Say Hello To Bye Bye Birde! Contra Costa Musical Theatre Opens 54th Season with a Classic
WALNUT CREEK, September 15, 2014 — Contra Costa Musical Theatre (CCMT) will present the musical “Bye Bye Birde” at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, October 17 through November 15th, 2014. Tickets for “Bye Bye Birde” range from $45 to $54 (with discounts available for seniors, youth, and groups) and are on sale now at the Lesher Center for the Arts Ticket Office, 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek, 925.943.SHOW (943-7469). Tickets can also be purchased online at www.lesherArtscenter.org.
Inspired by Elvis Presley and the stir his draft notice caused in 1957, this satirical look at Americana has music by Charles Strouse (Annie; Applause), lyrics by Lee Adams (Applause), and book by Michael Stewart (Hello Dolly, Carnival). The show was nominated for seven Tony Awards, winning four, including Best Musical. It also marked the first Broadway show for the legendary Dick Van Dyke in the lead role, which also led to his first film, reprising his Tony-winning performance.
Set in 1958, rock-n-roll heart throb Conrad Birdie has been drafted into the army, leaving his songwriter and agent Albert in a jam. But Albert’s secretary and sweetheart Rosie comes up with a plan: Conrad will perform a new hit, “One Last Kiss”, on the Ed Sullivan Show before he ships off to basic training. One member of Birdie’s fan club is chosen to receive a real ‘last kiss’ live on TV. But the lucky girl, Kim McAfee from Sweet Apple, Ohio, isn’t sure she wants to go through with it, throwing the publicity machine – and Albert’s job security and future with Rosie – into jeopardy.
Featuring such classic songs as “Put on a Happy Face”, “A Lot of Livin’ To Do”, “Baby Talk To Me” and “Spanish Rose”, this musical treat – suitable for the whole family - features an award-winning score and exciting dance numbers.
This will be the first production of ‘Birdie to be presented at the Lesher Center, and will feature a cast of fresh new talent joining past audience favorites. Reuniting for this special production are Robert Lopez as Albert Peterson and Nicole Helfer as Rosie Alvarez, who appeared opposite each other as screenwriting partners Joe Gillis and Betty Schaefer in CCMT’s Sunset Boulevard. Mr. Lopez is appearing in his fourth CCMT production; recent roles include Marius in Les Miserables, Joe in Sunset Boulevard, and Roger in RENT. Ms. Helfer returns for her sixth CCMT production. In addition to her appearances onstage as Fantine in Les Miserables, Betty in Sunset Boulevard, Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors, and Val in A Chorus Line, Ms. Helfer was also recently nominated for a Shellie Award for her choreography of CCMT’s Tarzan. Newcomers Olivia Hytha and Mackenszie Drae star as Kim MacAfee and Conrad Birdie, and a host of faces familiar and new will fill the stage with song and dance in various ensemble roles.
We Love This Staff, Oh Yes We Do CCMT is excited to welcome Director/Choreographer Christina Lazo to the fold. While making her CCMT debut, Ms. Lazo is no stranger to the stage, as she has successfully served as director and choreographer for award winning productions across the Bay Area. Returning for his third assignment as Musical Director is Matt Smart, who previously served in this role for CCMT’s RENT and last season’s Tarzan. CCMT resident Scenic Designer is the award-winning Kelly J Tighe, who will handle the sets. Making their CCMT debuts are Costumer Hope Bidwell and Lighting Designer Joe D’Emilio. This dynamic team is led by Production Manager Shannon Strain Demers.
50 Years of ‘Birde For more than fifty years, Bye Bye Birde has been entertaining audiences young and old. The successful Broadway production led to the film Bye Bye Birde released in 1963 with Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Maureen Stapleton, Bobby Rydell and a young Ann-Margret as Kim MacAfee. Several productions have appeared over the past fifty years, most recently a 2009 Broadway revival with John Stamos and Gina Gershon in the lead roles. A successful TV movie was presented in 1995 starring Jason Alexander and Vanessa Williams.
About Contra Costa Musical Theatre Based in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa Musical Theatre has a fifty year history of producing dynamic musical productions and providing a home to local and national talent. CCMT has won more Shellie Awards for musicals than any other regional company, Since their move to the Lesher Center for the Arts in 1990, they have produced more than 40 full-scale productions, including the East Bay premieres of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Urinetown, the Musical, The Full Monty, RENT, Titanic, the Musical, Hairspray, Sunset Boulevard, Tarzan and Les Miserables.
Media Contacts: Scott Strain Danny Boyle 925-639-6979 925-210-0268 [email protected] [email protected]