Jennifer Lopez to Star in NBC Broadcast of Bye Bye Birdie Live!
(© David Gordon)
NBC has announced plans for its next live musical production, following on the heels of The Wiz Live! and the upcoming Hairspray Live! The network will now present Bye Bye Birdie Live!, starring and executive produced by Jennifer Lopez, according to Variety. As with The Wiz and Hairspray, the show is to be adapted for the small screen by Harvey Fierstein. It is set to air in December 2017.
In addition to Lopez, executive producers will include her company Nuyorican Productions as well as Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas, Benny Medina, Craig Zadan, and Neil Meron, with Universal Television.
First presented on Broadway in 1960, Bye Bye Birdie features a book by Michael Stewart, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Lee Adams. Set in 1958, the story was inspired by rock 'n' roll stars like Elvis Presley and features a song list that includes "Bye Bye Birdie," "Put on a Happy Face," and "A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore." Lopez will take on the role of Rosie. No additional casting has been announced.
More information about NBC's live production of Bye Bye Birdie will be revealed in the coming months.
