Los Angeles, CA – Singer/actress Jennifer Lopez will star and executive produce NBC’s Live Holiday Musical, Bye Bye Birdie scheduled to air in December of 2017.
Inspired by Elvis Presley’s story depicted in the 1950’s, Bye Bye Birdie tells the story of a pop star, his manager Albert Peterson, and Albert’s girlfriend and assistant Rosie, as they plan a contest to find the girl who gets to kiss the star before he ships off to the army.
The announcement was made by NBC’s president Bob Greenblatt, who commented that Lopez was excited to start this upcoming holiday musical which has become a holiday season tradition for NBC.
“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 Greenblatt.
Bye Bye Birdie which won a Tony award in 1961, originally starred by Dick Van Dyke (Mary Poppins, What a Way to Go) and Chita Rivera (Zorba, Call me Madam).
“Broadway musicals and films fueled my childhood and Bye Bye Birdie was one of my favorites,” Lopez said in a statement. The Executive producing team consist of NBC’s musical producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron who are joined by Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas and Benny Medina.
Bye Bye Birdie will mark NBC’s fifth holiday live musical event. Hairspray, starring Kristin Chenoweth, Jennifer Hudson and Harvey Fierstein, will air Dec. 7, 2016 on NBC.
In addition to her role as detective Harlee Santos in Shades of Blue, Ms. Lopez is also currently performing her show in Las Vegas.
Lopez and Goldsmith-Thomas are repped by CAA.
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