After the opening number I was hooked and did not leave the sofa for 3 hours. Yes, it is a very cheesy musical, but that's the fun of it! Two days later, I watched it again and had made my students watch clips of it too.
Grease Live! cost $16 million to make, it was broadcast live on American TV and watched by 12.2 million people.
As a Media teacher I was more interested in the way it was put together than the acting, but credit has to be given to the actors too - remembering lines, songs, dance routines, costume changes, getting to different sets...all performed live without a break for 3 hours.
Amazing to see what goes on behind the scenes in the control room. Sheer magic!
Grease by numbers:
Days of rehearsal: 52
Run time: 3 hours
Songs/dances: 23
Stages: 2 sound stages, plus the entire Warner Bros. backlot and built-out exterior locations throughout the lot (actors used golf buggies or ran to get to the next set, whilst changing costumes!)
Sets: 21
Cameras: 20
Cast: 24 principal cast members, 20 ensemble and dancers
Extras: 60
Live audience members: 650
Costumes: More than 600 - 407 for principal cast, Boyz II Men, DNCE and Jessie J; 226 for background ensemble and dancers
Breakdown of costumes: 60% vintage; 40% custom made
Quick changes during live show: 392 quick changes - just for principal cast alone!
Record quick changes during one song: Danny and Doody each have 5 costumes changes during the song "Magic Change"
Quickest quick change: 11 seconds for Rizzo, Frenchy and Jan
Crew in the control room: at least 40
Crew working the set on the night of the show: more than 200
- 13 camera operators
- 15 stage managers
- 11 audio mixers
- 25 audio assistants
- 7 communications directors
- 15 camera utilities
- 30 costumers
- 36 riggers and electricians
Watch the clip below from 53 seconds to see Jessie J sing the opening number. It gives you a sense of how it was filmed as she walks backstage and through various sets.
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