Grammy®-nominated singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen has joined the cast of FOX’s Grease Live in the role of Pink Lady Frenchy.
Also joining the ensemble are Kether Donohue and David Del Rio as membersa of Rydell High’s coolest cliques.
Jessie J will open proceedings with a performance of Grease (Is The Word.) Grease Live will air Sunday, January 31, 2016. Follow the jump for further details.
GRAMMY-NOMINATED PERFORMER CARLY RAE JEPSEN TO STAR AS “FRENCHY” IN “GREASE: LIVE,” AIRING SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016, ON FOX
KETHER DONOHUE AND DAVID DEL RIO ADDED TO RYDELL HIGH’S COOLEST CLIQUES
JESSIE J TO KICK OFF LIVE EVENT WITH PERFORMANCE OF “GREASE (IS THE WORD)”
Television and Film Choreographer Zach Woodlee to Choreograph Live Dance Performances
Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) and Paramount Television announced today that multi-Platinum Grammy® Award-nominated singer and songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen will join the cast of GREASE: LIVE as iconic Pink Lady “Frenchy.” Jepsen joins the multi-talented ensemble cast, including Julianne Hough (“Safe Haven,” “Rock of Ages”) as “Sandy,” Aaron Tveit (“Graceland,” “Les Miserables”) as “Danny,” Vanessa Hudgens (Broadway’s “Gigi,” “Spring Breakers”) as “Rizzo,” Carlos PenaVega (“Spare Parts,” “Big Time Rush”) as “Kenickie” and Keke Palmer (SCREAM QUEENS, “Masters of Sex”) as “Marty.”
Kether Donohue (“You’re The Worst”) rounds out the Pink Ladies as “Jan,” while David Del Rio (“Spare Parts,” “The Troop”) will play T-Bird “Putzie.”
Pop powerhouse and Grammy Award-nominated singer Jessie J will open the live event with a performance of a brand-new version of “Grease (Is the Word),” first heard in the animated opening title sequence of the 1978 film, and written by Barry Gibb.
Joining the creative team, led by executive producer Marc Platt, is “Glee” and “Annie” choreographer Zach Woodlee. His work has been seen on previous television specials, including the 100th episode of “How I Met Your Mother” and 2008’s “MTV Movie Awards,” as well as films “Hairspray,” “27 Dresses,” “17 Again,” “Eat Pray Love” and more.
GREASE: LIVE, which airs Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016 (7:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX, will reintroduce and reimagine some of the show’s most memorable moments, great music and timeless love story to an entirely new generation. In this live television adaptation of the musical classic, the beginning of senior year means the end of Danny and Sandy’s summer romance – until Sandy unexpectedly transfers to Danny’s high school. With their friends pulling them in different directions, it’s up to Danny and Sandy to stay hopelessly devoted as they make their way from Rydell High to a new frontier.
Multi-Platinum-selling Grammy Award-nominated singer and songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen most recently released her critically acclaimed new album, “E·MO·TION,” and premiered the video for her brand-new single, “Run Away With Me.” The first single released from the album, “I Really Like You,” became a global Top 40 hit, while the video is Vevo-certified with over 100 million views. “E·MO·TION” is the follow-up to Jepsen’s U.S. debut album, “Kiss,” which featured her blockbuster break-out hit, “Call Me Maybe.” The single climbed to No. 1 on the iTunes Singles charts in over 47 countries and has sold more than 18 million singles worldwide to date. It earned Jepsen 2012 Grammy Award nominations for Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year. “Kiss” also spawned the follow-up hit “Good Time,” a duet with Owl City, which has been certified double-Platinum. Jepsen spent much of 2014 starring in the Broadway production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “Cinderella.”
Multi-Platinum-selling Grammy Award-nominated singer and songwriter Jessie J has quickly become the consummate 21st century superstar and a palpable and powerful pop culture force. In 2011, her full-length debut album, “Who You Are,” heralded the songstress’ arrival as a worldwide icon. It debuted in the Top 15 on the Billboard Top 200, including hits “Price Tag (featuring B.o.B)” and “Domino,” her biggest solo U.S. hit to date, reaching double-Platinum. To date, her album sales exceed three million and single sales surpass 20 million and counting. She has received the prestigious BRIT Award for “Critics’ Choice,” as well as a Grammy Award nomination in 2012. She also served as the 2012 London Olympic Games Ambassador and the BBC crowned her with the high honor of Sound of 2011. In July 2014, Jessie J teamed up with rising diva Ariana Grande and rap’s reigning queen, Nicki Minaj, for “Bang Bang.” Immediately, the track captured the No. 1 spot on iTunes overall Top Songs chart and it has gone Platinum four times over less than a year after release. The single set the stage for the October 2014 release of “Sweet Talker,” which debuted in the Top 10 on the Billboard 200 and included appearances from De La Soul, 2 Chainz, Lindsey Stirling and production from the likes of Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Ilya, Diplo, Tricky, The Dream and more.
Kether Donohue stars in the cable comedy “You’re The Worst,” in which she plays the substance-abusing and promiscuous “Lindsay Jillian.” Donohue was featured in “Pitch Perfect” and starred in the thriller “The Bay,” directed by Barry Levinson. She will next be seen in the upcoming musical comedy “One Shot,” opposite Topher Grace and Taye Diggs.
David Del Rio is an accomplished actor who studied at the New World School of Arts in Miami, FL, and at the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts. He recently starred in the feature “Spare Parts,” and wrapped production on the upcoming films “The Belko Experiment” and “Undrafted.” Additional credits include a supporting role in “Pitch Perfect,” the indie “Dead Drop” and the cable series “The Troop.”
Zach Woodlee is one of today’s most sought-after choreographers in the entertainment industry. Woodlee played an integral part in developing the hit television and Emmy Award-winning series “Glee.” His work as a producer and choreographer of the show helped it achieve its iconic pop culture status. Other television credits of Woodlee’s include “How I Met Your Mother’s” 100th episode, “Eli Stone” and 2008’s “MTV Movie Awards.” Along with his television success, Woodlee has extensive film experience, contributing his talents to notable films such as “Hairspray,” “27 Dresses,” “17 Again,” “Eat Pray Love,” Life as We Know It,” “Fired Up!” and “Real Steel.” Woodlee recently worked on the musical remake of “Annie.”
GREASE: LIVE is a Paramount Television production. Executive-produced by Marc Platt (“Wicked,” “Into the Woods”). Thomas Kail (“Hamilton,” “In the Heights”) is the director overseeing the stage direction and Alex Rudzinski (“Dancing with the Stars”) will serve as the live television director. Broadway writers Robert Cary (“Anything but Love,” “Ira & Abby”) and Jonathan Tolins (“Buyer & Cellar,” “The Last Sunday in June”) will write the LIVE television adaptation. GREASE: LIVE is based on the original musical “Grease” by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, and Paramount Pictures’ 1978 feature adaptation. It is a Paramount Television production.
“Like” GREASE: LIVE on Facebook at facebook.com/GreaseLive. Follow the series on Twitter at @GreaseLive, and Instagram @GreaseLiveFOX.