NBC will have Jennifer Lopez front and center when it takes on the iconic musical “Bye Bye Birdie,” which the network has lined up for broadcast in December 2017.
E! News reports that Lopez has joined “Bye Bye Birdie Live!” both as an executive producer and in the role of Rosie Alvarez, which was originated by Chita Rivera on Broadway and has featured Janet Leigh and Vanessa Williams in two feature adaptations of the production.
“‘Bye Bye Birdie’ was inspired by Elvis Presley, and tells the tale of a pop star, his manager Albert, and Albert’s girlfriend Rosie as they plan a contest to find the girl who gets to kiss the pop star before he ships off to the Army,” E! News notes. “Dick Van Dyke originated the role of Albert in both the first Broadway run and the 1963 movie.”
NBC has been doing one major live musical production per year, and the next one up is “Hairspray Live!,” scheduled for Dec. 7. Currently in rehearsals, the production stars Kristin Chenoweth, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson and Sean Hayes.
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