Hough, Hudgens to Star in ‘Grease: Live’
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Fox’s live adaptation of Broadway hit Grease has found its Sandy, its Rizzo and its air date.
Julianne Hough will play Sandy, Rydell High’s newest student, and Vanessa Hudgens will play Rizzo in the network’s three-hour, live musical, set to air Jan. 31, 2016, a Sunday, at 7 p.m. ET/delayed PT.
Marc Platt (Into the Woods) will produce the event, which follows NBC’s hit Sound of Music Live and December’s less successful follow-up, Peter Pan Live.
“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,” said Hough in a statement announcing the casting timed to the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour Saturday. “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.”
Though she’s best known for Dancing With the Stars, she has acted in films such as Rock of Ages.
“Being Rizzo is something I’ve never imagined, and I love that because it will be a new challenge,” said Hudgens (High School Musical). “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!”
NBC Friday said it plans to pick between The Wiz and The Music Man for its next live musical, due in December.
