Keke Palmer has been tapped to join Fox’s Grease: Live as the mouthy, yet prissy Marty Maraschino, one of the Pink Ladies (originally portrayed by Dinah Manoff in the 1978 film). To date, only two other roles have been cast in this production, which will mark Fox’s entree into live television musicals. Julianne Hough has been cast as Sandy and Vanessa Hudgens will play Rizzo.
Palmer has significant musical experience both on and off stage. She has several albums under her belt and played the part of rap star Chilli in CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story. Most notably, Palmer starred in the title role of “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” becoming the first African-American and youngest actress to star in that Broa
dway production.
“Grease is one of the most treasured and favored pop culture phenomenons of our time. It’s fun, it’s endearing and we are so excited to reimagine this iconic story with a shared entertainment event suited for today’s audience,” Marc Platt, executive producer, said of the Paramount TV production
Grease: Live is based on the original musical and the Paramount Pictures’ 1978 feature adaptation. The three-hour broadcast is set to air on Fox on January 31, 2016 at 7:30 pm.
Broadway Black will be tuned in! Will you be watching?
