A Musical Comedy
Book by Michael Stewart
Music by Charles Strouse
Lyrics by Lee Adams
Originally Produced by Edward Padula
Bye Bye Birdie Audition Information
Directed by Ryan Fredericks
Musical Direction by Kelli Griffin
Choreographed by Ryan Fredericks & Kelli Griffin
Auditions: April 14th and 15th (More Information Below)
Callbacks: April 16th and 17th (More Information Below)
*Auditions are at Musical Theatre Village in Irvine
36-C Mauchly, Irvine, CA, 92618
There is no pay for this production and the theater requires a cast fee that goes towards production costs.
Cast Fees are: $125 up through 16 yrs, $75 (ages 17-20 yrs) and $55 (21+).
Cast Fees are to be paid at the time of the audition and ALL REHEARSAL AND PERFORMANCE CONFLICTS MUST BE GIVEN AT THE TIME OF AUDITIONS. NO ADDITIONAL CONFLICTS WILL BE TAKEN.
Video Submissions will be accepted for those who can’t make it the day of auditions but must be sent to the theater email musicaltheatrevillage@gmail.com by Monday April 14th at 6:00 PM.
Please Note! This will be a multi-cast show. Rehearsals will be Monday – Thursday nights from 6:00-9:00 pm with some Fridays as well as Saturdays for costuming and set days.. Rehearsals start April 21st and end May 22nd with the week of May 19th being tech week. Actors will be called to rehearsals dependent on if they are in the scene being rehearsed that night. You must be at all rehearsals you are called to. Lead roles will be called to most rehearsals. It is also MANDATORY for every family to volunteer for two shows either doing stage crew, spotlight, shush parent or gala and to put in 3 hours for our set or strike days.
Performances
May 23rd to June 22nd
Friday and Saturday evenings 7:30pm
Saturday and Sunday Matinees 2:00pm
Audition Information
*Please Note: Auditions will be closed. Only those auditioning in that time slot will be allowed in the room. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Monday April 14th General Auditions
6:00-6:45 All Kids and Teens (except Kim and Conrad) – “Telephone Hour”
6:45-7:00 Conrad Birdie- “Honestly Sincere”
7:00-7:45 Kim MacAfee- “How Lovely To Be A Woman”
7:45-8:15 All Adults (except Rosie and Albert)- “Kids”
8:15-8:45 Rosie- “An English Teacher
8:45-9:00 Albert- “Put on a Happy Face”
Tuesday April 15th
6:00-6:30 Make Up Auditions for anyone who couldn’t come the day before. Appointment Only.
6:30-8:30 Dance Call for Anyone Interested in Teen Roles (Conrad, Kim, Ursula, etc.) Dance Team, Rosie or Albert. All are encouraged to attend both calls! There will be 2 calls: a jazz combo (Lotta Livin’) and a tap combo (“Happy Face”). Rosie must go to jazz and Albert must go to tap. Dance Teams must go to both. *Any interested in the role of Sad Tapper (tap soloist) must attend the tap call.
Wednesday April 16th- Callbacks Invite Only
6:00-6:15 Randolphs to sing “Kids”
6:15-7:30 Mr. MacAfee, Mrs. MacAfee, Kim and Randophs to sing “Ed Sullivan” and do Callback Scene
7:30-8:00 Kim, Deborah Sue, Alice “One Boy” Harmony Callback
8:00-8:15 Kim, Hugo, Deborah Sue and Alice Callback Scene
8:15-8:45 Conrad to sing “One Last Kiss” and Monologue
8:45-9:00 Ursula Monologue
Thursday April 17th- Callbacks Invite Only
6:00-6:15 Mae Peterson Monologue
6:15-6:45 Rosie to Sing “Spanish Rose”
6:45-7:45 Rosie and Albert to sing “Rosie” and Callback Scene
7:45-8:00 Albert to Sing “Baby, Talk to Me”
A Summary of the Show
A loving send-up of the 1950s, small-town America, teenagers, and rock & roll, Bye Bye Birdie remains as fresh and vibrant as ever. Teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie has been drafted, so he chooses All-American girl Kim MacAfee for a very public farewell kiss. Featuring a tuneful high-energy score, plenty of great parts for teens and adults, and a hilarious script, Birdie continues to thrill audiences around the world.
