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Interview: Maxwell Whittington-Cooper & Nicholas McDonough Talk Creating New GREASE Characters in RISE OF THE PINK LADIES
May 17, 2024
This Thursday, audiences will return to Rydell High for Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, premiering on Paramount Plus. BroadwayWorld sat down with Whittington-Cooper and McDonough ahead of the series to discuss creating new characters in the Grease universe, their favorite days on set, and more. Watch the interview video now!
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0:00
Loved the new series
0:01
Want to start out by asking what it was like for the two of you to sort of be creating new characters
0:07
in this Grease universe. It was super exciting to start creating new characters
0:12
within the Grease universe. I think what's exciting about the TV series format
0:16
is that we can take so many characters and elements and clicks from the original Grease films
0:20
and expand on them. Yeah, we like live in these archetypes that are so beloved and like
0:25
and deeply steeped in culture. And then we kind of get to put a little Nick flair
0:29
or a little Maxwell flair and we have flair to give. So much flair, love it
0:35
I mean, and for like Grease is so iconic to so many people
0:39
What do you hope that both new and old fans of Grease enjoy about this series
0:45
I mean, I think overall, like it is a musical comedy and that just brings joy to people's lives
0:53
and it makes your day better. And then on top of that
0:57
we dive into a lot of like great stuff and get to explore depth and story and stuff
1:01
So yeah, okay. Yeah, I totally agree. And I think what's exciting about it
1:06
is the representation within this iteration of Grease that was very present during the 1950s
1:11
but didn't necessarily have that spotlight. So I think it's cool to now tell those narratives
1:16
in this series. Yeah, what was it like representing the stories like that
1:20
Because as you said, they were around at the time of the original film, but what's so great about this series
1:25
is that we're sort of shedding a spotlight on stories that we may not have heard in the original
1:31
Yeah, totally. I would say that was something that made me gravitate towards the role of Wally in general, honestly
1:36
Like his experience as being one of the only black kids in this predominantly white space
1:40
and going to a predominantly white school really resonated with me because I had that same experience growing up
1:46
and sort of experiencing that pressure of like walking into every room and feeling that
1:51
I feel like that's not something we necessarily see on screen that much for young black men
1:54
So it was really an honor to bring that to life and just to allow other black kids everywhere
1:59
to see like their experience is valid and seen and they're not alone
2:05
Definitely, can't wait for everyone to see it. I mean, and there's so many great musical numbers
2:09
throughout the entire series. Is there one that you're sort of most looking forward
2:13
to audiences seeing? Well, I don't know where we're allowed to talk about it
2:19
I don't know. Or maybe it's a tease of something. I wouldn't say it's right on the nose
2:25
but there's like a hand jive moment. Yeah, and that was my, I think it really was my favorite dance set
2:30
and it was a night shoot and it was so fun and like so much energy. I think that's my favorite
2:34
It's like at the dance, which is, you know, when everything comes together
2:39
but I also am very partial to new cool, which is in the first episode. So it's a little bit more stuff
2:43
but yeah, those are my faves. Yeah, I definitely had a blast shooting hand jive
2:48
Yeah, it was electrical. We didn't just ruin our career. I know, exactly
2:51
Like, I don't know if we're giving away spoilers here, but actually in that same episode
2:56
there's a number called Land Don't Look So Bad that my character sings. And I would say that was also really
3:01
just a special thing to shoot because it was overnight and it was under the stars
3:04
And I would say the ensemble dancers in it are phenomenal. So it was just a blessing to shoot
3:10
Good morning, boys and girls. Thank you for the best summer of my short life
3:18
And welcome to the 1954 to 55 school year. Lydia, save your seat on my lap
3:26
Sure to be our greatest year at Rydale Games. We promised Roy and Bill we'd eat lunch with them today
3:33
To end the divisions among us. I want to be a T-Bird
3:37
I want to be a T-Bird. I want to be a T-Bird. I want to be a T-Bird. And become a truly united Rydale
3:45
He told me exactly what you did to get that jacket. It's not as bad as it seems
3:52
These things blow over. Maybe for you. There are a lot of kids in Rydale
3:59
who are sick of feeling like they're not welcome here. I know what it feels like to not be like the others
4:05
I want more. More than I probably should. We have to think big
4:11
Really change things. Everyone already thinks we're such bad girls. Watch out, fellas
4:16
It's a girl game. We're not girls, we're ladies. The Pink Ladies
4:22
I want more. We're gonna need some jackets. Pink Lady pledge is to act cool
4:30
to look cool, and to be cool. Till death do us part
4:37
think pink. The world's changing, boys. Maybe sometimes, you gotta be bad to do good
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