Bye Bye Birdie, now on Broadway, is a fun, old-fashioned teeny-bopper cartoon of a musical about a pop singer going into the army in about 1960, and the effect on the familiy of a small-town girl (a sweet Allie Trim) who won the contest to kiss Birdie goodbye. The old songs, including "Put On A Happy Face," with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams, still bounce, and the lead, John Stamos, as the star's manager is really cute -- singing and dancing. (I wish he had more dancing: he's fun.) And Nolan Gerard Funk as Birdie can put over a number quite well.
But I have this weird idea that ALL the people in a Broadway musical should be able to really sing. Where I got this strange notion I don't know. I guess other people don't agree with me, as with the makers of this show. Gina Gershon as the love interest for Stamos is not really a singer. She does come through in the "Spanish Rose" number because she's a good actress with a strong sexy persona. Bill Irwin, who plays Trimm's father, is a great clown, one of the best in the country, and his clowning in the show is terrific, but he can't sing a lick, and his posturing with a phony "Main Line" accent is a cartoonish attempt to be funny. It's not.
Jane Houdyshell in a real cartoon role as Stamos's mother is totally believable and super entertaining. Dee Hoty, playing Trim's mother, is really a high-level Broadway singer but doesn't have a solo number.
Direction and choreography by Robert Longbottom is brisk, vigorous, the inventive multi-set by Andrew Jackness, is very alive and active, solid color cartoon costumes by Greg Barnes add to the flavor, and Ken Billington's lighting is just right. There is a naive sweetness to the show with its simple story, and with the memorable songs, it is a light, enjoyable evening.
Previews:
September 10, 2009
Opened:
October 15, 2009
Ended:
open run
Country:
USA
State:
New York
City:
New York
Company/Producers:
Roundabout Theater Company
Theater Type:
Broadway
Theater:
Henry Miller's Theater
Theater Address:
123 West 43rd Street
Website:
byebyebirdieonbroadway.com
Genre:
Musical
Director:
Robert Longbottom
Choreographer:
Robert Longbottom
Review:
Cast:
Bill Irwin (Harry), Gina Gershon (Rose), John Stamos (Albert), Jayne Houdyshell (Mae), Dee Hoty, Matt Doyle (Hugo), Mollly Ephraim (Ursula), Jake Evan Schwencke (Randolph), Allie Trimm (Kim), Nolan Gerard Funk (Conrad), Catherine Blades, Deanna Cipolla, Paula Leggett Chase, Riley Costello, John Treacy Egan, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Todd Gearhart, Patty Goble, Suzanne Grodner, Robert Hager, Nina Hennessey, Natalie Hill, Julia Knitel, Jess Le Protto, David McDonald, JC Montgomery, Jillian Mueller, Paul Pilcz, Daniel Quadrino, Emma Rowley, Tim Shew, Kevin Shotwell, Allison Strong, Jim Walton, Brynn Williams, and Branch Woodman.
Technical:
Music Sup: David Chase; Sound: Acme Sound Partners; Light: Ken Billington; Set: Andrew Jackness; Costumes: Gregg Barnes; Proj: Howard Werner; Music Dir: David Holcenberg; Music Coord: Howard Joines; Hair/Wigs: David Brian Brown; Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Critic:
Richmond Shepard
Date Reviewed:
October 2009
