It's electrifying! Graceland actor Aaron Tveit reveals he will play Danny Zuko in Fox's Grease: Live

Graceland's Aaron Tveit will be taking on the iconic role of Danny Zuko in the upcoming remake of Grease.

'I’m thrilled and honored to be joining this incredibly talented team of actors in re-imagining this classic and beloved musical,' the 31-year-old actor told Entertainment Weekly about being signed on for Fox's Grease: Live.

'Playing Danny Zuko is a dream role and I can’t wait to be a part of all the fun that comes along with performing live on television,' the Broadway star added.

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The new Danny: Graceland's Aaron Tveit will be taking on the iconic role of Danny Zuko in the upcoming remake of Grease

The new Danny: Graceland's Aaron Tveit will be taking on the iconic role of Danny Zuko in the upcoming remake of Grease

Aaron follows in the footsteps of John Travolta who played Danny Zuko in the original Grease flick in 1978.

Big Time Rush's Carlos PenaVega has also been cast and will star as Kenickie (originally played by Jeff Conaway) in the live television event.

Vanessa Hudgens will star as Rizzo (Stockard Channing) and Julianne Hough as Sandy (Olivia Newton-John).

After hearing Thursday's news, Vanessa took to Twitter to show support for her new cast members.

Big shoes to fill: John Travolta starred as Danny Zuko in the 1978 original Grease film

Big shoes to fill: John Travolta starred as Danny Zuko in the 1978 original Grease film

'Congratulations #AaronTveit & @TheCarlosPena!!! So excited to play,' the Spring Breakers star tweeted. 

Vanessa, 26, previously stated: ‘Being Rizzo is something I’ve never imagined, and I love that because it will be a new challenge.

‘She is such an iconic character that continues to transcend generations. I cannot wait to bring her to life on live television. I'm going to be a Pink Lady!’

Julianne, 26, gushed: ‘Grease is one of the movies that made me want to be an entertainer, and I have literally been waiting my whole life to play Sandy.

More cast: Vanessa Hudgens, left, will star as Rizzo and Julianne Hough, right, as Sandy
More cast: Vanessa Hudgens, left, will star as Rizzo and Julianne Hough, right, as Sandy

More cast: Vanessa Hudgens, left, will star as Rizzo and Julianne Hough, right, as Sandy

‘This is my dream role and performing it live on television will be one of the most thrilling opportunities I've had in my career so far.’

Grease made its Broadway premiere in 1972 - prior to the film adaptation that debuted in 1978.

In Grease, good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fall in love over the summer. They then unexpectedly discover they are attending the same high school.

Sandy must figure out how to fit into Danny’s world as Danny transcends his social clique in order to be with Sandy.

Moving on from Nickelodeon: Big Time Rush's Carlos PenaVega has been cast and will star as Kenickie

Moving on from Nickelodeon: Big Time Rush's Carlos PenaVega has been cast and will star as Kenickie

Along the way, Sandy befriends the Pink Ladies – one of whom is Rizzo – the female companions to the greasers. 

The three-hour live broadcast will air on Sunday, January 31, 2016 at 7pm EST.

NBC’s televised live musicals, The Sound Of Music and Peter Pan, debuted to fabulous ratings.

The network is also gearing up for more live musical productions, having recently acquired the rights to The Wiz and Music Man.

Original: Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Didi Conn, and Jeff Conaway previously starred

Original: Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Didi Conn, and Jeff Conaway previously starred

 

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