‘Bye Bye Birdie’ opens
Hit songs for the classic musical include “Put on a Happy Face,” “One Last Kiss,” “One Boy,” “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” “Kids!,” “Rosie” and the renown “Telephone Hour” opening number.
The musical, “Bye Bye Birdie,” will open at the Trumpet in the Land Amphitheatre on Friday, July 6 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets for Tuscarawas County residents are $10 for this special performance, half off the regular price.
“Bye Bye Birdie,” the 1960 Broadway hit and subsequent 1963 film with Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Ann-Margret and Paul Lynn, was inspired by Elvis Presley’s induction into the Army in 1958 with the fictional Conrad Birdie substituting for Elvis.
The show continues to thrill audiences around the world. It has a high-energy score with lyrics by Lee Adams, music by Charles Strouse and a hilarious script by Michael Stewart.
When rock star Conrad Birdie (played by Connor Atkinson) is drafted into the Army, his fans are devastated, but none more than struggling songwriter Albert Peterson (Bart Herman), whose song Birdie was just about to record.
Albert’s longtime girlfriend Rosie (Maeghan McDonald) pushes Albert to write a new tune that Birdie will perform on television to a fan selected in a contest. The scheme works with young Ohio teenager Kim McAfee (Hallie Walker) declared the winner. However, no one has counted on the jealous wrath of her boyfriend Hugo Peabody (Noah Elman).
Hit songs include “Put on a Happy Face,” “One Last Kiss,” “One Boy,” “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” “Kids!,” “Rosie” and the renown “Telephone Hour” opening number.
Performances of “Bye Bye Birdie” will be July 6, 14, 20 and 28 and Aug. 3 and 11 at 8:30 p.m. in the Trumpet in the Land Amphitheatre.
Regular ticket prices are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for children 12 and under; however, tickets for the July 6 opener are $10 for anyone living in Tuscarawas County who can show proof of residency.
For reservations call the Trumpet in the Land box office at 330-339-1132.