Bye Bye Birdie on Broadway

Last week I went to see the new revival of Bye Bye Birdie at the Henry Miller Theater. I was surprised to learn that the show had never been revived on Broadway until now. I attended a Sunday matinee, so there were a lot of children in the audience. I sat next to a girl who looked to be about three or four years old. She was enchanted with the entire show, and I was very impressed that she did not seem restless at all.

The show is still in previews. Seeing a show in previews is interesting. Often you can get cheaper tickets to a show during previews. I got tickets from the HipTix program, which is the same price for previews or after the show’s opening (only $20!). Previews mean that the show is still in development stages. From what I hear, a show can change a great deal, or not at all, between previews and its opening night. I am hoping that this particular show works out its kinks, because Bye Bye Birdie is not quite ready for its opening night, if you ask me.

The show has a few big names, including John Stamos (otherwise known as Uncle Jessie from Full House) as Albert and Gina Gershon as Rose. Often, big names are disappointing on stage, they draw bigger crowds, so I understand why cast directors make this choice, but big stars can often be a disappointment. In this case, I thought that those two big names were weak links in the show. Gina Gershon’s voice was not up for singing on a Broadway stage, and John Stamos forgot his lines at the end of the show.

I am hoping the show will improve by opening night. Bye Bye Birdie is one of my favorite musicals and I have seen the movie numerous times. I want to go back after it opens to see how it changes, so I will keep you posted.

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