Character Breakdown
Albert Peterson- The nervous and high-strung president of Almalou Records in his early 30’s.. The actor does not have to be in his 30’s but should be convincing. He is a Bass/Baritone and should be able to move well. Tap is not required but we do want to see what soft shoe moves you can do.
Rosie Alvarez- Rosie is Albert’s secretary but dreams of the day when she can adjust his title from “employer” to “husband.” Despite his oft selfish and callous treatment of Rosie, she continues to support him, biding her time. Rosie is a Mezzo-Soprano and should be a good dancer. Playable age 20’s-30’s. Hispanic ethnicity is a plus.
Kim MacAfee-The President of the Conrad Birdie Fan Club. She is the lucky girl selected to give Conrad his last kiss before heading to the army. Unfortunately, her boyfriend Hugo has a few reservations. Kim needs to come across as a typical all-American teenage girl of the 1950’s. She’s convinced that she’s already reached adulthood, and enjoys all the marvelous perks that come along with being a woman. She is a playable age of 15 years old and a soprano. Should move well.
Conrad Birdie- A singing baritone role. He should be a playable age of 18. Great dancer and Elvis impersonation. He is a rock star and should show the physicality of the role well. He is off to join the army and start a new life. He is a bit jaded.
Mr. Harry MacAfee- He is the father of the MacAfee residence. He struggles to gain control of his teenage daughter and his life is uprooted when Conrad is in town. He is a comedic role with some singing. Playable range can be between 40’s-60’s
Mrs. Doris MacAfee- The mother and wife of the MacAfees. The typical 50’s housewife. Great actress with solos. Playable range can be between 30’s-60’s.
Randolph MacAfee- The youngest son of the MacAfees. He’s overlooked a bit in the family, especially when Conrad comes into town. THE role for kids. Playable age can be 8-12 and can be played by any gender.
Mae Peterson- A great character role. No singing or dancing but should be a great comedic actress. She is Albert’s mother. Think stereotypical “Jewish mother” who loves to guilt her son. Playable age 50’s-70’s.
Hugo Peabody- The boyfriend of Kim. He is going steady with her and gets extremely jealous when Conrad comes to town. Should be a great actor and mover.
Ursula Merkle- The obnoxious and bigger than life best friend of Kim. She is a HUGE fan of Conrad and cannot believe he is in town. Should be a great comedic actress.
Deborah Sue, Alice, Helen, Nancy, Margie,Penelope and Suzie- Teen girls in the town. They are part of the Conrad Birdie fan club. All have solos and lines. Deborah Sue and Alice should be great at harmony as well.
Mayor- The mayor of Sweet Apple, Ohio. Tries to keep the town under control but struggles when Conrad comes into town
Mayor’s Wife- She is a very put together woman until Conrad comes to town.
Harvey Johnson- The geeky teen. He should have a great character voice and sing well. He just wants a date to the dance.
Gloria Rasputin- She is the “dumb blonde” who comes in as Albert’s new assistant. She is very confident at everything she does, even if she’s bad at it (like tapping). Great comedic role.
Mrs. Merkle- Ursula’s mother.
Mr. Johnson- Harvey’s dad.
Maude-The town bartender. He is a bit abrasive.
Adult Ensemble- Tons of roles. Lots of Parents, reporters, policemen. There will also be shriners and a male singing quartet (a la Music Man)
Teen/Kid Ensemble and Dance Team- The teens and kids of Sweet Apple, Ohio. Part of the Conrad Birdie fan club. Lots of energy, dancing, singing, screaming and fainting. There will also be a select few that tap as well.