grease
#NEWMUSIC: “GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES” – “GREASE IS THE WORD” MUSIC VIDEO
Paramount+ today released the official music video for the single “Grease Is the Word” from the upcoming new original series GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES. The musical series will premiere with two episodes on Thursday, April 6, 2023 exclusively on Paramount+ in Canada and the U.S.. The series will premiere the following day in the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France. The premiere date in South Korea will be announced at a later date. GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES was filmed in Vancouver in the winter of 2022. The Track can be streamed now here.
Following the premiere, new episodes of the 10-episode season will be available to stream weekly on Thursdays for subscribers in Canada and the U.S., and on Fridays for subscribers in the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and France.
“Grease Is the Word” is a modern take on the iconic song “Grease,” which was written by Barry Gibb and performed by Frankie Valli and served as the opening track of the 1978 classic musical film. “Grease Is the Word” will be featured alongside 30 original songs in season one of GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES, with executive music producer and GRAMMY Award nominated songwriter Justin Tranter at the helm. As seen in the “Grease Is the Word” music video, each song in the series will be accompanied by a choreographed dance number, led by choreographer Jamal Sims.
Release details on the full GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES soundtrack from Capitol Records will be announced at a later date.
GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES stars Marisa Davila as Jane, Cheyenne Isabel Wells as Olivia, Ari Notartomaso as Cynthia, Tricia Fukuhara as Nancy, Shanel Bailey as Hazel, Madison Thompson as Susan, Johnathan Nieves as Richie, Jason Schmidt as Buddy, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper as Wally and Jackie Hoffman as Asst. Principal McGee.
The musical series takes place four years before the original “Grease.” In 1954, before rock ‘n’ roll ruled, before the T-Birds were the coolest in the school, four fed-up outcasts dare to have fun on their own terms, sparking a moral panic that will change Rydell High forever.
From Paramount Television Studios, GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES is written and executive produced by Annabel Oakes (“Atypical,” “Minx”), who also serves as showrunner and directed a later episode. Alethea Jones (“Made for Love,” “Dollface,” “Evil”) directed the pilot plus two more episodes and executive produces. Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey executive produce for Temple Hill, and Adam Fishbach also executive produces. Erik Feig and Samie Kim Falvey executive produce via PICTURESTART, and it’s produced by Grace Gilroy. Choreography by Jamal Sims, who also directed, and music by GRAMMY Award nominee and executive music producer Justin Tranter.
(Photo/video credit: Paramount+)
#FIRSTLOOK: NEW OFFICIAL TRAILER FOR “GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES”
Paramount+ today released the official trailer for the new original series GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES. The trailer debuted on THE DREW BARRYMORE SHOW during the “Drew’s News” segment with host Drew Barrymore and co-host Ross Mathews, along with a special appearance by the four pink ladies: Marisa Davila, Cheyenne Isabel Wells, Ari Notartomaso and Tricia Fukuhara. The upcoming musical series will premiere on Thursday, April 6, 2023 exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada.
The series will premiere the following day in the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and South Korea. Following the premiere, new episodes of the 10-episode-long season will be available to stream weekly on Thursdays for subscribers in the U.S. and Canada, and on Fridays for subscribers in the U.K., Australia, Latin America, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France and South Korea.
From Paramount Television Studios, GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES stars Marisa Davila as Jane, Cheyenne Isabel Wells as Olivia, Ari Notartomaso as Cynthia, Tricia Fukuhara as Nancy, Shanel Bailey as Hazel, Madison Thompson as Susan, Johnathan Nieves as Richie, Jason Schmidt as Buddy, Maxwell Whittington-Cooper as Wally and Jackie Hoffman as Asst. Principal McGee.
The musical series takes place four years before the original “Grease.” In 1954, before rock ‘n’ roll ruled, before the T-Birds were the coolest in the school, four fed-up outcasts dare to have fun on their own terms, sparking a moral panic that will change Rydell High forever.
