2017 NBC Live Musical is "Bye Bye Birdie" — Page 3

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.

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.












"

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.

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!!!

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?

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

Yes yes yes yes yes yes.

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

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].

“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

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.

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

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