BWW Reviews: Muny Closes 2011 Season with Spirited Production of BYE BYE BIRDIE

Audiences will probably be more familiar with the 1963 film version of Bye Bye Birdie from its innumerable screenings on television, with Dick Van Dyke, Ann Margaret, Janet Leigh, Maureen Stapleton and Paul Lynde all making vivid impressions under George Sidney's direction. But, seeing it live really is a special treat, especially on the expansive Muny stage. Opening night even provided the most gloriously mild weather one could have hoped for to enjoy this oft-played, but rarely perfected delight. Charles Strouse and Lee Adams wrote a number of memorable songs for this musical, and Michael Stewart's lightweight, but entertaining script which mixes romance and a satire on the cult of personality is a fairly sturdy framework to hang them upon. Happily, the production currently playing at the Muny is well worth your time and attention, and certainly beats seeing the film again for the umpteenth time.

Based loosely on the army inductions that actually occurred to stars Conway Twitty and Elvis Presley, the plot centers around a fictional concoction known as Conrad Birdie, and a publicity stunt involving a staged "last kiss" to be given to a randomly chosen fan club president. It seems the Almaelou Music company run by Albert Peterson is about to lose their only client to Uncle Sam, and his long suffering girlfriend and secretary, Rosie has hatched this plan to save the business, and in the process, hopefully entice her man into finally committing to matrimony.

Lara Teeter is perfect as the hen-pecked mama's boy Albert, and Andrea Burns makes for a lovely and tuneful Rose, providing him with ample reason to stand up for himself and finally shed himself of his mother's clinging apron strings. Teeter does exceptional work trying to "Put on a Happy Face", while Burns laments"Whatever Did I See in Him?".Susan Cella is also quite good as Albert's mother, although you find youself wishing she'd fall in an open manhole after a while since you really root for Rose and Albert to make it. Kelly O'Neal is cute as Kim, the girl chosen to give the last kiss to the departing Conrad, and Parker Pogue hams it up with his Elvis-like gyrations as the man of her dreams. O'Neal does excellent work with "How Lovely to be a Woman" and Pogue makes the most of "Honestly Sincere".

Lewis Stradlin and Linda Denniston are strong as Kim's long-suffering parents, and both shine on the number "Kids", which means as much today as it did when it was written. Julian Decker is good as the boy cast aside by Kim while Conrad makes his initial splash. Michael Harp is adorably obnoxious as Kim's little brother Randy, and Kelly Sheehan works hard as the woman Mae would rather see her beloved Albert wind up with. Samantha Massell also makes an impression as Kim's friend and Conrad's biggest fan. A large supporting ensemble also does special work that lights up the stage with color and vibrancy.

Director Paul Blake closes out his tenure at the Muny by doing a fine job of keeping this peppy musical upbeat and light in tone. He's aided by Kelli Barclay's energetic choreography and great musical direction by Sam Davis. The scenic design conjures up the necessary locales with verve and panache under Michael Anania's watch, and F. Mitchell Dana once again does great work lighting it all. The Kansas City Costume Company provides the multi-hued clothing that adds to the overall look of this production.

Bye Bye Birdie is a splendid way to close the 2011 season for the Muny, and a lovely way to say goodbye to Paul Blake as we all wish him well on the further adventures he's certain to encounter in life. The spirited musical continues through August 14, 2011.

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