GREASE: RISE OF THE PINK LADIES is written and executive produced by Annabel Oakes (“Atypical,” “Minx”), who also serves as showrunner and directed a later episode. Alethea Jones (“Made for Love,” “Dollface,” “Evil”) directed the pilot plus two more episodes and executive produces. Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey executive produce for Temple Hill, and Adam Fishbach also executive produces. Erik Feig and Samie Kim Falvey executive produce via PICTURESTART, and it’s produced by Grace Gilroy. Choreography by Jamal Sims, who also directed, and music by GRAMMY Award nominee and executive music producer Justin Tranter.
(Photo/video credit: Paramount+)
#SPOTTED: MICHELLE WILLIAMS OF DESTINY’S CHILD IN TORONTO FOR “GREASE”
It’s destiny! Best known as one-third of 65-million-album-selling Trio Destiny’s Child, Michelle Williams is in Toronto for a limited run as Teen Angel in the Toronto production of Grease at Elgin Theatre. Attendees of the shows also will be treated to a special two-song performance afterwards by the Grammy winner who also has found success in theatre on Broadway and solo as a Pop and Gospel Artist. She even stays behind after to meet fans if you are lucky enough to score a ticket!
It was a joy meeting Williams at last and seeing how happy she made fans in this rare Toronto appearance. She is so stunning! One fan even burst into “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child for her, graciously listening to her. Fiancé Chad Johnson (seen below in white T-shirt) was there too, proud and supportive!
Earlier in the day she did the rounds on morning television staples The Morning Show and CP24 Breakfast!
See some Snaps:
More on GREASE TORONTO, which plays till early July, here.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#SPOTTED: MARK BALLAS + BC JEAN IN TORONTO FOR “GREASE”
Dancing with the Stars’ Mark Ballas is back in Toronto to show us his great versatility! The multi-talented showman for a limited time only appears in the Toronto production of GREASE at Elgin Theatre. He plays the role of Teen Angel, singing one of the Musical’s signature hits Beauty School Dropout through Sunday, June 10, 2018. Others slated to fill the role in coming weeks include Destiny’s Child‘s Michelle Williams, Drake Bell, Logan Henderson and George Canyon.
In addition to being loved by television audiences, he and wife BC Jean who wrote Beyoncé’s smash hit If I Were a Boy, are known as the Duo ALEXANDER JEAN. For lucky fans attending Grease, the two will perform a special two-song acoustic set at the theatre, in addition to meeting fans after the show.
We had so much fun at GREASE, which sees Janel Parrish returning as Sandie with stage star Matthew Helfer as Danny! Be sure to see it if you haven’t already as it runs till early July. Tickets here.
If you haven’t checked-out Alexander Jean‘s music yet, their new Single STAMPEDE ft. Dancing with the Stars aluamni Lindsey Stirling, is out now. Check it out here!
Patience paid-off and we got to meet Ballas and Bc Jean amd they both are incredibly-sweet! See our Snaps! Hover cursor left/right to navigate.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#GIVEAWAY: ENTER TO WIN A “GREASE 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION” BLU-RAY COMBO PACK
Paramount Pictures Home Media Distribution x Mr. Will are giving Readers in Canada a chance to win a copy of the Classic’s 40th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray!
EVERYBODY LOVES GREASE!
The GREASE 40th Anniversary Edition will be available in the following formats: 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital.
Synopsis:
Featuring an explosion of song and dance, as well as star-making performances from John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, GREASE made an indelible impact on popular culture. 40 years later, the film remains an enduring favorite as legions of new fans discover the memorable moments, sensational soundtrack and classic love story. Boasting unforgettable songs including “Greased Lightnin,” “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” “Summer Nights,” “Hopelessly Devoted To You,” “Beauty School Drop Out” and, of course, “Grease,” the film is a timeless feel-good celebration.
