BroadwayWorld has just learned that stage ands screen favorite Ana Gasteyer will play Principal McGee in FOX's upcoming broadcast of GREASE LIVE!
On stage, Ana Gasteyer made her triumphant Broadway debut as Columbia in The Rocky Horror Show." Since then, Gasteyer earned raves as Elphaba in "Wicked" on Broadway, and originated the role for the Chicago production, earning a Jefferson Award nomination.
Other New York theater credits include the Tony-nominated Broadway productions of "The Royal Family" directed byDoug Hughes, "The Threepenney Opera" with Alan Cumming and Jim Dale, Eve Ensler's acclaimed Off-Broadway hit "The Vagina Monologues," and Manhattan Theatre Club's hit production of "Kimberly Akimbo" by playwright David Lindsay-Abaire. Ana also she starred as Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl" at the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera.
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.
The cast includes Mario Lopez, as smooth talking host of Rydell High's sock hop, 'Vince Fontaine', 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," Elle McLemore (Heathers The Musical) as "Patty Simcox", Carlos PenaVega ("Spare Parts," "Big Time Rush") as "Kenickie", Keke Palmer (SCREAM QUEENS, "Masters of Sex") as "Marty", and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen as "Frenchy." 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," Andrew Call will portray "Sonny", Jordan Fisher will take on "Doody", and Yvette Gonzalez-Nacer takes on "Cha Cha."
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 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, andParamount 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.
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