Bye Bye Birdie is definite in 2009-10 Roundabout plans

[Actor 7]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 4:43pm

Outstanding choice for Roundabout to mount the first revival on Broadway since the 1960 original production of BYE BYE BIRDIE. Roundabout will do a first class job and I hope they will use Bob Ginzler's original orchestrations and not updated revised ones.
In 2004, the City Center Encore production used these Ginzler orchestrations thanks to the hard work of Jonathan Tunick, who searched Tams- Witmark archives in order to restore the Ginzler originals. They were big and beautiful and everyone praised Encore for doing this. Can't wait to see this. It will be a big crowd pleaser and may prove very lucrative for Roundabout.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 4:47pm

Goody gumdrops. This is the most exciting news I've heard since I learned that Ernest Borgnine was going to marry Ethel Meman.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 4:47pm

Yes. Bye Bye Birdie will be a great show. Praise to comrade Strouse for such a rich, full score. Praise to the producers who will put on such a great production. Roundabout is all-knowing. Do not question Roundabout.

[Schmerg_The_Impaler]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 4:49pm

I really hope it'll be good. I love Birdie, and there are some really fabulous roles in that show-- I particularly hope someone fantastic plays Harry McAfee! On the other hand... Roundabout is not known for having consistently great shows.

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 4:57pm

"Not known for having consistently great shows" -- ???? Oh, come now, the Roundabout has done UNBELIEVEABLE things to American musicals. You're forgetting their masterful jobs on Little Me, Threepenny Opera (granted, not American), Boys from Syracuse, One Hundred Ten in the Shade (which everyone was just DYING to see), Follies (one of their masterstrokes), and their latest butcher job, Pal Joey. How could you possibly suspect that they might not perform miracles for Bye, Bye Birdie? Tsk, tsk.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:07pm

I wouldn't expect to hear the original Ginzler orchestrations. I imagine you'll be hearing a Jonathan Tunick reduction for something like 15 instruments.

[ljay889]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:22pm

I will trust Tunick's reduction. Wasn't Ginzler his mentor?

Let's just hope to god they add the title song (from both movies). I'll take it as the opener, or during the soda shop like the movie remake did.

[LaRue]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:27pm

I think Eric McKormack and Harvey Fierstien would be ideal for Albert and Mr. McAfee. ANy chance of getting them?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:29pm

I'm wondering if they'll add all of the songs from the recent tour. It seems to be Roundabout's want to tweak with the song selection and book. I think Birdie is pretty perfect on its own. Though they could have better casting options for Mae if they put her song in (though I prefer her Bring Back Birdie solo).

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:29pm

I'm wondering if they'll add all of the songs from the recent tour. It seems to be Roundabout's want to tweak with the song selection and book. I think Birdie is pretty perfect on its own. Though they could have better casting options for Mae if they put her song in (though I prefer her Bring Back Birdie solo).

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:29pm

Harvey wouldn't take that small a part.

[LaRue]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:35pm

There are no small parts and that one would be a good chance for him to show a side of him we don't get to see very often. A straight father who loves his "kids" even if they drive him crazy.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:36pm

Mr. McAfee is a choice part with two fantastic numbers and a chance to steal the show.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:36pm

Eic McCormack for Albert, Harvey Feirstein for Harry. How about Mary Louise Wilson for Mae?

[Ed_Mottershead]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:40pm

How about Jackie Hoffman for Mae?

[LaRue]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 5:41pm

Or Andrea Martin or Cloris Leachman for May.

[BNN]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 6:00pm

I kind of want Will Ferrell as Harry McAfee.

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 6:02pm

I will trust Tunick's reduction. Wasn't Ginzler his mentor?

So will I. He always does great reductions, as well as original orchestrations.

[Amneris]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 6:12pm

Richard Kind would be fabulous as Harry. One of the 12 Billy Elliots as Randolph. Alexandra Socha would be a cute kim. Or Allie Trimm. Debra Monk would be a scream as Mae. Especially if they added in that new song from the 1990s film. Andrea Burns as Rose anyone?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 6:16pm

Bill Irwin was apparently Mr. McAfee in the last workshop. Fabulous casting.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 6:17pm

Allie's too young for Kim. The girl's actually 13. Come on. That would be statutory rape during the ice house scene, unless Trent Kowalik is Conrad Birdie.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 6:19pm

The Kim in the workshop was a newcomer. I just hope they get someone with a legit musical theatre voice (and not a pop belt).

EDIT: The workshop Kim's name is Meredith Hagner.
Updated On: 1/25/09 at 06:19 PM

[Amneris]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 6:19pm

omg she looks 16! Wow then definately one of the girls from spring awakening. Maybe even the blonde Anna replacement. I think her name was Emily.

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 6:20pm

I heard my friend Remy Zaken did readings for that show.

[Amneris]

Posted: 1/25/09 at 6:25pm

wasnt she ursula? or an ensemble girl? does she dance well enough? I love BBB. It would exciting to have a revival like that back.