Get ready for rockin’ and rollin’ this summer with Bye Bye Birdie! Auditions are open to actors aged 11 through adult. A loving send-up of the 1950s, small-town America, teenagers, and rock & roll, Bye Bye Birdie remains as fresh and vibrant as ever. Teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie has been drafted, so he chooses All-American girl Kim MacAfee for a very public farewell kiss. Featuring a tuneful high-energy score, plenty of great parts for teens, and a hilarious script, Birdie continues to thrill audiences around the world.
SYNOPSIS
BYE BYE BIRDIE is one of the most captivating musical shows of our time. It tells the story of a rock and
roll singer who is about to be inducted into the army. The singer, Conrad Birdie, an Elvis Presley type,
has a pompadour and thick sideburns; he wears gaudy gold costumes and speaks in a rugged voice.
Albert Peterson, his agent, is a very pleasant mild-mannered young man. Albert’s faithful secretary Rose
Alvarez keeps him and Birdie moving forward in the world. Rosie concocts one final national publicity
plan before Conrad’s induction.
Conrad will bid a typical American teen-age girl goodbye with an all-American kiss. Kim MacAfee in
Sweet Apple, Ohio wins the honor. All of the phones in her town are already busy during The Telephone
Hour as Kim has just been pinned to Hugo, a local boy. She is a pretty girl of fifteen and sings with
spring-like ardor How Lovely to Be a Woman, as she pulls on the plaid woolen socks and the baggy
mustard colored sweater considered stylish and popular among young ladies.
The arrival of Birdie in Sweet Apple causes people of all ages to swoon. Birdie says that his success is due
to the fact that he is Honestly Sincere when he sings, and the quiet little town goes into a spin. The
MacAfee household is completely upset by the visiting celebrity. It is decided that Birdie will give his One
Last Kiss on the Ed Sullivan show. Kim’s father who laments the whole uproar, tries to break into the act
and behaves like a ham on the TV show. Hymn for a Sunday Evening is a salute to the greater glory of Ed
Sullivan.
Birdie becomes disgusted with his life and goes out on the town with the teenagers. He feels tense with
Albert and is tired of being supervised. The parents of Sweet Apple cannot understand the new
generation and express this in Kids. Rosie, still waiting for that band of gold from Albert after eight years,
invades a Shriners’ meeting. An extremely hilarious ballet ensues. She then decides to become the Latin
American spitfire that she is painted as, by Albert’s leadfooted catastrophe-ridden mother. She is
determined to become Spanish Rose. Kim is reunited with Hugo, and Rose with Albert in the lovely
number Rosie. Other hit numbers include A Lot of Livin’ to Do and Put on a Happy Face.
BYE BYE BIRDIE is a satire done with the fondest affection. It gives an insight into the everyday life that is
very much part of us all. It is the tops in imagination and frivolity; a show that will be enjoyed by the cast
as much as the audience.
Actor Auditions
Auditions will be held at STAAR Theatre, next door to the STAAR Theater, on Monday and Tuesday, May 5-6 from 6-8 p.m. Auditions are closed, and all actors must register online to choose an audition time.
Callbacks will be held on Saturday, May 10 from 10-12 p.m.
Prepare 16 measures of any song that showcases your voice. Bring sheet music for the pianist to play with you.
Prepare one of the Audition Sides provided below.
A short choreography combo will be taught – wear proper shoes.
Performance Dates
July 25-27 and August 1-3
PRODUCTION FEES
$50 first participant
$75 per family
Full and partial scholarships available!
Production Team
DIRECTOR & VOCAL DIRECTOR: Susan Callahan
CHOREOGRAPHER: Evangeline Manning
Rehearsals
Rehearsals begin Tuesday, May 27. Rehearsals will be held Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Not all actors will be called all 3 days. A schedule will be made after auditions.
