NBC Announces J-Lo for New Musical in 2017

Last night, NBC-TV announced Jennifer Lopez will take the star role in the holiday musical, Bye Bye Birdie Live!, in December of 2017.

The original production, which harkens back to Elvis Presley’s induction into the United States Army in 1957, received high praise in the form of four Tony Awards in 1961, including: Best Musical, Best Direction of a Musical, Best Choreography and Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical.

The live stage musical will be under the direction of Harvey Fierstein, who is more than well-equipped to handle the score. Fierstein has been a part of what many may consider a plethora of Tony Awards in the past, including six in 2013 when he wrote the stage musical for Kinky Boots, which later won Best Musical.

NBC’s Bob Greenblatt was quoted during the announcement at the panel saying, “She [Lopez came to us and said, ‘I love this movie and I’d love to do it.”

Jennifer Lopez (J-Lo), who has expressed anticipation for the role on her Twitter account, is not exactly a tyro to the musical scene, either.

Feeling very ROSIE today…#ByeByeBirdieLive! coming December 2017 to @nbctv #wegottalottalivin‘todo #nbcufamily pic.twitter.com/zKLtlb7m84

— Jennifer Lopez (@JLo) October 28, 2016

In fact, her career was launched on the foundation of musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar and Oklahoma!, both which added to her impressive portfolio. While Lopez -who will take on the role of Rose “Rosie” Alvarez-has stuck to voice-acting in recent years, she will also be a co-producer of the piece.

Stay tuned for more Bye Bye Birdie Live! and J-Lo news in the future.