NBC Sets BYE BYE BIRDIE as Next Live Musical - Theater Fans React!

As BWW reported last night, NBC has announced that their next live musical will be BYE BYE BIRDIE. The 2017 holiday production of the celebrated Broadway musical will feature Jennifer Lopez in the iconic role of "Rosie." The actress and singer will also executive produce the project with her producing partners Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Benny Medina alongside award-winning film, TV, and 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.

Following the announcement, theater fans took to social media to react to the news. Check out some of their responses below:

Nicolas Mijares: Oh my god I love this show and can't wait to see Jennifer Lopez in the role of Rosie!!!
Christian Segui : As much as I love this show... I was hoping next year would be Little Shop of Horrors.... maybe 2018??

Lauren Silver good choice though in the future NBC should do a show like Oliver! or The Secret Garden or Annie Get Your Gun or Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat (just to name a few which would be worth seeing live)

Sivan I played Rosie in my school production of Bye Bye Birdie....does this somehow mean I'm JLO? Is that too far a jump?

Danny Deraney ‏ NBC, 3 words for you. Paul Lynde Hologram. #ByeByeBirdie

Robbie Rozelle You guys KNOW that @SeanHayes is gonna be Mr. McAfee

Fairydust ‏Raul Esparza would be an amazing co-star..!

Mic X ‏ this is kinda exciting after @Lavernecox slayed the #fox stage with @RockyHorrorFOX I'm open to what's coming. @KennyOrtegaBlog choreo?

David Dillon I want to see EVITA starring Lady Gaga.

Edgardo Luis Rivera I'm so excited, JLo is perfect for the role as Rosie

Hannah Marie Smela One of my top 3 favorite musicals!!

Stacy Sosebee-West Not my favorite HOWEVER I will watch any live musical on tv I can find.

And what did Ms. Lopez have to say about the news? Check out her tweet from today below:

Are you excited for BYE BYE BIRDIE LIVE!? Be sure to weigh in with your own thoughts on NBC's fifth live musical production!

BC's "Bye Bye Birdie Live!" will be based on the 1960 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical that starred Dick Van Dyke as Albert Peterson (earning Van Dyke a Tony) and Chita Rivera as Rosie (earning Rivera a Tony nomination). The book was by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse.

"Bye Bye Birdie" was also a 1963 Golden Globe-nominated feature film that starred Van Dyke and Janet Leigh. Featured in the movie was Ann-Margret as Kim MacAfee, a role that would propel her to stardom.

Set at the height of rock 'n' roll, "Bye Bye Birdie" takes us to Sweet Apple, Ohio, where hip-thrusting music heartthrob Conrad Birdie is scheduled to give a lucky Sweet Apple lady "One Last Kiss" before being drafted into the Army. Conrad's rock 'n' roll ways send the small town reeling, giving the teens Birdie fever, shocking the parents with moral indignation, and placing songwriter/agent Albert Peterson along with his savvy sweetheart, Rosie, right in the thick of things. The story was inspired by the incredible popularity of Elvis Presley and his induction into the Army in 1957.

Multi-award winners Zadan and Meron executive produced each of NBC's prior live productions - "The Sound of Music Live!," "Peter Pan Live!" and "The Wiz Live!" - and will serve in the same capacity on the upcoming "Hairspray Live!"

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos