Bye Bye Birdie-Would a fan of the movie musical enjoy it?

[jansal]

Posted: 9/16/09 at 7:10pm

My mom is obsessed with the movie Bye Bye Birdie and I'd like to take her to the revival...but not if it's so terrible in comparison. Anyone have any thoughts? I'm hearing some mixed reviews.

[dented146]

Posted: 9/16/09 at 7:24pm

No matter how good or bad the revival, it will still be miles better than the movie version. If your mother liked the movie, she should love the stage show.

[jansal]

Posted: 9/16/09 at 7:50pm

Really? Is the movie considered to be very bad compared to the broadway show?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/16/09 at 7:52pm

The original Birdie movie or the remake? I assume the original?

[jansal]

Posted: 9/16/09 at 8:08pm

Yes, the original.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/16/09 at 8:12pm

Your mother will hate it. There's no dancing bears or magic pills.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/16/09 at 8:12pm

Updated On: 9/16/09 at 08:12 PM

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 9/16/09 at 8:13pm

Lol Namo.

The spirit of the 2 is the same. The material is just widely different.

Also, the revival isn't getting great word of mouth. The Birdie die hards that adore the original, stage production that is, aren't saying many positive things.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 9/16/09 at 8:30pm

Though the 1963 does have 2 members of the original 1960 Broadway production: Dick Van Dyke and Paul Lynde, numerous changes were made to the film's plot... including expanding the role of Kim MacAfee to showcase up-and-coming hot tamale' Ann-Margret. As with most film adaptations of Broadway musicals, several songs were cut from the film and are heard in the current Broadway revival. Also, the famous "Bye Bye Birdie" theme song, which many are too familiar with, was not in the original 1960 Broadway production -- it was written for the 1963 film adaptation. It is now included in the current Broadway revival at the end of the show including the curtain call.

Disregard any of the negative comments you've read on here. I've seen the revival. It is INSANELY fun and entertaining. Will it bring world peace? No. Will it entertain you? Yes. Even the audience is responding to it incredibly well. Incredibly well. I went expecting to see the show many described on this board. I dunno... but I went ape-**** over it. "Honestly Sincere" was pure INSANITY!

If your mom loved the film... she will LOVE this revival. Its a completely different element a stage production over a film version, but at least she'll be seeing BYE BYE BIRDIE with the songs that were written for it and left out of the film adaptation. Yes, Rose's dance numbers have been left out -- legendary dancer/actress Chita Rivera played Rose in the original 1960 Broadway production, so for all the obvious reasons... it featured her in several dances. Those were eliminated for Gina Gershon's Rose in the current Broadway revival.

I LOVE THIS REVIVAL and hope to see it a few more times. Can NOT wait for the damn Original 2009 Broadway Cast Revival Recording to be released. This revival will definitely get one.

[April Saul]

Posted: 9/16/09 at 11:34pm

Okay, I guess I would add that you can disregard the negative posts about the current revival at your own peril. I grew up listening to the original Broadway soundtrack and really liked the movie, and I thought this version was a badly-acted snoozer, and about as exciting as watching paint dry! I am NOT a grouch and am also pre-disposed to like B'way musicals, even enjoying the minor ones like Wedding Singer and Legally Blonde. It would have REALLY bothered me had I paid much more than the twenty dollars my ticket cost. If you are definitely set on going, I'd try to do it later in the run, when there's at least a chance the show had improved somewhat.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 12:27am

She will enjoy it... if you blindfold her and give her earplugs. :-P

[WestVillage]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 11:08am

"Disregard any of the negative comments you've read on here. I've seen the revival. It is INSANELY fun and entertaining. Will it bring world peace? No. Will it entertain you? Yes. Even the audience is responding to it incredibly well. Incredibly well. I went expecting to see the show many described on this board. I dunno... but I went ape-**** over it. "Honestly Sincere" was pure INSANITY!"

If I hadn't seen BBB and disregarded all the negative comments here, and based on your positive review decided to see it, I would posted on this board that I wasted my time and money based on your comments. Honestly Sincere was a dud in the biggest sense, as was the entire show. Entertained? Not in the least. Bored ... completely. So don't be so quick to ignore the negative comments ... they are just as valid as the positive ones.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 11:35am

I saw the show last night and thought was "okay". Nothing mind blowing but as far as Roundabout goes, it could be worse. Their casting yet again confuses me as hardly anyone in that cast can sing and at times it made me remember doing community theater years ago. John Stamos is fine as Albert, Gershon (who I adore and is the only woman I'm straight for) can't sing to save her life and Nolan Gerard Funk sounded as if he were going to fall asleep during his songs he seemed so disinterested in singing them. Other than that it's harmless entertainment.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 9/17/09 at 3:17pm

If you like the bad movie chances are you'll like the bad revival.

SWEET CHARITY w/Christina Applegate is GYPSY compared to this!

P