Bye Bye Birdie

Musical

Writers: Michael Stewart Charles Strouse Lee Adams

Overview

Show Information

Lyrics
Category
Musical
Number of Acts
2
Tony Award®
Best Musical 1961
First Produced
1960
Genres
Comedy, Romance
Settings
Period
Time & Place
1958, ohio, new york
Cast Size
large
Orchestra Size
Large
Dancing
Some Dance
Ideal for
Community Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Star Vehicle Male
Casting Notes
Mostly female cast
Includes adult, early teen, late teen, young adult, mature adult characters

Synopsis

The year is 1958, and the much-adored rock-and-roll idol -- Conrad Birdie -- has been drafted into the US army. His songwriter and agent, Albert, and Albert’s secretary and some-time girlfirend, Rosie, hatch a plan for a farewell performance to take place on The Ed Sullivan Show, which they hope will help sell Birdie’s new song “One Last Kiss,” and ultimately save Almaelou records from going under. To cap off the performance, Birdie will actually give ‘one last kiss’ to Kim MacAfee, an avid member of the Conrad Birdie fan club from Sweet Apple, Ohio.

When Albert and Rosie head to Sweet Apple to prepare for Birdie’s arrival, things start to unravel. Kim’s father is starstruck at the thought of being on The Ed Sullivan Show with his daughter, and Kim’s new steady, Hugo gets jealous at the thought of Kim kissing Conrad on national television.

Lead Characters


  • Guide written by
  • Jacquelyn Whitaker, Michael Miller

Bye Bye Birdie guide sections