Kim and Conrad are going to have a wait another year or so before their big, one last kiss, because NBC's live Bye Bye Birdie isn't happening until 2019 now—which is actually great 'cause it gives NBC plenty of time to line up our Bye Bye Birdie LIVE dream cast.
Jennifer Lopez as Rose Grant
This one is a done deal. She’s the anchor of this live TV telecast, and I can’t wait for that “Spanish Rose”.
Zachary Levi as Albert Peterson
Tony nominee Zachary Levi would give you everything you need in this role. He’s the most handsome, charming mensch you could find. He can dance “Put on a Happy Face” full-out, and he is proven he can overcome the pressure of live performance.
Nick Jonas as Conrad Birdie
The Broadway alum has swagger, talent, and a huge fan base. Forget Sweet Apple, Ohio, his swiveling hips in “Honestly Sincere” would have all of America fainting.
Melissa Benoist as Kim MacAfee
The Glee and Supergirl star is as nonnegotiable to me as J-Lo. She is the perfect small-town girl torn between her “One Boy” and “A Lot of Livin’ to Do”.
Patti LuPone as Mae Peterson
Imagine the two-time Tony winner in a fur coat and pillbox hat delivering that amazing entrance monologue about taxis, subways, and Lou “struck down by a beverage I consumed faithfully for 32 years”.
Jason Alexander as Mr. MacAfee
The Tony winner starred as Albert in the made for TV adaptation in 1995, and it would be a nice nod to see him move over to the role of the uptight dad, made famous by Paul Lynde.
Audra McDonald as Mrs. MacAfee
The Tony-winning queen brought it to the next level as Mother Abbess in The Sound of Music Live, and hearing her soprano in “Hymn for a Sunday Evening” would be truly religious.
Casey Cott as Hugo Peabody
This swoon-worthy Riverdale star gets our vote for Kim’s steady who can’t compete with Conrad Birdie.
Yara Shahidi as Ursula Merkle
The star of Black-ish and Grown-ish is effervescent on screen, and she nails comedy. It would be a hoot to see her as Kim’s Birdie-obsessed best friend.
