Keke Palmer has been busy with Scream Queens, so she may not have minded all that much. But it has been over a month since the announcement that she, Vanessa Hudgens, and Julianne Hough were cast in Fox’s latest stab at a live televised musical Grease: Live.
Palmer was cast as Marty, role played in the original film version by Dinah Manoff. Vanessa Hudgens will be Rizzo, originally played by Stockard Channing. And Julianne Hough will be the female lead, Sandy, originally played by Olivia Newton-John.
But up until now there has been no male lead, no Danny Zuko to join Palmer and the other ladies, and reprise John Travolta’s role. Now that spot has been filled.
Broadway star Aaron Tveit, who was in Catch Me If You Can on stage, will star as Danny Zuko. Fans will also know Tveit from the big screen in Les Miserables, as well as on television in Gossip Girl and Graceland.
Keke Palmer and Aaron Tveit are gonna be in GREASE LIVE! and now I feel obligated to watch it, thanks a lot, Fox.
— Ellen Carter (@iwishiwasafinch) July 9, 2015
Keke Palmer is also joined by Carlos PenaVega as Kenickie. Others rumored to join Palmer in the live musical include Nick Jonas, said to be filling the role of Teen Angel/Johnny Casino. Also rumored are Martin Short, playing Coach Calhoun, and Olivia Newton-John herself, as Principal McGee.
#ScreamQueens pic.twitter.com/9XgadDjkGX
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer) July 8, 2015
Meanwhile, Keke Palmer has said of her current project, Scream Queens, that it will live up to the reputation of creator Ryan Murphy, also known for American Horror Story.
“I think that he is keeping that same, heightened, extreme grounded-ness,” Palmer told Entertainment Weekly. “How he does it, I have no idea. But that is very much so a part of Scream Queens. And also, the comedy. He finds the balance in light of the dark. It’s fun to play.”
