Mario Lopez has been cast in Fox‘s live musical event “Grease: Live.” He will play Vince Fontaine.
The “Extra” host joins an ensemble that includes Julianne Hough (“Dancing with the Stars”) and Aaron Tveit (“Graceland”) as the main characters Sandy and Danny, plus Vanessa Hudgens (“High School Musical”) as Pink Ladies ring leader Rizzo, Carlos PenaVega (“DWTS”) as Kenickie, Keke Palmer (“Scream Queens”) as Marty, singer Carly Rae Jepsen as Frenchy, Kether Donohue (“You’re the Worst”) as Jan and David Del Rio (“Pitch Perfect”) as Putzie.
Jessie J will kick off the live show with a performance of a brand-new version of “Grease (Is the Word).”
“Grease: Live” marks a reunion for Lopez on Fox, as he hosted the network’s “X Factor.” He made his Broadway debut in 2009 in “A Chorus Line,” and competed in the third season of “Dancing with the Stars.” He rose to fame on ’90s teen hit “Saved by the Bell.”
Based on the 1978 film, in which John Travolta and Olivia Newton John starred, Fox’s live television adaptation follows lovebirds Danny and Sandy as their summer romance ends when 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.
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Produced by Paramount Television, Marc Platt will exec produce “Grease: Live.” Thomas Kail is the director overseeing the stage direction and Alex Rudzinski serves as the live television director.
“Grease: Live” airs Sunday, Jan. 31 on Fox.
