Bye Bye Birdie

musical by Adams, Stewart, and Strouse

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July 15, 2026

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Bye Bye Birdie is a musical comedy with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams, and a book by Michael Stewart. It premiered on Broadway in 1960 and is a spoof of Elvis Presley and the impact of rock and roll on small-town America. The songs are more in the style of traditional show music than rock and roll. The musical follows the story of a rock star, Conrad Birdie, who is drafted into the army, and his manager's plan to have him kiss one lucky fan goodbye on national television.1

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Chita Rivera
…Tony nominations for Rose in Bye Bye Birdie (1960), Anyanka in Bajour (1964), and Velma in Chicago (1975). She also appeared as Nickie in the film version of Sweet Charity (1969) and toured with her highly regarded cabaret act.
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…Tony nominations for Rose in Bye Bye Birdie (1960), Anyanka in Bajour (1964), and Velma in Chicago (1975). She also appeared as Nickie in the film version of Sweet Charity (1969) and toured with her highly regarded cabaret act.
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Dick Van Dyke
…Peterson in the original musical Bye Bye Birdie (1960–61). The show was a hit, winning four Tony Awards, including best musical, and Van Dyke took the Tony for best featured actor in a musical. He later reprised the role for the 1963 film version.
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…Peterson in the original musical Bye Bye Birdie (1960–61). The show was a hit, winning four Tony Awards, including best musical, and Van Dyke took the Tony for best featured actor in a musical. He later reprised the role for the 1963 film version.
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