Customer Reviews

Bye Bye Birdie (Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I keep coming across reviews where people show theydon't"get it," and I always want to defend the person who wasunfairly criticized. When BBB opened on Broadway on April 14, 1960, rock and roll was for kids and Broadway musicals were for adults. Thus -- much more so than in the movie version three years later -- Bye Bye Birdie was a SATIRE of rock and roll. The rock and roll numbers in it are SATIRIZATIONS of the music AND lyrics that were typical of rock and roll at the time. So, when Lee Adams writes "one boy to joke with, have Coke with," or the "banal" lyrics in Honestly Sincere (and they're more than just banal, they're out-and-out DUMB, on purpose), he's SATIRIZING the stupid and banal lyrics of the rock and roll songs of the era. The lyrics for One Last Kiss are as silly as they can be -- and, OF COURSE, this was done on purpose! Lee Adams was actually a very clever lyricist. You can see this clearly in the non-rock-and-roll songs in BBB, especially Normal American Boy, Hymn For a Sunday Evening, Spanish Rose, Kids -- in fact, in ALL the songs for the "adults." Listen, anyone who can rhyme "bickerish" with "licorice" isn't banal!

If, like me, you bought your favorite cast albums in their first cd incarnation, you may be wondering if it's worth it to buy the same show album all over again. The answer is an emphatic "Yes".

Not for the bonus tracks, but the sound--I'm hearing details of performance and orchestration that I've missed before. The remastering adds clarity that will signifcantly enhance your enjoyment. The liner notes are an improvement also, giving a lot of behind the scenes perspective to how this show was developed and improved on it's way to becoming a Broadway hit.

What bad thing can you say about the original version of the musical that stole America's heart? Dick Van Dyke, Chita Rivera, and Susan Watson are all magnificant! This C.D. has the original charm, which makes it special every time you listen to it. I've done this play, and when I first heard this C.D., I knew this was the musical for me!

BYE BYE BIRDIE was a show with nothing more in mind but to provide a light entertaining evening for theatre-goers. It went on to win the 1961 Tony award for Best Musical and has since become one of the most frequently staged musicals by high schools and community groups. The score by Charles Strouse is bright and lively, and Lee Adams' lyrics are clever, especially his satires on the popular music of the day.

Columbia's original Broadway cast album is still the best of the 4 available recordings. The London cast with Peter Marshall proves once agan that the Brits just don't understand American performing styles. The dreadful 1963 film tries to turn it into a showcase for Ann Magaret, and the 1995 TV version with Jason Alexander is curiously short on fun. On this CD Van Dyke, Rivera and company provide plenty! Great liner notes and detailed synopsis... and all at a great price!

Bye Bye Birdie (1960 Original Broadway Cast) Many of the classic Broadway musicals of mid-20th century are available as both movie soundtracks and as Broadway cast albums. Though all are enjoyable, the cast albums sound more natural, more enthusiastic, and more spontaneous than the (later) movie soundtracks. Probably that is because the cast albums were recorded shortly after the shows opened on Broadway. The original cast album of "Bye Bye Birdie" is in this category. And there is more background about the musical. The excellent and lengthy liner notes recount the story of how the musical was written and developed into the evergreen musical that it became.

One of the classics of the American Musical Theater. In 1960, between the Elvis craze and Beatlemania. And Dick VanDyke's breakout role - that led to his TV show with MTM. Some parts of our culture from "Telephone Hour" to "Put on a Happy Face" to "Kids" and "A Lot of Livin' to Do". I did the show in college and my favorite part of the score is the dance break in "Put on A Happy Face" - great big-band arrangement that got lost in the movie. Close your eyes and see VanDyke's physical comedy/dance/slapstick at its best. (And yes, the sad little girl laughs - with a 'happy face' after all the shenanigans!)

Chita Rivera is marvelous and so is Dick van Dyke. It's hard to believe that "Put On A Happy Face" originated in a 60's Broadway show. The sound quality isn't bad and Gower Champion and Charles Strouse were on the staff, making the dances (which we can't see) and the music more enjoyable.

With an outstanding cast headed by the great Dick Van Dyke, Chita Rivera and Paul Lynde, and many wonderful songs including Kids, Whole Lotta Livin to Do, Spanish Rosie, and my personal favorite Hymm for a Sunday Night, this semi-spoof of a late 50s rock star (Conrad Birdie), a songwriter, his overbearing mother and the woman he loves and almost loses is in my opinion a highly underrated and entertaining musical. As grounded as it is in its time period, at the same time it explores timeless themes and is as fresh today as when it was first released. The movie version is fine too, with the amazing Ann Margaret in her prime, but musically the Broadway recording is the best.

After having played Albert Peterson in my high school's production of "Birdie", I appreciate the music. This record is a great example of suburban Americana, in the same style as "The Music Man", only more modern. Highlights include, the untoppable "Put On A Happy Face"! Other good marks are "Kids" and "Baby, Talk To Me". Good soundtrack, Great show!

GOD BLESS YOU ALL!

Great fun! Dick Van Dyke at his best, Chita Rivera is glorious, Paul Lynde is a hoot! Classic 60's musical, light hearted and entertaining. Under the direction of the late, great Gower Champion, it proved to be a masterpeice of an American musical. Good score, fun book, terrific performances all added up to make it the hit it was. Sadly the film (despite Van Dyke and Lynde recreating their roles) is an abomination. While the recent TV production with Jason Alexander tries valiantly, it doesn't quite capture all the fun. Only Vanessa Williams shines in that production. But enjoy the original cast recording, and the new re-release is wonderful!!

And how nice it is to see Susan Watson, the original Kim, back on Broadway in the current revival of Follies, and she is charming in it!