2017 NBC Live Musical is "Bye Bye Birdie"

[WayTooBroadway]

"WHY?"  Because those who know and love Broadway is not just the audience for this.  It's middle America.  Those are the ones tuned in to Carrie Underwood (and got to know Audra McDonald) in The Sound of Music.


You already know "WHY?," but since you need it spelled out.  Color me excited for this.

[CarlosAlberto]

This is actually pretty great casting. Jennifer Lopez is a fantastic dancer and I have no doubt she's gonna slay the "Sultan's Ballet". Her vocals have actually improved over the years. Realistically, the type of music she performs does not require a lot of range or vocal pyrotechnics.

However, she really surprised me when she performed a tribute to slain Tejano singer Selena - who she played in the 1996 bio pic at the 2015 Billboard Awards In the film she was dubbed with Selena's actual recordings, but for the tribute Jennifer sang the songs herself ans she pretty much nailed it. I was surprised, she did a fantastic job and held a note at the end of the last song in the medley she performed that really impressed me because I did not know she had it in her. With some more vocal training she will be able to easily handle her "Birdie" songs.

It's not like she's gonna be playing "Eva Peron", the score and "Rosie's" songs in it are pretty light to begin.

[Mildred Plotka]

I'm in! My love of musical theatre began with Bye Bye Birdie.  I think it's a pretty perfect musical.  I hope they stick with the original libretto and don't try toe shoehorn new songs in.  Lopez is ideal for this.  They should cast a Broadway pro as Albert, so Lopez feels safer in taking risks. Maybe Tony Yazbeck or Gavin Creel.  Jonathan Groff would be superb, but might read too young next to Lopez. Nick Jonas would be an ideal Birdie.

[RW3]

ljay889 said: "neonlightsxo said: "Why the hate for Birdie? It's a great choice. What were you expecting: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson?

 

 

  

 

 


 
"I'm confused and shocked right now."
Nothing about this is shocking or confusing. "

 

 

 


Exactly. If anything, this has been predicted since The Sound of Music!

On another note, it amazes me how rarely a Latina actress is cast in this fabulous role. From Janet Leigh, Ann Reinking, Vanessa Williams to Gina Gerson, it's pretty shocking. Jennifer is the right choice for this type of event, she can act, dance her ass off, now she just needs to get her vocals strong enough to sing a musical theater role that requires a fair amount of vocal versatility.

 Sorry for being confused as to why this news decided to come out at 11:17 pm on a Thursday and for being shocked because their 2017 musical wasn't even in my conscience.

 

 

 

 

 


"

 

 

[lovebwy]

I hope they come to their senses and have some kind of live studio audience this time. The shows are DOA without it. Just moribund.

I think, if done right, this could be very good. The movies are utter disasters. However, Tommy Tune's touring version from the '90s was fantastic. The "high school" boys they cast were really hot, and they were acting all butch during the Telephone Song. I remember sitting there in the audience falling in love with some of them. If you have that, and a Conrad Birdie who is actually sexy, it could work.

Probably not, though.

 

 

[MrsSallyAdams]

Do folks thing Conrad Birdie will be presented as Elvis Presley? The Broadway production (and the sequel) aimed for this. The two films gave their actors the look but not the vocal stylings.

I've seen modern productions that tried to turn him into Paul McCartney, Jerry Lee Lewis and whatever Nolan Funk was doing in the Roundabout production. 

[darquegk]

Marc Kudisch's vocal performance was very "Elvis movies" Elvis. The character is sort of a melange: he's inspired by Elvis, named after Conway Twitty, and acts like Jerry Lee Lewis.

[Broadway Bob*]

JohnyBroadway said: "Jackie Hoffman for Mae?"

I thought the EXACT same thing!!! And I want them to include the song written for Tyne Daly in the TV version - "A Mother Doesn't Matter Anymore"! Jackie would steal the entire show!!!

[MinnieFay]

HenryTDobson said: "I actually think this is a great choice! This show has a bad rep cuz it's so commonly done in high schools, but I always enjoy it. I know he's super busy, but Lin Manuel would be a great Albert."

 

No. Just....no.

[Mister Matt]

I know he's super busy, but Lin Manuel would be a great Albert.

Perhaps he would, but you would have to cut or replace Spanish Rose as it would be too difficult to justify using it.  If Albert is Hispanic himself, then what would spark Rosie's sarcasm towards his mother that initiates the song?

