Sunday, October 11, 2009
50 Years Older, ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ Is Back in Its Birth Nest
NYTimes.com: "“BYE BYE BIRDIE,” which on Thursday opens for its first Broadway revival in a Roundabout production at the newly renovated Henry Miller’s Theater, has for years been one of the most produced shows in the United States. Like Disney’s “High School Musical,” which may overtake it someday, “Birdie” is a standby in high schools, where its appeal is practically guaranteed. It has a large number of teenage parts, most of them easy to sing and perform, and the plot, such as it is, is all about the generation gap. On progressive high school stages these days, it’s not unheard of for the principal to take the role of the uptight Mr. MacAfee, who just doesn’t understand what’s wrong with kids today."
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5 comments:
This show really is a classic go to show for high schools like they said. But because the story is still so much to do with the generational gap and also getting out from overbearing parents, I feel that this story when done correctly can really be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. Thats why I can see why they were so intent in picking the right cast for this revival. I think its a cute show, entertaing for the most part I hope it does well
I'm surprised that yet again, Broadway producers are doing a revival of a play which I feel isn't all the appropriate, or rather necessary, for the modern audience. Yes, its fun and spunky and entertaining, but one can find that in something new. What will audience members really take away from this show other than a fun time that they'll soon forget about? I have seen multiple productions of Bye Bye Birdie, and I think that even a good show isn't all that exciting. I'm waiting for a good modern musical.
I'm confused; why does the theater community find revivals acceptable, but musicals based on movies not? No value judgment, but aren't they both new productions of old source material? It seems odd that a 50 year old musical, just as vulnerable to the question "Why this play now?", is much more in taste than an adaptation of a movie of the same age. Spattered in between the rehashes are the occasional new piece - and I wish them all the success Broadway promises. It's just sad that Broadway - and this extends to Hollywood and the entertainment industry in general - would rather show reruns than take a risk on something original.
I think the reason that Broadway does revivals, especially now, is obvious. Not to sound cynical, but its because producers know that the show will make money. Bye Bye Birdie was the first musical my mom ever saw, thus the show tugs at her heartstrings if ever its playing nearby. I'm sure if we were going to New York anytime soon that this show would be on the agenda. Why Bye Bye Birdie? Why Phantom of the Opera 2? The answer is profit. The economy is bad and everyone knows it so theater execs are going to do whatever it takes to get audiences to come see their show.
I am really not that excited about the comeback of Birdie. I don't really know the relevance to today's society that Birdie hopes to present, and I do believe that Broadway needs to be seeking out new musical theatre that is good and can stand on its own rather than reusing old staples. The world is so vast, and if you have the chance to be on Broadway, you have the chance to show the world something new and exciting, or to educate them in some way. And I think you need to take that chance, and this show doesn't.
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