Bye Bye Birdie to End Broadway Run on January 24

The Roundabout Theater Company's Broadway revival of Bye Bye Birdie will close on January 24, 2010, when the leading actors' contracts end. The Robert Longbottom-helmed tuner, starring John Stamos and Gina Gershon, began previews at the Henry Miller's Theatre on September 10 and opened on October 15. The limited engagement, which will have played 40 previews and 117 performances at the time of its closing, was originally slated to play through January 10.

In addition to Stamos (Albert Peterson), Gershon (Rose Alvarez), Bye Bye Birdie stars Nolan Gerard Funk (Conrad Birdie), Bill Irwin (Mr. Harry MacAfee), Jayne Houdyshell (Mrs. Mae Peterson) Dee Hoty (Mrs. MacAfee), Matt Doyle (Hugo Peabody), Molly Ephraim (Ursula Merkle), Jake Evan Schwencke (Randolph MacAfee) and Allie Trimm (Kim MacAfee), and features 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.

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 just as he 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. One of the most produced musicals in Broadway history, the show features hit songs including “Put on A Happy Face,” “Kids,” “Spanish Rose,” “The Telephone Hour” and “A Lot of Livin’ To Do.” 

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).