JULY 16, 2009 ISSUE
Musical Bye Bye Birdie Opens at Hayes Center Friday
Jim Ballard (center) plays the role of Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie. The Blowing Rock Stage Company will present the hit Broadway musical at the Hayes Center Friday, July 17, through Sunday, August 2.
The Tony Award-winning musical classic Bye Bye Birdie—a lighthearted look at America’s perpetual fascination with celebrity—opens at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock on Friday, July 17, and continues through Sunday, August 2.
Bye Bye Birdie is the third production in the Blowing Rock Stage Company’s 24th season. Show times are 8:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with additional 2:00 p.m. showings on July 25 and August 1; 2:00 p.m. on Sundays with an additional 7:00 p.m. showing July 19; 8:00 p.m. on Wednesdays; and 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Thursdays.
Bye Bye Birdie made its Broadway debut in 1960 with Dick Van Dyke, Chita Rivera and Charles Nelson Reilly. The musical comedy features Elvis-evoking rock ‘n roll teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie and the antics surrounding a publicity stunt on The Ed Sullivan Show, in which Conrad will kiss one lucky girl from Sweet Apple, Ohio, before being inducted into the Army.
Michael Wainstein, professor of performing arts at Savannah College of Art and Design, is the director of the play. Originally from Philadelphia, Wainstein has been directing since 1984 in such locations as Naples, Fla., Boston, Topeka, Kansas, and in Europe. This is his third production of Bye Bye Birdie.
“The story is timeless,” said Wainstein. “It’s about our obsession with celebrity, which is being tested right now with the whole Michael Jackson thing.” The culture of celebrity—and its ability to change people and make them act in strange ways—is universal and always entertaining, he said.
“It’s just fun. It captures that whole teen-crazed ‘60s,” he added.
Bye Bye Birdie’s strengths include a great musical score, including such recognizable tunes as “Put on a Happy Face,” “How Lovely to Be a Woman” and “Rosie.”
“It has great music and genius book writing,” Wainstein said. “‘The Telephone Hour’ is definitely one of the most amazing musical theatre openings ever.”
The Blowing Rock Stage Company production features a cast of 37 people ranging in age from 6 to 60-plus, more than 100 costumes and a set of four large towers that create various scenes.
Actor Jim Ballard returns to the Blowing Rock Stage Company for a second season, starring as Conrad Birdie, and veteran Chris Kent plays the role of Conrad’s agent Albert Peterson.
As a special Bye Bye Birdie opening night event, the Hayes Center will offer heavy hors d’oeuvres courtesy of Glidewell’s restaurant in the outside courtyard at the Hayes Center on Friday, July 17, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. (In the event of rain, the reception will take place in the Ebert Rehearsal Hall on the second floor.) Cost is $10 per person (pay in advance or at the door). Additional dinner and show packages starting at $82 per couple are also available at Glidewell’s, Bistro Roca, Crippen’s and the Manor House at Chetola.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $14 for students. Special group rates are also available (10 person minimum). Season and Flex Passes can be purchased and used throughout the entire 2009 season. The Hayes Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort Road off Highway 321 in Blowing Rock. For tickets or more information, call 828-295-9627 or click to www.HayesCenter.org.
Want To Go?
Dates: Friday, July 17, through Sunday, August 2
Times: vary
Location: Hayes Center, Blowing Rock
Cost: $30 adults/$14 students
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