Joined: 12/31/69
So, I heard someone's planning a revival of Bye Bye Birdie. Could someone tell me:
(a) If this is true
(b) Who is thinking of doing this
(c) Who they are thinking for this show
Bye Bye Birdie is the one show my theater-loving aunt has said she will never see again (I was in it, my sister was in it three times, my cousin was in it twice and she saw it when it was on tour awhile ago) and I'm sure a lot of people feel similarly because of community theater/high schools doing it so much, but I'm kinda interested. I think if they did a good job with it and got a really talented Albert and Rosie, it could work. Whatcha think?
blech...after seeing the made for tv movie with Jason, Marc and Vanessa - I couldn't sit through a production of it again - no matter who was in it...
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
I would be all about a revival of 'Bye, Bye Birdie.'
Hey, we all have our guilty pleasures.
and why is that? he's a handsome guy, sure, but he cannot stay on pitch to save his life, which really bothers me. Listen to any recording of a show he's been in and you'll see how he never quite makes it up to the note he's reaching for, or falls off and just hovers about a quarter tone under the pitch - I can't believe people pay him to do that 8 times a week. (and yes - I've seen him live on several occasions and the same thing always happens, so it's not just on recordings)
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Feh. I like his voice. Everybody's Got the Right gives me chills. hehe
I think BBB is due for a Revival. I enjoyed the 95 movie...
I enjoyed Marc in the TV movie (and I don't hate that movie as much as most others do, although, I haven't seen it since it aired either. But I like the CD.)
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
There was some talk of a possible revival a few months ago around the time of the Encores! production of the show. Nothing official though.
The Kennedy Center was going to revive it for this season, but those plans fell through somehow, and now hairspray is coming to the kennedy center.
I think there will be a revival in the next couple of years (On Broadway) If they spice up the show a little, it could be truely enjoyable.
It IS truly enjoyable. But I suppose I am a bit biased since I will be playing Albert Peterson beginning next week. :O) Our production is using some of the positive changes from the '95 movie such as the title song opening and Mrs. Peterson's second act showstopper.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Yeah, when I did Bye Bye Birdie in highschool, they added Mrs. Peterson's song and that extended version of Bye Bye Birdie from the 1995 movie (my sister sang 'And on my calendar I mark the fateful day when he'll repot to Uncle Sam and bravely march awaaaayyyyy' I was so proud hehe). I was Kim (teehee). I loved being a part of it and I think it would be great to see on Broadway, in comparison to all the little productions I've seen over the years.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/14/04
I believe its going to star Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, Clay Aiken, and Hilary Duff to name a few. Spike Lee will be directing.
i wouldnt mind seeing a revival also..it's a fun show.
The only problem w/ the show is I think it's over done in community theatre and schools. Just like Little Shop. I LOVE both of these shows but unless they get "Big Names" in there it won't be a successful as it should. In the last 3 years I've been to two school performances and one community theatre performance.. Just my thoughts. Again I love the show but think it's done too often outside of Broadway...
I just saw a production of "Two Cities" with Matt Bogart and couldn't help thinking he would make a great Conrad Birdie---is anyone familiar with him or his work?
I could def. see Matt Bogart as Conrad. I think he's got the sex appeal too
and I agree it's way overdone by community/ high scool theaters. That would be the only problem with getting it back to Broadway.
I just know around here that's all that High Schools and Community Theatres seem to be doing... LOL I love the show but I don't want it to open then close 3 months later because of low ticket sales... Updated On: 9/2/04 at 01:52 PM
im posting this because margo surely knows this:
the character of conrad birdie was based on elvis presley but from what other popular recording artist did they get the character's name from?
c'mon margo, don't let me down...
I think they should get Sebastian Bach to play Conrad and raise all of his music an octave or so. I'd definitely pay Broadway prices to see that!
"I wash my face, then drink beer, then I weep. Say a prayer and induce insincere self-abuse, till I'm fast asleep"- In Trousers
Featured Actor Joined: 8/24/04
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
Just got in from a very long, very crazy evening, and apparently my name has been invoked in my absence..............
Conrad Birdie was based on Elvis Presley and Conway Twitty -- a teen idol at the time and later a major country music artist.
Off to bed......
No revivals happpening.
There were two major productions of Birdie announced this summer. One was at the Kennedy Center and the other Encores!
They were announced around the same time. Shortly after the announcement, the Kennedy Center production was pulled. Encores did theirs and it meet with mild reviews. Encores was hoping this would be their next Broadway transfer, but it's not happpening.
So..we go from two productions to no productions. It's a great show but needs some updates.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/18/04
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