Bye Bye Birdie is Back

The Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie begins performances at the newly renovated Henry Miller's Theatre.

Set in 1960 and featuring music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams and a book by Michael Stewart, Bye Bye Birdie finds hip-swingin’ superstar Conrad Birdie has been drafted into the army. Birdie’s manager Albert and his secretary Rosie have cooked up a plan to send him off with a swell new song and one last kiss from a lucky teenage fan… on The Ed Sullivan Show.

The cast will be led by John Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gina Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee), Nolan Gerard Funk (Conrad Birdie), Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson) and Dee Hoty (Mrs. MacAfee) and will also feature Matt Doyle (Hugo Peabody), Molly Ephraim (Ursula Merkle), Jake Evan Schwencke (Randolph MacAfee) and Allie Trimm (Kim MacAfee). 

Also included in the cast are Deanna Cipolla, Paula Leggett Chase, Riley Costello, John Treacy Egan, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Todd Gearheart, Patty Goble, Suzanne Grodner, Robert Hager, Nina Hennessey, Natalie Hill, Julia Knitel, Jess Le Protto, David McDonald, Jillian Mueller, Paul Pilcz, Daniel Quadrino, Devin Richards, Emma Rowley, Tim Shew, Alison Strong, Jim Walton, Brynn Williams and Branch Woodman.

Bye Bye Birdie won a Tony Award for Best Musical, originally opened at the Martin Beck Theatre on April 14, 1960, transferring twice and playing a total of 607 performances before closing on October 7, 1961. A 1963 film adaptation followed, starring Dick Van Dyke as Albert, Janet Leigh as Rosie, Ann-Margret as Kim McAfee, Paul Lynde as Harry MacAfee and Maureen Stapleton as Mama Mae Peterson, going on to be nominated for two Academy Awards.

Bye Bye Birdie’s creative team includes Andrew Jackness (sets), Gregg Barnes (costumes), Ken Billington (lights), Acme Sound (sound), David Holcenberg (musical director) and David Chase (music supervisor).

The production will play through January 10, 2010.