Directed by Kelsey Sullivan Baldwin

Choreographed by Allie Maisto

Musical Directed by Jeff Babey

A loving musical send-up of the early 1960s, 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 McAfee for a very public farewell kiss. Featuring a tuneful high-energy score, plenty of great parts for kids, and a hilarious script, Bye Bye Birdie remains one of the most popular shows in schools across the country. Hit songs include “Put on a Happy Face,” “One Last Kiss,” “One Boy,” “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” “Kids!” and “Rosie.”

Bye Bye Birdie: Youth Edition is a one-hour adaptation of Bye Bye Birdie, specially tailored for middle school-aged actors. 

Who? Performers currently in Grades 6-8. 45 spots available!

When? Auditions will be Monday, August 31st - 4:30-7:30 at Center Stage (Please select a time slot via the Google Form linked below.) TBD Callbacks: Wednesday, 9/2.

Rehearsals: Mondays/Wednesdays, 5:00-7:00 & Sundays, 9:00-12:00 (All rehearsals are FULL CAST. Featured/Lead roles will rehearse from 9:00-10:00 on Sundays.)

**The full rehearsal schedule will be distributed at the first rehearsal/Parent Meeting on Sunday, September 6th.

Important/Mandatory Dates: 

Tech Week: 11/2-11/5, 5:00-8:30

Performances: 11/6-11/8

(Performance Times TBD - 6:00 or 7:00 PM and 1:00 or 2:00 PM performances should be expected. Final performance dates/times will be communicated at the Parent Meeting.)

Registration and payment MUST be made via OvationTix, PRIOR to selecting an audition time slot/filling out the Google Form below. The $225 participation fee secures your child's place in the production and is the price for the FULL program. Once registration is complete and we have our confirmed number of participants, auditions will be held to determine role placement for each participant.

Registration and Payment: https://ci.ovationtix.com/29405/production/1285339

Audition Time Slots/Registrant Google Form:https://forms.gle/kjXB9eBTcU1nZUMB6

Participants should plan to sing one-minute of a song of a musical theatre or Bye Bye Birdie song of their choice. Candidates may sing from the Bye Bye Birdie: Youth Edition soundtrack (linked below).

ByeBye Birdie: Youth Edition Soundtrack:

Youth Edition Soundtrack Playlist

Characters

ALBERT PETERSON is the president of the Almaelou Music Corporation and is Conrad Birdie’s agent. He is a nervous, excitable man who spends most of his time trying to control the uncontrollable, with quite comic results.

ROSIE ALVAREZ is Albert’s girlfriend and secretary at the Almaelou Music Corporation, who is frustrated with Albert’s inability to commit to her. She is willing to do anything it takes to get Albert to give up the music business and settle down. Headstrong and confident, she is often one step ahead of Albert. 

MRS. MAE PETERSON is Albert’s controlling mother. She loves her son, despite her disapproval of the way he runs the family business and (especially) his affection for Rosie. She has never stopped parenting Albert, and her mounting frustration throughout the show as Albert begins to stand up to her provides recurring comic relief. 

CONRAD BIRDIE is a teen heartthrob who has been drafted into the army. This character was written with Elvis Presley in mind. He says little but conveys much with his body language, swagger and, of course, his music. 

KIM MACAFEE is the self-confident young member of Conrad’s fan club who is chosen to receive a kiss from Conrad before he leaves for the Army. She sees herself as more mature than the average teenager. 

HUGO PEABODY is Kim’s devoted steady boyfriend who is jealous that Conrad is receiving so much attention from Kim. some great comic moments as the two compete for Kim’s affections.

MR. HARRY MACAFEE is Kim’s father who thinks he’s in control of his family and his teenage daughter (but isn’t). 

MRS. DORIS MACAFEE is Kim’s loving mother who knows just how to handle her husband and her household. 

URSULA MERKLE is Kim’s best friend and the hyper-enthusiastic teenager who leads the girls in screaming for Conrad.

RANDOLPH MACAFEE is Kim’s younger brother. 

THE MAYOR is the head figure of Sweet Apple, Ohio, who welcomes Conrad Birdie to town. A bit naïve to the effect Conrad has on the girls of the town.

THE MAYOR'S WIFE, EDNA, is one of the adults in the show who cannot escape the power of Conrad Birdie’s spell.

GLORIA RASPUTIN is the dreamy, ambitious knockout whom Mrs. Peterson chooses to replace Rosie. She is looking for her big break in show business and hopes Albert can help her. 

MRS. MERKLE is Ursula’s overbearing mother who also gets a touch of Conrad Birdie Fever. 

HARVEY JOHNSON is a typical nerdy teenager who can’t seem to get enough of the gossip going on in Telephone Hour.

MR. JOHNSON is Harvey’s father and one of the many parents in Sweet Apple desperate to keep control of their children as Conrad Birdie comes to town.

Other TEENAGERS in Sweet Apple include ALICE, DEBORAH SUE, HELEN, NANCY, MARGIE, PENELOPE, SUZIE, FREDDIE, KARL and various other BOYS and GIRLS. 

Other ENSEMBLE roles include a POLICEMAN, various REPORTERS, a CONDUCTOR and a TRAINMAN, and other PARENTS of the Sweet Apple teenagers with featured lines throughout the script.