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Jennifer Lopez To Star In Live 'Bye Bye Birdie'

Jennifer Lopez To Star In Live 'Bye Bye Birdie'

Actress and singer Jennifer Lopez (right) will star in an NBC live version of "Bye Bye Birdie" next year. (Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images) (Left: Screengrab via Twitter)

By    |   Friday, 28 October 2016 11:45 AM EDT

Jennifer Lopez will star in a live version of "Bye Bye Birdie" on NBC in 2017.

The singer-actress will play Rosie and serve as executive producer for the teleplay, NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt announced Thursday, according to USA Today. Harvey Fierstein, who is starring in this year's NBC live production of "Hairspray Live," will write the "Bye Bye Birdie Live" adaptation.

Lopez is currently performing in residency at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas with her show "Jennifer Lopez: All I Have." She is also connected with the network for the reality show "World of Dance. Shades of Blue" in January.

"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," Greenblatt said in a statement to People magazine.

Lopez's role was performed by Chita Rivera in the 1960 Broadway play and the 1963 film version, alongside Dick Van Dyke. Greenblatt said, according to People, that it was Lopez's idea to take on the iconic role.

"Broadway musicals and films fueled my childhood and 'Bye Bye Birdie' was one of my favorites," Lopez said in a statement, per NBC. "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."

NBC's December live presentations included "Peter Pan" in 2014 and "The Wiz" in 2015. Fox did a live version of "Grease: Live" in January. "Hairspray Live," which is scheduled to air on NBC on Dec. 7, includes a slew of big names, from Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth, Martin Short and "Dancing With the Stars" Derek Hough, People noted.

Social media appeared pleased with the announcement of Lopez putting on her dancing shoes.

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TheWire
Jennifer Lopez will star in a live version of Bye Bye Birdie on NBC in 2017.
jennifer lopez, live, bye bye birdie, NBC
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Friday, 28 October 2016 11:45 AM
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