Trailer:
Special Features in the different formats include:
GREASE 40th Anniversary Blu-ray Combo Pack
The GREASE Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, German 5.1 Dolby Digital, Italian 5.1 Dolby Digital, Japanese 2.0 Dolby Digital, Brazilian Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital, Castilian Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Latin American Spanish Mono Dolby Digital, and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, Cantonese, Mandarin Simplified, Mandarin Traditional, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Swedish, Thai and Turkish subtitles. The DVD in the Combo Pack is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, and Spanish subtitles. The Combo Pack includes access to a Digital copy of the film as well as the following:
Blu-ray
· Feature film in high definition
· Commentary by director Randal Kleiser and choreographer Patricia Birch
· Introduction by Randal Kleiser
· Rydell Sing-Along
· The Time, The Place, The Motion: Remembering Grease
· Grease: A Chicago Story—NEW!
· Alternate Animated Main Titles—NEW!
· Alternate Ending—NEW!
· Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes with Introduction by Randal Kleiser
· Grease Reunion 2002 – DVD Launch Party
· Grease Memories from John & Olivia
· The Moves Behind the Music
· Thunder Roadsters
· John Travolta and Allan Carr “Grease Day” interview
· Olivia Newton-John and Robert Stigwood “Grease Day” interview
· Photo Galleries
· Theatrical Trailer
DVD
· Feature film in standard definition
· Commentary by director Randal Kleiser and choreographer Patricia Birch
· Introduction by Randal Kleiser
· Rydell Sing-Along
· The Time, The Place, The Motion: Remembering Grease
· Alternate Animated Main Titles—NEW!
· Alternate Ending—NEW!
· Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes with Introduction by Randal Kleiser
· Grease Reunion 2002 – DVD Launch Party
· The Moves Behind the Music
· Olivia Newton-John and Robert Stigwood “Grease Day” interview
· Photo Galleries
GREASE 40th Anniversary 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack
The 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack includes the Blu-ray detailed above as well as a 4K disc presented in Ultra HD with English 5.1 Dolby TrueHD, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, German 5.1 Dolby Digital, Italian 5.1 Dolby Digital, Japanese 2.0 Dolby Digital, Brazilian Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital, Castilian Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Latin American Spanish Mono Dolby Digital, and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, Cantonese, Mandarin Simplified, Mandarin Traditional, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, Latin American Spanish, Swedish, Thai and Turkish subtitles. The 4K Ultra HD disc includes the feature film and commentary by director Randal Kleiser and choreographer Patricia Birch.
GREASE 40th Anniversary DVD
The GREASE single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish Mono Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French, and Spanish subtitles. The DVD includes the following:
· Feature film in standard definition
· Commentary by director Randal Kleiser and choreographer Patricia Birch
· Introduction by Randal Kleiser
· Rydell Sing-Along
· The Time, The Place, The Motion: Remembering Grease
· Alternate Animated Main Titles—NEW!
· Alternate Ending—NEW!
· Deleted/Extended/Alternate Scenes with Introduction by Randal Kleiser
· Grease Reunion 2002 – DVD Launch Party
· The Moves Behind the Music
· Olivia Newton-John and Robert Stigwood “Grease Day” interview
· Photo Galleries
To enter to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK and indicate your City. Re-Tweet this Contest Post from @mrwillw for an extra chance! Canadian Readers only.
Sandy, Danny x Mr. Will
Paramount Pictures Home Media Distribution release GREASE 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Tuesday, April 24, 2018.
(Photo/video credit: Paramount Pictures/Mr. Will Wong)
#SPOTTED: JANEL PARRISH, KATIE FINDLAY + MORE IN TORONTO FOR “GREASE THE MUSICAL”
It amazes me that there still are people in this world who haven’t discovered GREASE! The stage version of the beloved ’50s-set Musical just opened in Toronto officially at Winter Garden Theatre, running through to mid-December. The Production directed by Broadway Choreographer and Director Josh Prince, stars Pretty Little Liars’ Janel Parrish in the lead role of Sandy. Playing Danny is fresh-faced Dylan S. Wallach,while the important role of Rizzo is filled by Katie Findlay, a familiar face whom you may remember from How to Get Away with Murder and The Carrie Diaries. Kenickie is played by Matt Magnusson.