BYE BYE BIRDIE is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.
www.concordtheatricals.com
Bye Bye Birdie
Your
Cast of Characters
BYE BYE BIRDIE CAST OF CHARACTERS
Albert Peterson (Tenor): He’s the nervous and high-strung president of Almalou Records who pays more attention to his mother than to his girlfriend (who is his secretary). Comedic, some dancing skill a plus.
Rose Alvarez (Alto): Albert’s secretary but dreams of the day when she can adjust his title from “employer” to “hubby.” Requires a woman who can display a truly strong spirit and a spicy inner being who can’t wait to escape. Spirited and great strength, and dancing skills are a must!
Conrad Birdie (Baritone): The “Elvis-style” rock star who is headed into the army; he must be able to sing well, move like a rock star, and… burp!
Kim MacAfee (Soprano): Fifteen-year-old, self-possessed teen-aged girl, who considers herself more mature than her “Conrad-Crazy” girlfriends. A typical all-American teenage girl of the 1950’s.
Mr. Harry MacAfee (Tenor): The frustrated father of Kim and Randolph who feels his stature as a parent is continually challenged. Comedic and good voice.
Mrs. Doris MacAfee (Alto): The tireless, caring mother of Kim and Randolph who knows just how to handle her irritable husband.
Randolph MacAfee (unchanged voice): Kim’s younger brother; sings one feature song.
Mae Peterson (Alto): Albert’s mother, the quintessential “Mamma,” who never stops parenting Albert. This is a character role.
Hugo Peabody (Tenor): Kim’s devoted steady boyfriend who is jealous of Conrad Birdie.
Ursula Merkle (Mezzo): The hyper-enthusiastic teen-aged girlfriend of Kim’s who leads the fans screaming for Conrad Birdie. Ursula is a little quirky, high-energy, and busting with vitality.
Conrad Birdie Fan Club Teens (Teen Girl Chorus): Teens in the Conrad Birdie fan club – Featured solos and speaking lines (Margie (Mezzo), Nancy (Mezzo), Helen (Mezzo), Alice (Mezzo), Penelope Ann (Mezzo), Deborah Sue (Mezzo),
Harvey Johnson (Tenor/Teen Chorus) Average teenage kid
Mayor (Bari, Adult Chorus): Mayor of Sweet Apple, Ohio; sings one feature song; also appears on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Mayor’s Wife (Mezzo, Adult Chorus): Mayor’s wife, Edna; sings one feature song; also appears on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Gloria Rasputin (Soprano): The gum-chewing, lame-brained, dancing secretary who is Mae Peterson’s choice to replace Rosie as Albert’s fiancé.
Charles F. Maude (Adult Chorus, Tenor): Proprietor of “Maude’s Roadside Retreat”; sings the tenor part in the male quartet.
Maude’s Quartet: Customers at Maude’s who sing in the male quartet: Maude’s dishwasher (Adult Chorus, Tenor)
AUDITION SIDES
Click here for a printable document
ALBERT:
- Rose, it’s wonderful! And I promise you, as soon as this thing is settled, it’ll just be the two of us, Rose! In perfect bliss! I’ll get a job teaching English and…(IT HITS HIM)…Bliss! Kiss! That rhymes! (He Sits) I wonder if anyone’s ever used it before? (Enthusiastic again) ….Oh, what difference does it make! It’ll be great for the song! Oh one last kiss; it gives so much bliss…what is your dentifrice!
- Not until I’ve had my say, Rose. I just want to let you know that thanks to Mamma’s quick thinking, the kiss will take place after all. Tomorrow morning at the railroad station just before Conrad leaves….(very satisfied with HIMSELF)…So it looks like you’ve failed, Rose. As anyone must fail who tries to buck Al Peterson, one of the giants, the titans, one of the King Kongs of the music industry….
ROSIE:
You haven’t written it yet. (Leads ALBERT to piano, seats HIM)….But when you do and when that one last kiss is from Conrad Birdie on his way into the big, cold Army for two long years and when he gives that kiss to one of his fans, chosen at random from one million two hundred thousand hysterical teen-agers, it’ll make Mr. Birdie the hottest soldier since Joan of Arc!
