic comedy about a young woman groomed in the custom of her family to be a companion to a bored, wealthy playboy, until the two unexpectedly realize this is in fact true love.
This year marks the 40th Anniversary of the debut of Gigi on Broadway. Lerner and Loewe’s Tony Award-winning score was first heard in the 9-time Academy Award-winning Best Picture of the same name, directed by Vincente Minnelli. The movie, which was the last of the classic MGM musicals, was based on the Broadway play by Anita Loos and the popular novella by Colette.
To bring in the new year, we have a lovely new design by Evening Star Designs for our main site. The gallery will take just a bit longer to get a new layout up, but I hope you all love the new site design as much as I do!
I have added over 200 photos of Vanessa from today’s Gigi preview to the gallery.
Gallery Link:
Appearances and Events > Events from 2014 > December 22: Gigi’ Broadway Press Preview
I have added images of Vanessa from her last three events to our gallery.
Gallery Link:
Appearances and Events > Events from 2014 > September 27: Benefit Cosmetic’s 1st Annual National Wing Women Weekend VIP Launch Event
Appearances and Events > Events from 2014 > October 3: Knott’s Scary Farm Celebrity VIP Opening
Appearances and Events > Events from 2014 > October 11: Global Green USA 10th Anniversary Celebration Of The Gorgeous & Green Gala
I have added over 100 high quality images of Vanessa from the Point Foundation’s Voices On Point Gala last evening to our gallery.
Gallery Link:
Appearances and Events > Events from 2014 > September 13: Point Foundation’s Voices On Point Gala
Vanessa Hudgens is moving from high school musicals to the big leagues.
Producers announced on Wednesday that the High School Musical star will take on the title role in the new production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s Gigi, which will play at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. from Jan. 16-Feb. 12 ahead of a planned 2015 Broadway run.
“I started performing in musicals from a young age, and it has always been my dream to be on Broadway,” Hudgens said in a statement. “I cannot wait to get back on stage, singing and dancing these songs and living in Gigi’s glamorous world.”
Hudgens played the role in a private industry workshop of the musical, which took place over the summer in New York. The workshop also featured Newsies star Corey Cott and Tony-winner Victoria Clark, though additional casting for the Kennedy Center and Broadway runs of the musical has not been announced.
“We absolutely fell in love with Vanessa and we know that audiences will too,” producer Jenna Segal said in a statement. “She has a huge worldwide following, and it’s easy to understand why, once you see her on stage. She just has that special something, and we’re thrilled to have her with us to bring our new Gigi to life.”
Audrey Hepburn played the role in Anita Loos’ play adaptation of the novel by Colette in 1951 on Broadway, and Lerner and Loewe, known for My Fair Lady, adapted the material into a movie musical for MGM in 1958, which won nine Academy Awards including Best Picture. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1973, winning the Tony Award for Best Score.
This revival includes a new adaptation by British playwright Heidi Thomas, and the production will feature songs from the movie which were not included in its initial Broadway production.
“I have been living with Colette’s feisty, elegant, feline Gigi in my imagination for a long time now — and in Vanessa Hudgens, she is finally made flesh,” said Thomas.
Kitchen Sink (2015)