We had the joy of meeting Parrish, Findlay and Magusson who have settled nicely into the City for the past bit. Parrish‘s parents came out to support her at today’s matinee and even brought her flowers! Aww! 💐
See some Snaps! Hover left and right to navigate.
UPDATE: We had the absolute pleasure witnessing GREASE TORONTO live this past weekend and we had so much fun! See our Review below and hover your cursor left and right to navigate some more Cast Snaps:
Tickets still are available for GREASE THE MUSICAL and with most weekends shows already sold-out, we’ve caught wind it has been held-over till January 2018! Click here for more.
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#NEWMUSIC: JORDAN FISHER – “ALL ABOUT US”
We all loved him in GREASE LIVE! And we’ve been wanting more ever since! Jordan Fisher who played Doody on that unforgettable televised event earlier this year actually released his debut single ALL ABOUT US back in April but it appears finally it is getting some traction.
You might already know the 22-year-old from Secret Life of an American Teenager, Teen Wolf and Teen Beach?
The sleek R&B/Electronic Pop romp which could be mistaken for Nick Jonas showcases the Actor/Multi-Instrumentalist/Singer’s amazing vocal range had us taken aback right away. Fisher is a new artist we’re super-excited about and he is primed for the released of his debut EP later this month.
Although it isn’t getting much airplay up this way just yet, it already is number 26 on the Billboard Pop Songs Chart and we expect it to climb as one of this Summer’s hidden gems.
Check it out below:
Universal Music Canada release Jordan Fisher‘s self-titled EP Thursday, August 18, 2016.
(Photo/video credit: Universal Music/Hollywood Records)
#SPOTTED: VICTORIA JUSTICE, RYAN MCCARTAN, REEVE CARNEY + STAZ NAIR IN TORONTO FOR “ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW”
Following the smash ratings and critical success of FOX‘s GREASE LIVE!, preparations are under way for the reimagination of ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW!
With a talented cast including Adam Lambert, Christina Milian, Victoria Justice, Ryan McCartan, Reeve Carney, Laverne Cox, Staz Nair and original cast member Tim Curry, rehearsals and filming continue in Toronto through April.
We spotted cast members Justice, McCartan, Carney and Nair fly in to begin work this week, sacrificing not only their amazing weather, but also their Valentine’s Day to be with us. Vocals already have been recorded in Los Angeles.
Best known from the arriving group is Actress/Singer Justice who has an ardent Social Media following, having starred in Nickelodeon hit series VICTORIOUS alongside Ariana Grande. She was in L.A. attending various GRAMMY festivities this weekend. She stars as Janet Weiss (originated by Susan Sarandon), while McCartan stars as Brad Majors, Carney as Riff-Raff and Staz Nair as the titular Rocky. A friendly bunch!
We’re actually stoked about this Production and curious to see a fresh perspective on a Classic and how they’ll make it interactive with a new generation of Fans!
See our Snaps:
With #ReeveCarney, in #Toronto for #RockyHorrorPictureShow. You might know him from #PennyDreadful?
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on
A photo posted by Mr. Will Wong ⛄ (@mrwillwong) on
Directed by Kenny Ortega, who crafted the High School Musical Trilogy, it is said this upcoming version is to remain faithful to the 1975 original.
No release date yet is set for ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW, but we would assume around Halloween, right?!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
#REVIEW: “GREASE LIVE!”
Admit it! You didn’t think GREASE LIVE! was gonna be any good, did you??! I mean, how is it possible to top a Masterpiece? We tried erasing the less-than-stellar GREASE 2 right out of our memories, but have failed time and time again.
