2017 NBC Live Musical is "Bye Bye Birdie"- Page 4

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 5:09pm

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. 

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 5:23pm

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

 

"

Exactly, but she will certainly need some coaching, she will need some work on sustaining notes and building a vibrato. She should get Jake G's vocal coach ASAP.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 5:43pm

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.

Oh, it does have its place among cinephiles, musical fans and adults of a certain age, but its pop culture iconography is nowhere near as enduring as Julie Andrews twirling on a mountain or John Travolta and the boys dancing on a car.  If anyone attempts to recreate those scenes in the most basic of ways, they will be recognized by almost anyone in anywhere USA.  Try that with the title song of Bye Bye Birdie and it will be recognized by almost anyone in a gay piano bar and maybe some retirement communities or probably the green rooms of community theatres in anywhere USA.  Annie has had two Broadway revivals, countless national tours (one going on now), two feature films (one released in 2014), and the TV movie.  It's pretty safe to say it has rarely abandoned a national presence, so even the youngest of kids know it and Grease has never really stopped being a hit on an global scale.  I love Bye Bye Birdie...LOVE IT.  But an iconic scene in the academic sense is not the same as a current presence among multiple generations in today's audiences.  Unless you count that one episode of Mad Men.  So no, I don't believe I am waaaaaay off base when considering what may be considered something overplayed to the point of being "safe" for a TV production given the audiences of today.  Perhaps the world in which you live is entirely different.  I wouldn't know.

Updated On: 10/28/16 at 05:43 PM

[Broadwaywest]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 5:52pm

I too am a fan of bye bye birdie...but oh dear this show is very much of the era. It's going to take a super talented directer to make birdie sing again. Do you think they would take on Bartlett Sher?  I'm all for a new version. The film is fun, but dated. The abc film was pretty terrible, although I enjoyed vanessa williams and Tyne Daly. I very much like the idea of Jennifer Lopez. I think with the right direction she'll be fine. I am defintley in for Jake Gyllenhal as Albert as well. Although, I fear we may end up with the more obvious Neil Patrick Harris, who would be fine as well. 

In my ideal world, this would be done on great performances directed by Ivan Van Hove....now that I would love to see.

 

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 7:25pm

Call_me_Jorge:  Billy Elliott Live might have to be bleeped as much as an episode of The Sopranos.

Updated On: 10/28/16 at 07:25 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 7:29pm

Zachary Levi would be an amazing choice for Albert. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 7:34pm

ggersten- true, but they could easily edit the book to exclude the swears. Didn't pbs adjust it? 

[smidge]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 7:37pm

ljay889 said: "Zachary Levi would be an amazing choice for Albert. 

 

Terrific idea! That could definitely work.

 

[Back Row]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 7:38pm

ljay889 said: "Zachary Levi would be an amazing choice for Albert.

 

 

I was just about to post the same thing. I know that they probably have to cast a big name as Birdie, but I can think of so many Broadway actors who could have fun with that role. Wesley Taylor comes to mind. 

 

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 7:39pm

Yes, Levi would be far more interesting than the predictable NPH. 

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 8:18pm

Harry Connick Jr. might be interesting and he and JLo have worked together before. I'm not sure if he could pull off the more pathetic aspects of Albert, but it's a thought.

[The Josh]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 8:32pm

Zachary Levi would be wonderful!  Or maybe another Georg, Josh Radnor?

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 9:14pm

Call Me Jorge wrote: 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. 

Billy Elliot Live has been done and broadcast on PBS. The DVD and Blu-ray combined have sold about 13K copies. Sadly not impressive...

[Dollypop]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 10:28pm

Zachary Levi for Albert

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 10:32pm

Levi would really be perfection as Albert. I wouldn't be surprised if they skewed a little older, though. Although I'd be down for a cougar Rosie 

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 10:46pm

How about Kelli O'Hara as Mrs. MacAfee? Not a great role, but would be nice to see her in another live event. 

[RW3]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 11:21pm

In honor of JLO's casting, here is her Carpool Karaoke video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQIsdod0LWo

[ljay889]

Posted: 10/28/16 at 11:38pm

And here's one of her better live vocal performances

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rzt3eFKk1To

We're not dealing with Britney Spears. I think Jlo will be fine. 

[SweetLips]

Posted: 10/29/16 at 10:14pm

Maybe you had to be there-but that opening number at Las Vegas!!!-without the hair to toss about-would not have passed the auditions for X Factor.

Those poor male dancers and all those lifts with J Lo while she was still trying to sing--Oh well--cost me nothing to watch those very long 3 mins.

She sure will need some vocal coaching judging by that clip.

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/30/16 at 6:47am

Albert - Matthew Morrison

Harry - David Hyde Pierce

Conrad - Bruno Mars

[smidge]

Posted: 10/30/16 at 7:43am

madbrian said: "Albert - Matthew Morrison

Harry - David Hyde Pierce

Conrad - Bruno Mars

"

Actually, that's very good casting also. The producers should check out these boards.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 10/30/16 at 8:41am

Not sure he would ever take out the time of his busy music career to do it (when not doing his own work, he writes and produces for many others) but the suggestion of Bruno for Birdie is brilliant. I fully endorse that. 

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/30/16 at 8:46am

How about Justin Timberlake as Albert?

[Speed]

Posted: 10/30/16 at 1:44pm

I can't believe no one has mentioned Christian Borle.  The role is perfect for him and NBC loves him.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 10/30/16 at 3:05pm

Won't he be busy starring in every Broadway show? 

 

Just kidding. Borle would make a great Albert, but I think the general assumption is that they'd go with someone more famous.