'You're the One That I Want' Set for 2 More Live Episodes

NBC has picked up "Grease: You're the One That I Want" for two additional live shows, bringing its scheduled number of episodes from nine to eleven.

In addition, previous guest star Olivia Newton-John (Sandy in the Grease film) will return to serve as a guest judge on the first live episode.  While producer David Ian, director/choreographer Kathleen Marshall and Grease co-creator Jim Jacobs are currently on the judges panel of "You're the One That I Want," the reality talent search will go live on January 28th, when TV viewers commence to determine the stars of Broadway's next revival of Grease.

"You're the One That I Want," co-hosted by Billy Bush and Denise Van Outen, premiered on NBC on 8 PM on January 7th. 

The new production of Grease will open on Broadway in June 2007 and will be directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award-winner Marshall (The Pajama Game).  Paul Nicholas and David Ian Associates, Nederlander Presentations and Phoenix Productions will produce. 

Grease, by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey, "is the all-American musical, based on the sub-cultures of high school life in the 1950's.  The show takes place at the hyperactive Rydell High School, where Danny Zuko fronts his gang - the raucous T-Birds - who romance their sassy female equivalents - the Pink Ladies.  When 'good-girl' Sandy Dumbrowski arrives in town, the Pink Ladies  take her under their collective wing," as the show is described in press notes.

Grease originated in Chicago and made its premiere at The Kingston Mines Theater in 1971 before making its New York premiere off-Broadway at the Eden Theatre on February 14, 1972.  After 128 performances and much popularity,  the show made the transition to Broadway taking up residence at the Broadhurst Theatre on June 7, 1972.  Grease was nominated for seven Tony Awards in its initial run. 

On November 21, 1972, the show moved to the Royale Theatre.  It closed on Broadway after playing 3,388 performances, closing as the longest running show in Broadway history.  In 1978, Grease became a hugely popular feature film starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the lead roles.   A Broadway revival opened on May 11, 1994 at the Eugene O'Neil Theatre where it played 1,503 performances and won three Tony Award nominations.  A London revival opened on July 15, 1993 at  the Dominion Theatre and ran for 6 years on London's West End and is still touring today.

The new Broadway production will feature the smash Jacobs/Casey songs made famous by the the original play, including "Summer Nights," "Greased  Lightning" and "We Go Together."

"You're the One That I Want" is produced by BBC Worldwide Productions. The BBC's Paul Telegdy, Emmy nominated Conrad Green ("Dancing with the Stars") and David Ian are the Executive Producers.

Upcoming "You're the One That I Want" guest stars include Jeff Conaway, Adrian Zmed, Marilu Henner, Lucy Lawless, and Barry Bostwick (all of whom have appeared in versions of Grease), as well as Jai Rodriguez and Marissa Jaret Winokur.

Tickets for Grease are now on sale.  Group Sales are available now by calling Nederlander Group Sales at 212-840-3890.

Visit www.nbc.com/grease for more information.

Photo - Olivia Newton-John