Below are highlights from the panelists speaking about the making and execution of their showstoppers.
That opening number encapsulates what the genre was all about to us.
Platt said everyone went for it, and embraced a show-must-go-on mentality well beyond the weather conditions.
Credit: Todd Williamson/Getty Images
The show had to go on and so we did and for that were grateful.
Born to Hand Jive
Woodlee reflected on the complex choreography.
It was a lot of trial and error, he said.
Does this feel good?
If we remember it tomorrow, maybe its right?
The number itself was the biggest math problem.
If anyone would have moved a little bit we wouldve lost an eye, a thumb, a foot.
The biggest note was dont kill yourself, have a good time.
Things were just as complex behind the scenes.
To pull it off, the production leaned heavily on the live TV aspect.
For Kail, another standout was the way Kitt updated the orchestration and arrangement.
That song, its part of us, Kail said.
You dont need to remember when you first heard that song.
Very theatrical presentation, they start in one place [and] you think you know it.
Youre able to see the scene changes.
Kail spoke to the changes seen in the show as well.
Its okay that we see a little bit of [Martys] dress change.
Thats part of what were saying, thats right, this is happening now.
As for the leading lady here, Kail also praised theScream Queensstars performance.
This is like watching a star being born, Keke Palmer looking down the barrel.
You could hear America, like, flipping through their programs.
Hudgens, meanwhile didnt want it to end.
Right afterwards it was like, Wait, we dont get to do this again?
Hopefully they like it.
Weve had a great time doing it.
What if we go inward, he thought of how to wrap while working on the music.
Added Platt, it was the perfect musical ending.