Little did we know sitting on our couches at 7:00 PM – an unassuming Sunday night – that Television forever would be transformed for us! What made Alex Rudzinski (Dancing with the Stars) and Thomas Kail (2 Broke Girls)‘s Live TV Adaptation of one of the greatest Films ever made wonderful, was that it captured precisely the charm and energy that made us fall in love with the 1978 Original. This we remind you, is not an easy feat. We’ve seen so many Remakes on the Big Screen in recent years disappointingly fall flat.
Everything from a sophisticated stage design which brought us back to Rydell High right down to the almost identical frame-for-frame replication of the original Film had us in awe. As we cut in and out of commercial break, we got quick flashes of the pandemonium behind-the-scenes, the Actors getting transported in trollies from stage to stage at a frenetic pace, keeping us engaged and rooting for them a la Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Most important of all, the casting was phenomenal. Actors like Vanessa Hudgens, Keke Palmer, Carly Rae Jepsen, Julianne Hough and Aaron Tveit didn’t exactly have us jumping for excitement initially, but were we ever off the mark!
Hudgens although a little shaky in her rendition of Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee, got it together in the Second Act wowing us in full force as a sassy, no-nonsense Rizzo, just mesmerizing in her delivery of There Are Worse Things. What is even more heartbreaking is that Hudgens just yesterday lost her father Greg, channeling her emotions completely tonight on-stage for her biggest Audience yet.
Keke Palmer whom often has been relegated to supporting roles on the likes of Scream Queens and 90210, really shined as flirty Marty, giving Freddy My Love an injection of soul. Promising and underrated describe only the tip of the iceberg for this burgeoning star, who actually is already a veteran.
Broadway star Aaron Tveit was excellent as our Danny Zuko, embodying exactly the endearing unpredictability of being a hormonal teenager. Although making a few modifications to the melodies we loved vocally early, he saved it all for late, stealing our hearts in his powerful performance of ballad Sandy. We only knew him prior from 2012’s Les Misérables, but we now are obsessed.
Julianne Hough perhaps carries the greatest weight of all in the beloved role of Sandy and she did not disappoint at any step, although a bit of fatigue could be heard late after a demanding First and Second Act. She was the perfect Sandy, capturing her naiveté and level-headedness. Vocally, she possessed the strength to deliver for the three-hour show and physically, she was spot-on in her choreography which had her cheerleading and dancing her way beginning to end. It didn’t take us long into the broadcast to realize that we’ve long under-estimated Hough.
What also was amazing is that one of our favourites from the Original surfaced as a Cameo – Didi Conn (originally Frenchy) as waitress Vi and above that, appearances from The Brady Bunch‘s Eve Plumb as Shop Teacher Mrs. Murdock and even Boys II Men as our Teen Angels performing Beauty School Drop-Out. Joe Jonas and his new band DNCE also appeared as Johnny Casino and The Gamblers, while vocal powerhouse Jessie J kicked it all off singing the show’s theme, Grease is the Word.
Although we enjoyed the Broadcast greatly, we knew we were “hopelessly devoted” by the Final Act – the end-of-year Carnival scene to be exact. We didn’t want to say goodbye – which is exactly the same way we felt when he first saw the Original. Truly magical.
Learn more about GREASE LIVE! here and how to stream it.
Download the complete Soundtrack from GREASE LIVE! here.
My instant reaction to GREASE LIVE!:
(Photo/video credit: FOX)
#NEWMUSIC: “GLEE” CAST – “YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WANT (GREASE)”
Finally a reason to watch Glee again. Upon hearing about an upcoming Episode “hopelessly-devoted” entirely to Grease, I felt a great sigh of relief that Glee finally is “shaping-up”! Rolling Stone gets the first Preview of You’re the One That I Want which for an entire generation and many after, defined a moment of liberation known as the Finale of one of the Greatest Musical Films of all time.
The Glease Episode doesn’t air till Thursday, November 15, 2012 on FOX/Global at 8:00 PM EST, but here’s a Sneak Peak of what we can expect:
Glease is in-stores on Tuesday, November 6, 2012 via Sony Music Canada. Order it here.
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