A rapt audience was struck with a little Grease lightning Friday night when John Travolta surprised them at a special sing-along screening of the beloved movie musical in Los Angeles. The Hollywood Bowl event was just getting underway when Travolta, who starred as 1950s greaser Danny Zuko in the 1978 film, strutted on stage to greet his equally stunned costars with hugs before addressing the crowd.
“L.A.?” he asked, channeling one of the movie’s iconic lines. “I thought you were going back to Australia!” Sporting a black leather jacket, a T-shirt, and jeans suitable for Danny himself, Travolta assured fans that he was “rockin’ and rollin’ and whatnot” before leading them in a chorus of “a-womp-bop-a-looma a-womp-bam-boom” from “We Go Together,” the film’s boisterous closing number. Afterward, he and the rest of the cast exited the stage and the sing-along began.
The Hollywood Bowl Event
Also in attendance at the Hollywood Bowl on Friday were Didi Conn (Frenchy), Barry Pearl (Doody), Michael Tucci (Sonny), and Kelly Ward (Putzie), along with the film’s director, Randal Kleiser. Cast members not in attendance included Stockard Channing (Rizzo), Jamie Donnelly (Jan), and Dinah Manoff (Marty). Olivia Newton-John, who played Danny’s love interest, Sandy, died from breast cancer in 2022.
The event was not just a nostalgic trip down memory lane but also a celebration of the enduring legacy of Grease. The film, which started its long life as a 1972 stage musical before getting the big-screen treatment six years later, tells the story of teenage bad boy Danny (Travolta), who falls hard for Aussie good girl Sandy (Newton-John) over the summer. The film received five Golden Globe nominations, and its number “Hopelessly Devoted to You” snagged an Oscar nom for Best Original Song.
The Enduring Legacy of ‘Grease’
As of May 2025, Grease is the fourth-highest-grossing film adaptation of a Broadway musical, behind Wicked, Mamma Mia!, and Les Misérables. The movie is included in the Library of Congress National Film Registry, cementing its status as a cultural touchstone. The film’s themes of young love, rebellion, and self-discovery continue to resonate with audiences of all ages, making it a perennial favorite at sing-along events worldwide.
Travolta shared a shot of his Danny getup on Instagram after the Hollywood Bowl event, along with a video of his appearance on stage. “Tonight at the Hollywood Bowl, for the first time I surprised everyone at the Grease Sing-a-Long and dressed up as Danny Zuko,” he wrote. “No one knew. Not even the cast. Thank you for a great evening.”
Travolta and Newton-John: A Timeless Duo
In 2019, Travolta and Newton-John reprised their roles for the first time ever at a Meet n’ Grease sing-along in West Palm Beach, Fla. Newton-John donned Sandy’s yellow poodle skirt and cardigan for the event, and Travolta wore Danny’s duds just as he did on Friday in L.A. Their chemistry, both on and off the screen, has been a significant factor in the film’s lasting appeal.
The surprise appearance by Travolta at the Hollywood Bowl not only delighted fans but also served as a poignant reminder of the film’s impact over the decades. As audiences continue to celebrate the magic of Grease, events like these ensure that the spirit of Rydell High lives on for future generations.
With nostalgia-driven events gaining popularity, it’s likely that Grease will continue to be a staple of cultural celebrations, bringing together fans old and new to revel in the timeless story of Danny and Sandy.
