LYRIC STAGE PRESENTS
BYE BYE BIRDIE
June 18-27, 2010
at the Irving Arts Center's Carpenter Hall
with Full Orchestra

Lyric Stage presents BYE BYE BIRDIE, 1961's Best Musical Tony Award winner, June 18-27 in the Irving Arts Center's Carpenter Performance Hall. Lyric Stage's production of BYE BYE BIRDIE will feature a 31 piece orchestra playing Robert Ginzler's original Broadway orchestrations. Lyric Stage's production will be only the second time Ginzler's fantastic orchestrations have been heard since BIRDIE's Broadway debut. Tickets can be Ordered Online by Clicking Here or by calling the box office @ 972-252-2787.

BYE BYE BIRDIE took Broadway by storm on April 14, 1960. Inspired by Elvis Presley's Army draft, BYE BYE BIRDIE tells the tale of hip-swingin' teen idol superstar Conrad Birdie's farewell performance before reporting for duty. Birdie's manager Albert and his secretary Rosie have cooked up a plan to send him off with a swell new song and one last kiss from a lucky teenage fan…on 'The Ed Sullivan Show!' Stouse and Adams' score includes "Put On a Happy Face," "Kids," "Rosie," and "A Lot of Livin' to Do."

Producer Edward Padula hired composer Charles Strouse and lyricist Lee Adams to write their first complete Broadway score for his new musical Let's Go Steady. After several book writers took a stab at it (including Mike Nichols), Michael Stewart succeeded and Let's Go Steady became BYE BYE BIRDIE. Gower Champion was approached about starring opposite his wife Marge, but opted to make his Broadway debut as a director of a book musical with BIRDIE instead.

For Lyric Stage's production, Founding Producer Steven Jones has reassembled the creative team from last season's premiere of the restored THE KING AND I. Cheryl Denson returns as director with Jay Dias as music director/concuctor and Ann Nieman as choreographer. Lighting design is by Julie Simmons Moroney, costume design by Drenda Lewis, scenic design by Chris Potter, sound design by Bill Eickenloff and properties are by Jane Quetin. Margaret J. Soch is production stage manager.

Lyric Stage's cast is headed by Steve Barcus as Albert and Catherine Carpenter Cox as Rosie (pictured at right). The McAfee family includes Mary McElree (Kim), Mike Gallagher (Mr. McAfee), Wendy Welch (Mrs. McAfee) and Chet Monday (Randolph). Daniel Johnson will appear as Conrad Birdie with Charlotte Franklin (Mae Peterson) and Lee Jamison Wadley (Gloria Rasputin) rounding out the principal cast.

The supporting cast includes Eric Aultman, Alex Aultschuler, Felecia Benton, Meredith Cole, Ryan Cowles, Vicki Dean, Dayton Spencer Dobbs, Eric Domuret, Caitlin Galloway, Graham Galloway, Katharine Gentsch, Ben Giddings, Martin Guerra, Babs Ipaye, Emily Jackson, Cameron Kirkpatrick, MacKenzie Orr, Kristi Rowen, Lindsay Sawyer, Ty Taylor, Raleigh Tyler, John Venerable and James Williams.

Lyric Stage's production of BYE BYE BIRDIE will play June 18,19, 24, 25 & 26 @ 8:00 PM with matinees at 2:30 PM on June 20 & 27. Tickets can be Ordered Online by Clicking Here or call the box office @ 972-252-2787.