Bye Bye Birdie, now on Broadway, is a fun, old-fashioned teeny-bopper cartoon of a musical about a pop singer going into the army in about 1960, and the effect on the familiy of a small-town girl (a sweet Allie Trim) who won the contest to kiss Birdie goodbye. The old songs, including "Put On A Happy Face," with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams, still bounce, and the lead, John Stamos, as the star's manager is really cute -- singing and dancing. (I wish he had more dancing: he's fun.) And Nolan Gerard Funk as Birdie can put over a number quite well.
But I have this weird idea that ALL the people in a Broadway musical should be able to really sing. Where I got this strange notion I don't know. I guess other people don't agree with me, as with the makers of this show. Gina Gershon as the love interest for Stamos is not really a singer. She does come through in the "Spanish Rose" number because she's a good actress with a strong sexy persona. Bill Irwin, who plays Trimm's father, is a great clown, one of the best in the country, and his clowning in the show is terrific, but he can't sing a lick, and his posturing with a phony "Main Line" accent is a cartoonish attempt to be funny. It's not.
Jane Houdyshell in a real cartoon role as Stamos's mother is totally believable and super entertaining. Dee Hoty, playing Trim's mother, is really a high-level Broadway singer but doesn't have a solo number.
Direction and choreography by Robert Longbottom is brisk, vigorous, the inventive multi-set by Andrew Jackness, is very alive and active, solid color cartoon costumes by Greg Barnes add to the flavor, and Ken Billington's lighting is just right. There is a naive sweetness to the show with its simple story, and with the memorable songs, it is a light, enjoyable evening.
