Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
For better or worse, everyone has a passing familiarity with Grease. The John Travolta-Olivia Newton John musical of the 70's featured some of the catchiest music in an era in love with retro 50's culture. With sexual undertones and a whole lot of hand jiving, the film has formed its own cult of people in love with the upbeat nature by which the film resides. So to remake it as a live event seems a little daunting, especially in an era where NBC has repeatedly shown to have problems making the reception more than scathing Twitter responses. The Sound of Music and Peter Pan were both maligned for their bizarre choices. It almost makes you wish that Fox would just learn and not participate in the game, right? Right?
Well, here's something. Take note NBC, because Fox just schooled you on how to do live productions like this. While they still feel inessential overall, the one problem with live theater is the limitations. Basically, all of the sets have to be ready to go and are only benefited by limited commercial interruptions. It's why Peter Pan felt so stagey and tepid. For Grease Live, there would have to be something more - especially with a heavy reliance on moving set pieces in many integral scenes. It left much to be desired when the action was finally put into motion. Add in the unpredictable California outside weather (it did rain that day), and you get the new template for how to do live theater on TV, if you have to do it at all.
For starters, Grease Live is very much assured on location. The rendition of the opening song features singer Jessie J. walking through the backstage rooms, intermingling with the cast in their dressing rooms, only to emerge onto an exterior set where a crowd of yelling fans welcome the start of this three hour production. If Fox did one thing right, it's the feeling of live theater. There's several moments where an audience feels grateful to simply be there, witnessing the action play across several sets as the cast of young actors maneuver through locations with ease and stamina.
Most of all, the work of live theater owes some debt to director Thomas Kail, who was also integral in helping recent Broadway hit Hamilton! take off. Here, he helps to make the direction into an astounding, dizzying experience by which the production is allowed to feature wide shots and close-ups without either revealing too much of the seams. As much as this musical gets by on energy, it's the technical side that is probably not going to get any credit. To witness scenes like the school dance is to see the future of live theater on TV evolving before your eyes. Everything is in place and the movement and actions alone put NBC's track record to shame.
Grease Live as a story is probably going to be as polarizing as the original Grease. With far too many unnecessary songs to pad the running time, it does get a little exhausting halfway through. Even the young and spry cast lose some of their charm. However, fans of the original will definitely find a lot to admire about this one. Everyone is game for anything and the results have the familiar mixed results of cornball and ingenuity.
Yet even the finale, as the curtain feels pulled back to reveal the audience and sets, adds the element that makes live theater intriguing by nature. It is important to hear those cheers and the feeling of sporadic energy from the cast. Seeing the cast drive across the studio lot may break character a bit, but it adds to the sense of unity and enjoyment that the cast seems to have. Even the interstitial commentary that highlighted the behind the scenes elements added a nice touch. Now that we know the potential for theater of this sort, here's hoping that others will take note and continue to innovate with work that's just as compelling.
Well, here's something. Take note NBC, because Fox just schooled you on how to do live productions like this. While they still feel inessential overall, the one problem with live theater is the limitations. Basically, all of the sets have to be ready to go and are only benefited by limited commercial interruptions. It's why Peter Pan felt so stagey and tepid. For Grease Live, there would have to be something more - especially with a heavy reliance on moving set pieces in many integral scenes. It left much to be desired when the action was finally put into motion. Add in the unpredictable California outside weather (it did rain that day), and you get the new template for how to do live theater on TV, if you have to do it at all.
For starters, Grease Live is very much assured on location. The rendition of the opening song features singer Jessie J. walking through the backstage rooms, intermingling with the cast in their dressing rooms, only to emerge onto an exterior set where a crowd of yelling fans welcome the start of this three hour production. If Fox did one thing right, it's the feeling of live theater. There's several moments where an audience feels grateful to simply be there, witnessing the action play across several sets as the cast of young actors maneuver through locations with ease and stamina.
Most of all, the work of live theater owes some debt to director Thomas Kail, who was also integral in helping recent Broadway hit Hamilton! take off. Here, he helps to make the direction into an astounding, dizzying experience by which the production is allowed to feature wide shots and close-ups without either revealing too much of the seams. As much as this musical gets by on energy, it's the technical side that is probably not going to get any credit. To witness scenes like the school dance is to see the future of live theater on TV evolving before your eyes. Everything is in place and the movement and actions alone put NBC's track record to shame.
Grease Live as a story is probably going to be as polarizing as the original Grease. With far too many unnecessary songs to pad the running time, it does get a little exhausting halfway through. Even the young and spry cast lose some of their charm. However, fans of the original will definitely find a lot to admire about this one. Everyone is game for anything and the results have the familiar mixed results of cornball and ingenuity.
Yet even the finale, as the curtain feels pulled back to reveal the audience and sets, adds the element that makes live theater intriguing by nature. It is important to hear those cheers and the feeling of sporadic energy from the cast. Seeing the cast drive across the studio lot may break character a bit, but it adds to the sense of unity and enjoyment that the cast seems to have. Even the interstitial commentary that highlighted the behind the scenes elements added a nice touch. Now that we know the potential for theater of this sort, here's hoping that others will take note and continue to innovate with work that's just as compelling.
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