We love you, Village Theatre. Oh yes we do, for bringing “Bye Bye Birdie” to Everett.
Though this endearing musical comedy can be seen so often in high school auditoriums, “Bye Bye Birdie” hasn’t been done professionally in a long time and was originally on stage at Village Theatre in March 1981, said Jacque Rardin, public relations and promotions manager for Village Theatre.
“Most communities and regional theaters and high schools have done it over and over again. This is the first time in a long time that the Seattle area community has seen a professional production of it,” Rardin said. “It really is a different caliber of talent and scenery you will see … and people have said ‘I’ve seen “Birdie” before but not like that.’ We’re not changing the story but adding Village Theatre magic to it.”
“Birdie” is also the kind of show that is family entertainment besides being a lot of fun, Rardin said.
For those who haven’t seen this classic in awhile, a short review of the story line goes like this:
Conrad Birdie (think Elvis Presley) is days away from enlisting in the Army. Birdie is a pop musical idol and will perform one last time on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” The catch is that he is bidding a special farewell to one lucky teenage girl who has won the chance to have Birdie kiss her.
The winner is Kim MacAfee from Sweet Apple, Ohio, a small town that gets tossed like an apple turnover by Birdie’s impending visit. The subplot is that Birdie’s songwriter, Albert, is juggling publicity pressures, his marriage-minded sweetheart, Rosie, and a meddling mother.
This musical is recognized as true Americana entertainment with laughs, recognizable tunes and lots of nostalgia.
” ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ is one of the most hilarious musical satires to hit the stage, with humable melodies and songs the whole family can enjoy,” Robb Hunt, executive producer for Village Theatre, said in a written statement about the show.
“Bye Bye Birdie” is directed and choreographed by Steve Tomkins with musical direction by Bruce Monroe. “Birdie” features Seattle film and stage veteran Laura Kinney as Albert’s mother.
Other notables are Broadway actor Stacey Harris as Rosie, Dane Stokinger as Albert, Dan Connor as Birdie and Cara Rudd, who makes her Village Theatre Mainstage debut as Kim MacAfee.
Arts writer Theresa Goffredo: 425-339-3424 or goffredo@heraldnet.com.
Jay Koh photo for Village Theatre
The teens of Sweet Apple, Ohio, are wired about Conrad Birdie’s visit.
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