Conrad Birdie: Your way

[imnotthatmart]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 1:24pm

Right now im in rehearsals for Bye Bye Birdie and playing Conrad. I am starting to develope the character the way most people would, by trying to be a dumbed up version of Elvis. I was just wondering how you would want to see this character be played. He doesnt have much stage time but what he does have is alot of fun.

[Kringas]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 1:27pm

How do you (or better, how does your director) want him portrayed?

[imnotthatmart]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 1:29pm

I have been given alott of freedom to do whatever i want with the character. Theres lotts of ways i can go with it but i dont know which way i wanna go thats why im asking for help.

[Kringas]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 1:33pm

Frankly, unless the entire show is being reimagined, I don't see much of a way to vary the portrayal of Birdie. Birdie pretty much is a dumbed down version of Elvis.

[Mother's Younger Brother]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 1:36pm

Also, without knowing your looks, your strengths, the tone of the rest of the show set by the director...it's unfortunately a nearly impossible question to answer.

I could say, "Play it like a modern boyband singer," but I have no idea if that works for you or the director.

[MisterRussell]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 4:12pm

"I've been given a lot of freedom with the role" is usually code for "The director has no clue what (s)he's doing, and is letting me direct myself."

You have my pity.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 2/1/07 at 5:05pm

sounds pretty awful. I would mix elvis with timberlake.