FOX Plans Grease Live Broadcast

LOS ANGELES: FOX is prepping a three-hour live production based on the musical Grease for its 2015 schedule.

Tentatively titled Grease Live, the live broadcast will reintroduce the music and story of the iconic production to a new generation. It is based on the 1971 Broadway musical of the same name, and the subsequent 1978 feature film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John that grossed $400 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing movie musical ever.

Grease Live will be a Paramount Television production.

“From Broadway to film, and across generations, Grease is one of the most beloved musical stories ever told—and we can't wait to bring it to our air in a spectacular live event,” said Shana C. Waterman, the senior VP of event series for FOX. “Its iconic characters and addictive songs make it the perfect fit for FOX, and we’re going to give it the kind of star power and production quality to make every Sandy, Danny, Rizzo and Kenickie out there want to get up and sing along.”

“It’s incredibly exciting to have one of our first major network productions be based on this universally celebrated Paramount title, and we’re thrilled to be partnering with Kevin, Joe and Shana on this epic television event,” said Amy Powell, the president of Paramount TV. “FOX's passion for engaging audiences with bold storytelling and live musical formats make it a perfect home for this special broadcast.”