Sunday evening’s Grease: Live went off with a rousing bang, and the live-action musical may be alive once more. Sandy and Danny Zuko received much greater internet respect than the dance moves and strange flight patterns of last year’s Peter Pan effort. Although we didn’t hear the dirty language of the original Grease, the new cast gave it their all. The sets were on point, and a little rain stopped no one.
@DarrenCriss ♥️ #GreaseLive pic.twitter.com/goSzxuXLwA
— Grease (@GoGrease) February 1, 2016
After other live-action musical flops, audience expectations weren’t high for this production. However, Julianne Hough was cast perfectly for Sandy’s bobby-soxing ways and shiny pants. Aaron Tveit was rather earnest as Danny Zuko, who could use a little danger. Carly Rae Jepsen was serviceable as Frenchie, but everyone paled next to Vanessa Hudgens, who IS Rizzo. One bittersweet note to Hudgens’ performance was how her father, Greg, passed away on Sunday morning. The show ended with a fitting dedication to Greg, who would have marveled at his daughter’s performance.
Sweet dedication at the end #GreaseLive pic.twitter.com/iK2qgbeSqO
— Natalie Abrams (@NatalieAbrams) February 1, 2016
Hudgens nailed Rizzo so hard that the character deserves her own spinoff now. The actress certainly moved past High School Musical.
And what about @VanessaHudgens? 👏🏼#GreaseLive @GoGrease @FOXTV #ThereAreWorseThingsICouldDo pic.twitter.com/YfWdAWM9X9
— Juan C Arciniegas (@JuanCarlosCNN) February 1, 2016
Imagine you had Vanessa Hudgens' day, and doing that.
What a superhero.
In total awe.— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) February 1, 2016
I will never underestimate Vanessa Hudgens again. #GreaseLive
— Michael Ausiello (@MichaelAusiello) February 1, 2016
This is why TV can be so great. seeing someone in the pain Hudgens is in and crushing it. Wow. #GreaseLive
— Damian Holbrook (@damianholbrook) February 1, 2016
Guys, give it up for @VanessaHudgens. What a performance, what a class act in the face of personal tragedy. Brava, Bb. #GreaseLive
— Head Over Feels (@HeadOverFeels) February 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/dylanobrienfave/status/693984672502513664
Elsewhere, the skeptics came out in droves to point out bloopers and laugh at the spectacle of, well, imagined farts.
Grease 2016: Sandy meets Danny on Tindr. They hook up all summer. Then he ghosts her in September. #GreaseLive
— Brett Alyse (@BrettAlyse) February 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/WorldofIsaac/status/693990240009089025
I support #GreaseLive but when we watch TV, movies etc we do need to ask ourselves "Wait – could a teen play this role?" #JusticeForTeens
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) January 31, 2016
actually really upset that there wasn't a shake shack during that number #GreaseLive pic.twitter.com/4IMKfUkXoe
— Kelsie Gibson (@kelsterbelle) February 1, 2016
"You lied to me?!"
Yes. So now you should change everything about yourself to make him like you. #GreaseLive— Logan Again (@sloganagain) February 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/WorldofIsaac/status/693981665715101696
However, there were many enthusiasts watching, starting with some drama geeks.
"I have a feeling I'm not in Salt Lake anymore." SAME #GreaseLive @GoGrease 🕶⚡️ @ChrisRiceNY pic.twitter.com/uYXey6hNuR
— THE BOOK OF MORMON (@BookofMormon) February 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/NatalieAbrams/status/693957711843631104/photo/1
#GreaseLive It's nice to see integrated high schools in the 1950's. #rewritehistory
— D4 Brothers (@D4BrosComedy) February 1, 2016
Wasn't totally sold on Aaron Tveit as a greaser, but those hip thrusts don't lie. #GreaseLive
— Sharon Tharp (@sharontharp) February 1, 2016
When you realize #GreaseLive is almost over 😫😭 @GoGrease https://t.co/l9taCsqWfH
— @summer0001 (@summer0001) February 1, 2016
With this level of interest, there may be Grease: Live 2 in the future. Grease lightning could strike twice, but then I’d have to crack this bad joke again.
