While fans still eagerly await this year’s NBC musical, “Hairspray Live!”, they have already announced their next musical, “Bye Bye Birdie Live!” Jennifer Lopez will star as Rosie in this live version of the 1960s musical.
Jennifer says, “Broadway musicals and films fueled my childhood and ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ was one of my favorites. I’m proud to be part of the NBC family with [her current TV show] ‘Shades of Blue’ and I thought it would be a blast to take on one of their big live musicals.”
NBC started airing live musicals in 2013 for a special one night event, starting with “Sound of Music Live!” Two musicals followed, “Peter Pan Live!” in 2014 and “The Wiz Live!” in 2015. This year, they will air “Hairspray Live!” on December 7 which will star Ariana Grande as Penny Pingleton, Kristin Chenoweth as Velma Von Tussle, Garrett Clayton as Link Larkin and introducing Maddie Baillio as Tracy Turnblad.
Even though we’ll have to wait a year to see Jennifer in ‘Bye Bye Birdie Live!’ we know it will be worth the wait! We’re definitely looking forward to this year’s musical and are looking forward to what Jennifer will bring to her role as Rosie in 2017.
What are your thoughts on Jennifer Lopez being cast in next year’s live musical? Let us know @CelebMix on Twitter!