Performance Preview Guide for Bye Bye Birdie
Performances:
In Issaquah: Francis J. Gaudette Theatre, 303 Front Street North, Issaquah
November 8-December 31, 2006
Selected Tuesdays: 8:00 PM
Wednesday-Saturday evenings: 8:00 PM
Sundays and selected Saturday matinees: 2:00 PM
Selected Sunday evenings: 7:00 PM
In Everett: Everett Performing Arts Center, 2710 Wetmore Avenue, Everett
January 5-21, 2007
Wednesday-Saturday evenings: 8:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday matinees: 2:00 PM
Selected Sunday evenings: 7:00 PM
Patrons have different ideas of what material or themes are appropriate for them or their families. For this reason, we provide the following information:
The Production
· Bye Bye Birdie is a hilarious, family-friendly Broadway musical satire on American society as told from the perspective of coming of age teens, a heartthrob rock ‘n roll crooner, his over-stressed manager and the manager’s marriage-minded girlfriend.
Versions available to preview: A movie version of Bye Bye Birdie was released in 1963, starring Jesse Pearson as Conrad Birdie; Dick Van Dyke as his manager, Albert Peterson; Janet Leigh as Albert’s girlfriend, Rosie Alvarez; and Ann Margaret as small town sweetie, Kim MacAfee. A new adaptation for television was made in 1995. It starred Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame in the role of Albert; Vanessa Williams as Rosie; Tyne Daly as the over-bearing mother of Albert, Mae; veteran Broadway actor Marc Kudisch as Conrad; Chynna Phillips as Kim MacAfee, and George Wendt as her father, Harry. A script of the musical is available at the Francis J. Gaudette Theatre and the Everett Performing Arts Center Box Offices for you to read.
Production length: Approximately two-hours, with a one 15-minute intermission. Exact length to be determined.
Synopsis:
Told in a time when rock ‘n roll legend Elvis Presley blasted on to the American scene and played Pied Piper to legions of teen fans, Bye Bye Birdie is a fictional story centering around up and coming rock ‘n roll superstar, Conrad Birdie; his agent and songwriter, Albert Peterson; and Albert's secretary and love, Rosie Alvarez.
The musical opens with a motion-picture montage of Conrad Birdie singing to a screaming pool of teenagers. Then, we are suddenly shifted to the office of the Almaelou Music Company in New York, where Albert finds himself in a pickle: his hottest commodity if about to be drafted into the Army! Unsympathetic, Rosie thinks this is the best thing to happen to Albert—he can now quit show business, go back to college, become an English teacher and settle down with her for a nice quite life together. Despite Rosie’s dream, she helps Albert hatch a plan to put Conrad on the map. Before heading into the Army, Conrad will sing a new song by Albert and give one lucky girl a kiss on The Ed Sullivan Show—his last kiss as a civilian.
A name is picked at random from the Birdie Fan Club and it is Kim MacAfee, aged fifteen, sophomore at the Sweet Apple High in Ohio. Conrad, Albert and Rosie set off to Kim’s house to prepare for the event. However, things don't go quite as planned: Kim's boyfriend becomes jealous of Conrad; Conrad tires of the publicity stunt and moves on to party with Sweet Apple teens; and Albert and Rosie’s relationship reaches the breaking point. This series of entertaining twists and turns eventually collide and become unraveled in riotous and unexpected ways, putting everyone on the path they were meant to be.
Script Content Details
Please note: the following information contains plot spoilers.
Violence: In a comedic fit of jealousy, Kim’s boyfriend, Hugo, punches Conrad in the face during the rocker’s appearance on the Ed Sullivan show, right before Conrad was going to plant his farewell kiss on Kim.
Sexual content: Throughout the musical, teens coo over hunky Conrad, exploring teen infatuation. This sometimes leads Hugo to think the worst and assume Kim is off getting her “thrills” doing the “loop the loop” with Conrad. Also, after coming to the conclusion that Albert is most likely not going to propose, Rosie decides to makeup for lost time. She visits a local bar and finds a group of Shriners in a private meeting room. She proceeds to flirt, dance and make mischief with the all male group, embracing the single life.
Language: No swear words are used. “Meathead” and “stupid” are used once.
Substances:
· Alcohol: Conrad drinks beer.
· Drugs: Albert asks for his pills in reference to aspirin. Conrad, Rosie and Kim smoke a cigarette.