KIM:
1. That’s just it, Hugo, I’m your steady! Oh I may admire Conrad Birdie as one admires a far-distant and unattainable ideal. But I’m pinned to you, Hugo, and I don’t care how common and ordinary you are, that’s how I’m going to stay!
- You were silly to worry, Hugo. Conrad Birdie may be a great public figure but he doesn’t make me feel all dizzy and faint when I think of him. Only my steady does that. Why even when I say his name I don’t feel a thing. Listen. Conrad Birdie! Conrad Birdie. (And it hits HER. Huskily) Conrad Birdie…
CONRAD:
…And before you start hollering, Albert, I just want you to know I made up my mind! I’m tired of getting up at nine every morning, having people watch me when I eat, and letting kids poke me in the eye. I wanna have some fun! Go out! Meet a couple of young chicks! Don’t you understand, Albert? I am tense!
BOY TEENS (Hugo’s line):
….Excuse me, Miss Alvarez, but I’m looking for Kim MacAfee. I just want to tell her that she is not to kiss Conrad Birdie on that Sullivan Show tonight because if she does, I’ll…. (ROSIE hasn’t moved) Miss Alvarez….Is anything wrong? (HE becomes alarmed) Miss Alvarez! It’s me! Hugo Peabody! Can I do anything for you, Miss Alvarez?
GIRL TEENS (Ursula’s Lines):
- …Kim MacAfee, what do you mean you’re resigning from the Fan Club! I mean just because Hugo Peabody gave you his pin doesn’t mean you have to retire from all social life!
- Going steady is very important but there are some things more important than very important and the Conrad Birdie Fan Club is one of them. I mean, after all, where else can we girls gather together to worship that wonderful creature? I mean, do you realize what you’d be giving up, Kim?
MRS. MAE PETERSON
- Taxi! What do I need with taxis? I’ll leave the taxis for my successful son. A mother can ride crowded in a dirty subway full of foreign people who wouldn’t give you a seat if your life depended on it, but what’s the difference; nowadays a mother is lower than dirt anyway! Here’s money I saved from not taking the taxi; buy some candy with it. (Looks at ROSIE) Who’s she?
- Did you think I wouldn’t come? A woman gets a letter obviously written under the influence of drugs and she should stay at home? (Displays letter, wrings bucket of water out of it)…Pay no attention. It’s only a mother’s tears. (SHE unfolds it and reads) “Dear Mom: This is to let you know that Almaelou is dissolved. Your friend, Albert. (To ALBERT) Almaelou is dissolved? Dissolve me! Who am I anyway? A sick old woman, probably won’t last the night. I just want a simple stone, with one word carved on it…Albert’s Mother. And don’t hire a limousine to get me to the final resting place. I’ll walk.
MRS. DORIS MACAFEE:
….I know the house is a bit hectic this morning, but Kim’s gone to a lot of trouble to fix a special breakfast for Mr. Birdie and I want to make sure everything’s ready and waiting for him when he comes down. After all he is a national figure and I want to show these New York people we know how to treat a national figure here in Sweet Apple. Of course it really doesn’t mean that much to me personally but for Kim’s sake I… There we are! All done! Did you enjoy it, dear? Good! (Takes empty plate from MR. MacAFEE) Now if you’ll just hurry along…
- HARRY MACAFEE:
Last night I gave up my room to a guest who repeatedly referred to me as “Fats.” Telephone calls were made on my phone to New York, Chicago, Fairbanks, Alaska, and Hong Kong. I slept in a camp cot with my feet in the fireplace and my head in an ashtray. Outside my window three harpies shrieked We Love You Conrad four thousand seven hundred and twenty-three times!…I have just lost two fried eggs. (In ringing tones) …Gentlemen, the democracy is over! Parliament has been dissolved; the Magna Carta is revoked, and Nero is back in town! And you don’t offer an emperor a warm Seven-Up!
Actors must register online
and choose an audition time.