2017 NBC Live Musical is "Bye Bye Birdie" — Page 6

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "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.

What working relationship does NPH have with NBC? HIMYM and the Tonys were on CBS.

NPH did that short lived variety type show Best Time Ever for NBC not long ago.



My vote for Albert is Levi. And I think Jonas would make a fine Birdie. I hated him in Les Mis, but have generally liked him in everything else.



I also second Carol Burnett for Mae. That would make this a must-see for me.

I will be seriously disappointed if Albert turns out to be anyone but Levi! I can't think of more perfect casting for the role.

I pictured Sean Hayes as Mr. MacAfee only because I'm imagining a full Paul Lynde repeat but I can see a reimagining. Stephen Colbert would be perfect.

Bruno Mars would be the perfect Conrad Birdie. I wonder if they'll give us the Broadway Kim or the sexed up Ann-Margaret film Kim. I hope they overplay the teen obsessiveness because I always find that entertaining. I sort of hope they overplay a lot of things because this is the show to do it and the last few live shows needed serious energy. And yes to whoever said there needs to be a real live audience throughout the entire show. The numbers and jokes are dead without a live reaction.

I'm seriously excited for this because I love Bye Bye Birdie and I think it can be done well as long as its in the right hands. It just needs needs a lot of energy.

As for J.Lo and whoever is going to play Albert (Levi or NPH are great choices), I just hope there's a real warmth and chemistry there because otherwise I find their storyline to be dead. I think J.Lo will kill the dancing (I hope they don't dumb down the choreography) and as long as she has real personality in her songs and bring that personality to her voice, it will work.

From what I know, the character of Albert is suppose to be in his 30's.

Also... How about Jane Krakowski for Mrs. Macafee? (I read the wiki page about characters lol. I love the Megan Mullally suggestion too).

I still love the idea of Colbert and Benanti as Mr. and Mrs.

This board is funny. Benanti is being cast as a mom in her 50s on this thread and a cockney girl in her late teens in the My Fair Lady revival thread. Make up your minds lol.

Also, I genuinely doubt Colbert would be able to get on an NBC show. Especially because of his rather busy schedule as CBS' The Daily Show host which shoots in NYC (this is probably going to be rehearsed in LA and done there as well).



I'm suggesting Jane Krakowski since she can convincingly play Dove Cameron's mother ^_^

Why would Mrs. Macafee need to be in her 50's??? Her kids are young. Kim is around 15 and Randolph is around 10. In the 50's, I'm sure many women in their mid to late 30's had children of that age.

Levi said he would gladly accept the role.....

https://twitter.com/zacharylevi/status/841759891580624896

the turtle reference is about the silly bit in the original film.

Jeffrey Karasarides said: "Harvey Fierstein has revealed some updates he made to the plot...
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Harvey-Fierstein-Details-Changes-Made-to-NBCs-BYE-BYE-BIRDIE-LIVE-20170330



Yikes.

Wow, some of it doesn't even sound like Bye Bye Birdie anymore. They're both teachers?? The second half of the show is the aftermath of the Sullivan performance, now that's the end? Should be interesting.

MoveOnGypsy said: "Oh for goodness sakes! It's a freaking period piece. Now you've just ruined it and made "slight changes" to "An English Teacher" by making them both teachers? It's not a slight change, it's a complete change. Please! Not only is Jennifer Lopez in it but you change Rosie completely because Jenny from the block wants her to be a struggling Puerto Rican immigrant? Why not just change the whole thing to take place in 1999 and have Conrad Birdie go on TRL?



"

That always been Rosie in the stage musical though, as the Hollywood Reporter article states. I guess Lopez wanted to make sure it didn't turn into a Janet Leigh Rosie, which was doubtful. Even Vanessa Williams played it Latina.