“Grease is the word, is the word that you heard. It’s got groove it’s got meaning. Grease is the time, is the place, is the motion. Grease is the way we are feeling.” And on June 27, 2025, Grease certainly was a feeling, one of pure joy and the lyrics to this iconic song could be heard across the Hollywood hills.
The Hollywood Bowl hosted a Grease sing-a-long where enthusiastic fans turned out in droves, and many in costumes, to watch a movie that has had audiences bopping along for 47 years. Before the film screened, former Pink Lady, Didi Conn, who played Frenchie shared behind the scenes anecdotes with the audience. In her pink suit and sparkly heels she was no beauty school drop-out, just a beloved actor who thanked the audience for the love that has been shown to Grease for decades. A Grease reunion was made as Conn welcomed a few former T Birds to the stage, who showed the crowd how to use their props for the movie – including pom poms, race flags, bubbles and more. Afterall, it would not be a true Hollywood Bowl show unless it was immersive. Actors Barry Pearl (Doody), Kelly Ward (Putzie) and Michael Tucci (Sonny) still had the silly, goofy chemistry they show in the movie, and even remembered a few fun dances from the film. They had the audience on their feet doing the hand jive at full speed!
The films director, Randal Kleiser shared a tribute to those from the cast who are no longer with us and dedicated the nights sing-a-long to Olivia Newton John. With all of these great cast members sharing their memories the crowd was already hyped for the film to start, then they got the surprise of a lifetime. Danny Zuko himself walked out to a standing ovation. Of course, Danny was played by the iconic actor John Travolta, who on this special night donned a Danny-esque wig and leather jacket. Not only was he a surprise to the audience, but to his fellow castmates. It was a beautiful reunion and the perfect start to the film.
Conn had shared that Grease was a movie studio executives thought would go nowhere. But nearly 50 years later, it’s still loved – a cult classic if you will. A packed Hollywood Bowl, filled with Grease-lovers of all ages proved that those studio executives didn’t have a clue what was to come and neither did the cast. Not only was the crowd singing along to the songs we all know and love but they muttering every single word of the movie. Singing along to a movie like Grease, with an invested audience is magical anywhere, but in Hollywood, where the movie was made, surrounded by people who work in the industry and appreciate the craft of movie making, was surreal. The audience echoed a sentiment from the movie, just like Danny and Sandy sang, “you’re the one that I want.” The enthusiasm and joy of the crowd proves movie lovers still want Grease over four decades after it hit theaters.
For more on the Hollywood Bowl and upcoming shows, visit hollywoodbowl.com.
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