Today in theatre history: The original Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie opened at the Martin Beck Theatre (now known as the Al Hirschfeld Theatre) April 14, 1960.
The production, directed and choreographed by Gower Champion, played 607 performances before closing October 7, 1961. The musical would garner eight Tony Award nominations, winning four鈥攊ncluding Best Musical.
The musical鈥攆eaturing music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams, and a book by Michael Stewart鈥攃enters on music executive Albert Peterson, his sweetheart and secretary Rosie Alvarez, and Elvis stand-in Conrad Birdie as the latter descends upon Sweet Apple, Ohio, for "One Last Kiss" before answering a draft notice and joining the army. The comic story is inspired by a real-life situation with Elvis; the musical parodies the screaming teen fans and bewildered parents in the rock 'n' roll icon's orbit.
The original Broadway production starred Chita Rivera as Rose Grant, Dick Van Dyke as Albert Peterson, Dick Gautier as Conrad Birdie, Paul Lynde as Mr. MacAfee, Kay Medford as Mae Peterson, Michael J. Pollard as Hugo Peabody, and Susan Watson as Kim MacAfee.
Rounding out the cast were Jessica Albright, Ed Becker, Vicki Belmonte, George Blackwell, Johnny Borden, Lynn Bowin, Kenny Burrell, John Coyle, Dick Crowley, Dori Davis, Jerry Dodge, Barbara Doherty, Lada Edmund, Tracy Everitt, Don Farnworth, Bud Fleming, Penny Ann Green, Amelia Haas, Lee Howard, Gary Howe, Will Jordan, Judy Keirn, Allen Knowles, Kasimir Kokich, Ed Kresley, Sharon Lerit, Marijane Maricle, Marissa Mason, Jeannine Masterson, Pat McEnnis, Tony Mordente, Oran Osburn, Louise Quick, Charles Nelson Reilly, Norma Richardson, Jimmy Sisco, Bob Spencer, Dean Stolber, Michael Vita, and Karin Wolfe with Carmen Alvarez and Charles Nelson Reilly as standys and Penny Ann Green and Ed Kresley as swings.
Bye Bye Birdie's original Broadway bow featured scenic design by Robert Randolph, costume design by Miles White, lighting design by Peggy Clark, and film sequences by Robert J. McCarty in association with Robert Gaffney, and stage management by Michael Thoma and Edward Nayor.
Three years after its premiere on Broadway, Bye Bye Birdie was adapted into a 1963 film, with Van Dyke and Lynde reprising their roles. The film featured a new title song that was performed by Ann-Margret, who played Kim, in a star-making role. Coincidentally, Ann-Margret's next role would be opposite the real Elvis Presley in Viva Las Vegas.
In 2009, a revival of Bye Bye Birdie came to Broadway starring Nolan Gerard Funk, Gina Gershon, Jayne Houdyshell, Bill Irwin, John Stamos, and Allie Trimm. The production, which reopened the newly rebuilt from (below)鈥坱he ground up Henry Miller鈥檚 Theatre (now known as the Stephen Sondheim Theatre), was presented by Roundabout Theatre Company. Running for 117 performances and 40 previews, the revival was overlooked come Tony time.
Bye Bye Birdie was notably one of the very first musical to feature teenaged protagonists, and the musical remains a popular selection for high school programs across the country. A high-profile revival played Washington D.C.'s Kennedy Center in 2024, starring Christian Borle, Krysta Rodriguez, and Ephraim Sykes.
