Borle, Sykes, and Rodriguez will lead Kennedy Center's BYE BYE BIRDIE

Christian Borle, Krysta Rodriguez, & Ephraim Sykes Will Lead Kennedy Center's BYE BYE BIRDIE (broadwayworld.com)

Casting has been announced for The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts's Broadway Center Stage production of Bye Bye Birdie. The production will star two-time Tony Award® winner Christian Borle (Some Like It Hot, Something Rotten!) as Albert Peterson, Krysta Rodriguez (Into the Woods, Spring Awakening) as Rosie Alvarez, and Tony Award® nominee Ephraim Sykes (Ain’t Too Proud, NBC’s Hairspray Live!) as Conrad Birdie.

The production will be directed by Marc Bruni (Beautiful, the Kennedy Center’s Guys and Dolls, The Music Man, and How to Succeed…), with choreography by Denis Jones (Tootsie, The Kennedy Center’s Guys and Dolls). Tickets for Bye Bye Birdie go on sale to Kennedy Center Members tomorrow and to the public on February 22 via the Kennedy Center website or by calling 202-467-4600. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

“After a four year postponement from March 2020, what a thrill it is to finally be producing the joyous Bye Bye Birdie for Broadway Center Stage! With Marc Bruni and Denis Jones—who did such great work with our Guys and Dolls in 2022—alongside this starry Broadway cast, the show could not be in the better hands,” said Jeffrey Finn, Broadway Center Stage Artistic Director and Kennedy Center Vice President and Executive Producer of Theater.

Before I opened the post, I saw Sykes in the title and was intrigued the by idea of Wanda Sykes as Albert's mother.

Caroline Aaron and Richard Kind will be amazing in this.

I hope this production transfers.

Looking at the digital program for the show --

Robert Cary & Jonathan Tolins have adapted the book for this production. How does it compare to previous versions? Have they made any changes, textually or subtextually, related to Conrad's race? (this being smalltown America in the 50s...)

I think I caught a change of Kim's age in one of the song previews (21, instead of 15, which is smart and necessary).

Also looks like they do not include any of the "optional" licensed songs (the title song from the movie, Let's Settle Down, and A Mother Doesn't Matter Any More).

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Looking at the digital program for the show --

Robert Cary & Jonathan Tolins have adapted the book for this production. How does it compare to previous versions?Have they made any changes, textually or subtextually, related to Conrad's race? (this being smalltown America in the 50s...)

I think I caught a change of Kim's age in one of the song previews (21, instead of 15, which is smart and necessary).

Also looks like they do not include any of the "optional" licensed songs (the title song from the movie, Let's Settle Down, and A Mother Doesn't Matter Any More)."

Changing Kim’s age to 21 from 15 or 16 is ridiculous and would completely change the show. It’s about “kids.” Please tell me they haven’t tried to make this very 50s show woke.

QueenAlice said: "ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Looking at the digital program for the show --

Robert Cary & Jonathan Tolins have adapted the book for this production. How does it compare to previous versions?Have they made any changes, textually or subtextually, related to Conrad's race? (this being smalltown America in the 50s...)

I think I caught a change of Kim's age in one of the song previews (21, instead of 15, which is smart and necessary).

Also looks like they do not include any of the "optional" licensed songs (the title song from the movie, Let's Settle Down, and A Mother Doesn't Matter Any More)."

Changing Kim’s age to 21 from 15 or 16 is ridiculous and would completely change the show. It’s about “kids.” Please tell me they haven’t tried to make this very 50s show woke."

Seriously. I could understand 18 maybe but even that is pushing it. But if they're concerned about the creepy level than change some dialogue in that scene between her and Conrad. Kim has to be a teenager for the show to make sense.

Was Harvey doing book overhaul and Mae I hope?!?! I would sell a limb for that.

There is NO change to Kim’s age.

Saw this tonight and Kim is 16 in this production. Not sure why some were stating that they had increased the character's age.

Globefan said: "I wonder if this production could transfer"

I don't see it transferring for a while if it does given how full the 24/25 season will be

I agree. I like a lot of people in the cast individually, and I love Birdie, but I feel like it's one of those shows that either needs to be embraced as full 50s cartoonish fun or modernized and hip with clear connections to the present. This seems like neither, and those pictures make it look very cheap. I mean, Krysta's wig?! No.