[givesmevoice]

Jake Gyllenhaal can play Albert.

[CindersGolightly]

BWayBound115 said: "I would love to see James Corden as Albert"

Yes yes yes yes yes yes. 

[Mildred Plotka]

Cordon would be great. Though I doubt CBS would allow it. 

And can we please at leastcheck casting requirements before suggesting Miranda for everything   

[ljay889]

Yeah, please at least check Wikipedia before suggesting Lin for everything. Ethnicity plays a big role between the two leads.

[CindersGolightly]

Let's all check our common sense before dreamcasting Lin in anything where he has to sing.

[SweetLips]

Don't you honestly think that before 'they' offered Ms Lopez the part that there was endless discussion between 'them' and her whether she,and them, thought she was suitable for the part ?

There would be no 'Oh J Lo would be good let's just tell her she's got the part'.

This discussion would have been going on for months before the announcement was made yesterday and BOTH parties happy with the casting[and being able to sing and act the part].

[MichelleCraig]

After a hit Broadway show, a hit Hollywood movie, a sort-of-hit made-for-television-movie, this is probably as "safe" as you can go. I get that they need "mainstream," but this one feels like it's been done to death...

Of course I'll take a look at it and hope it's a hit for NBC so they'll keep producing these. Maybe at some point, they'll get a little more adventurous.

[jacobsnchz14]

“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 Chairman Robert Greenblatt, who has been the driving force behind NBC’s signature live productions. “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.”

http://www.nbcumv.com/news/nbc-drafts-jennifer-lopez-executive-produce-and-star-tony-award-winning-musical-%E2%80%98bye-bye-birdie?network=33129

[MinnieFay]

SweetLips said: "Don't you honestly think that before 'they' offered Ms Lopez the part that there was endless discussion between 'them' and her whether she,and them, thought she was suitable for the part ?

There would be no 'Oh J Lo would be good let's just tell her she's got the part'.
 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Obviously you've never worked in show biz!!  That's EXACTLY how it happens many times!

 

[Mister Matt]

After a hit Broadway show, a hit Hollywood movie, a sort-of-hit made-for-television-movie, this is probably as "safe" as you can go. 

No, Annie and Grease are as "safe" as you can go.  The lukewarm TV movie was over 20 years ago and neither it nor the original film have endured very well in pop culture.  The lukewarm tour with Reinking and Tune (which inspired the TV movie) received little recognition outside of a token Tony performance (touring and non-nominated show performances aren't really a recent development) and the 2009 revival bombed.  The only real lasting impression has been in the hands of regional and amateur productions (personally, I've only experienced two of them in my lifetime).  Putting money into another high-profile professional production where others have had little-to-no-success since the original (which only ran 18 months) is really not that safe at all.  It's probably riskier than Once Upon a Mattress. 

[CarlosAlberto]

Mister Matt wrote:  The lukewarm TV movie was over 20 years ago and neither it nor the original film have endured very well in pop culture.  

The bolded part of that sentence is waaaaaay off base. The original 1963 film version of BYE BYE BIRDIE took liberties with the original material, but one thing is for sure is that it is considered a classic and the film that made Ann-Margret a bankable Hollywood movie star, her performance in it and the infamous opening and closing segments where she sings the film's title song are iconic and part of pop culture history.

 

[smidge]

J Lo will be fine. It's not like they're asking her to sing Carmen.

[oknazevad]

ljay889 said: "Yeah, please at least check Wikipedia before suggesting Lin for everything. Ethnicity plays a big role between the two leads."

Well, spoiler alert (for a 50+ year old show), it does turn out that mamma, and therefore Albert, is at least part Hispanic, though she tried to whitewash herself. 

 

[SweetLips]

MinnieFay---What drugs are you on?

PS--I don't understand your reply anyway. You're saying--the head honchos from the network ring Ms Lopez agents and say 'She has the part'. No discussion or will she be available in Dec 2017???

Please explain from your wealth of show biz knowledge as you are somehow involved in 'the biz'.

Enlighten this poor member of the audience.

Thanks.....SL

[BroadwayMan5]

BWayBound115 said: "I would love to see James Corden as Albert

 

"

Oh YES. I like that idea much more than my suggestion! Corden would be fantastic

[Call_me_jorge]

NBC should do Billy Elliot Live! They wouldn't have to go through an trouble obtaining the rights since universal already owns it and it's a relatively known title. I think it could work.