Bye Bye Birdie

Description
For the first time since Dick Van Dyke and Chita Rivera fronted the 1961 version, Bye Bye Birdie returns to the Main Stem. The young performers are unquestionably the heart and soul of this candy-colored production, and the presentation of celeb worship is still spot on; JoBro-loving tweens will certainly identify with Kim MacAfee’s overblown crush on hip-swiveling musician Conrad Birdie. The teenagers also don’t disappoint in the crowd favorite, “The Telephone Hour,” in which they excitedly gab to one another from phone booths. While other bouncy pop-rock tunes like “A Lot of Livin’ to Do” might be too sugary for jaded adults, they’ll likely inspire hook-happy youngsters to download the soundtrack. Unfortunately the musical’s most recognizable ditty, “Put On a Happy Face,” falls flat, right along with John Stamos’s lifeless performance as the teen superstar’s pushy agent, Albert. Ages 6 and up.