The musical Bye Bye Birdie is based on the book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams, and music by Charles Strouse. Originally titled Let’s Go Steady, the musical is a satire on American society set in 1958. It had a long successful run on Broadway opening in April 1960 and running through October 1961 with over 600 shows performed. It was later adapted for film and television and went through a revival in the mid-sixties and mid-nineties.
Charles H. Stewart offers 29 backdrop options for Bye Bye Birdie. Let’s explore this fun musical and see how our backdrops can make your performance come to life!
What is The Story of Bye Bye Birdie?
Bye Bye Birdie chronicles the life of Conrad Birdie who has the potential to be the biggest rock and roll star of the 60’s. Teenagers swoon and scream to hear his music and see him in person.
Meanwhile, Albert Peterson, Conrad’s Manager, is going into debt and has staked his financial future on Conrad’s success. Albert’s love interest and secretary is disheartened by the financial risk and time that Albert is taking in getting Conrad’s career off the ground. Unfortunately, before Conrad’s music career is able to take off, he is drafted into the U.S. Army and must report for duty soon.
A plan is hatched to take advantage of Conrad’s draft assignment and Albert sets up a contest where one lucky fan gets to kiss Conrad farewell on the Ed Sullivan Show. Things come to a head when the boyfriend of the girl chosen to kiss Conrad gets jealous and Rosie loses her patience with Albert.
If this story sounds vaguely familiar, it is because it was based upon the social climate in the United States when rockstar Elvis Presley was drafted. The 1960 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical loosely based on this story points a mirror at the youth culture surrounding pop stars that could be seen as just as true and poignant in today’s society as it was in the late 1950s.
Backdrops for Bye Bye Birdie
We offer 29 backdrops for the musical Bye Bye Birdie. Here are some of our options.
This Railroad Car Cut Tab Backdrop #0300 depicts the rear end of a red train car adorned with signs wishing Conrad Birdie farewell and good luck. There is a cut opening for the main character to wave goodbye to the crowd as he leaves for his deployment.
This Outdoor Train Station Backdrop #0803 shows the outside of a train depot where Conrad Birdie leaves after he is drafted into the Army. The train platform also shows a city background.
This show curtain titled Bye Bye Birdie Show Traveler Backdrop is a perfect front show curtain for the production.
Visit our show suggestion pages to view all the options for Bye Bye Birdie performances.
