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NEW YORK, Oct. 28 (UPI) -- Jennifer Lopez has signed on to star in NBC's next live musical, Bye Bye Birdie. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the show will be based on the 1960 Tony award-winning musical that starred Dick Van Dyke and Chita Rivera.
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Bye Bye Birdie, based on the Michael Stewart novel of the same name, with lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse, follows agent and songwriter Albert Peterson (Van Dyke) and girlfriend Rosie Alvarez (Rivera) as they promote famous singer Conrad Birdie's final song before he heads off to war.
The musical was inspired by Elvis Presley when he was inducted into the Army in 1957. Lopez will be portraying Rosie Alvarez.
"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 chairman Robert Greenblatt.
According to Greenblatt, Lopez was the one who approached NBC about starring in the production. "Broadway musicals and films fueled my childhood and Bye Bye Birdie was one of my favorites," the actress and pop star said.
"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," she continued.
Lopez has also signed on to executive produce.
Before Bye Bye Birdie arrives next year, NBC will be broadcasting Hairspray Live! on Dec. 7 which stars Jennifer Hudson, Ariana Grande, Kristin Chenoweth, Martin Short, Derek Hough, Dove Cameron, Garrett Clayton, Sean Hayes, Rosie O'Donnell, Andrea Martin and newcomer Maddie Baillio.
Bye Bye Birdie is slated to premiere during the holiday season of 2017.
