Jennifer Lopez Set for NBC’s Bye Bye Birdie Live Musical

UNIVERSAL CITY: NBC is teaming up with Jennifer Lopez for Bye Bye Birdie Live!, a 2017 holiday production of the celebrated Broadway musical.

Lopez will star in the role of Rosie and executive produce with her producing partners Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Benny Medina alongside live musical executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Harvey Fierstein, who has won Tony Awards for both acting (Torch Song Trilogy, Hairspray) and writing (La Cage Aux Folles, Torch Song Trilogy), will pen the teleplay adaptation. Fierstein wrote the teleplay for NBC’s Hairspray Live!, in which he will also co-star.

“To have a superstar like Jennifer Lopez starring in this classic show, which every high school in America has done, will ensure that our holiday musicals continue to be must-see events for the whole family,” said NBC Entertainment’s chairman, Robert Greenblatt. “It was her idea to take on this classic singing and dancing role made famous by the legendary Chita Rivera, and we are so happy to oblige! This show has delighted audiences for generations with classic songs that include ‘Put on a Happy Face’ and ‘A Lot of Livin’ to Do,’ and this will be an extravagant production built around this big star.”

“Broadway musicals and films fueled my childhood and Bye Bye Birdie was one of my favorites,” said Lopez. “I’m proud to be a part of the NBC family with Shades of Blue and I thought it would be a blast to take on one of their big live musicals.”