2017 NBC Live Musical is "Bye Bye Birdie" — Page 5

This is pretty exciting news. "Bye Bye Birdie" is a much beloved show and casting smeone like Jennifer Lopez who is extremely talented and has a pretty strong fan base that spans many demographics is a recipe for success...if it's done right.

I am eager to see who they surround her with to support her.

Not nearly as familiar-to-everyone of a show as Sound of Music, Peter Pan, The Wiz, Grease, Rocky Horror, or Hairspray, but probably brilliant in terms of casting. Between Jennifer Lopez as Rosie, along with the perfect opportunities to cast a young starlet as Kim and a modern teen heartthrob as Conrad (unless those are the characters they'll be taking the Dorothy/Tracy-route with and have open auditions).

Marc Kudisch, who of course played Conrad Birdie in the 1991-92 national tour and the 1995 TV movie was recently on Broadway.com's Live at Five where he actually gave a very interesting idea for the live NBC production…
@18:50 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWeiPachASU

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Marc Kudisch, who of course played Conrad Birdie in the 1991-92 national tour and the 1995 TV movie was recently on Broadway.com's Live at Five where he actually gave a very interesting idea for the live NBC production…
@18:50 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWeiPachASU"

I love that idea. Really love it.

Albert needs to be Zachary Levi. I can't think of anyone more perfect, his singing voice is even reminiscent of Dick Van Dyke. NPH is too predictable. I'm sure Rosie will be a contender for Mae.

Updated On: 2/6/17 at 09:02 PM

Zachary Levi is definitely a great choice for Albert too. In fact, what Levi and NPH both have in common (aside from their obvious musical theatre backgrounds) is their previous working relationships with NBC.

YES, mc1227! I've had Andrea Martin pegged for Mae since I found out she'd be involved in Hairspray. She and Judy Kaye are truly the best musical show-stealers.

Also, I third (fourth?) Zachary Levi as Albert! Dream team.

GreatBroadwayFan said: "Here's my DREAMCAST ideas for Bye Bye Birdie Live!

https://youtu.be/yiz5fiFYq-k



"

I WOULD SO WATCH THIS if Stephen Colbert and Laura Benanti played Mr. and Mrs. MacAfee!!!!

Well, we have our directing team, Jerry Mitchell and Alex Rudzinski. I actually think this could be really great. Jerry Mitchell's choreography and staging for "Hairspray Live" was the best part of the broadcast for me. Hopefully Rudzinski can recapture the camera work magic he created for "Grease". "Hairspray" for me was a bit hit-or-miss for me at times.

Nicely said darquegk

Birdie was my first musica so left quite an impression as this young man developed, mentally and physically. Really looking forward to this one.

Please don't let Rosie anywhere near this--can't stand to even LOOK at this woman-some people just grate and she sure does.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/VIDEO-Nick-Jonas-to-Star-in-NBCs-BYE-BYE-BIRDIE-LIVE-J-Lo-Teases-Name-Has-Come-Up-20170309



Oh boy. How are we feeling about this one (assuming they end up getting him)?

Nick Jonas = ZZZZZZZZZ

Seriously, Harvey Fierstein would make a great Mae