Director’s Note

“Why Bye Bye Birdie now?” That’s a question I have received and pondered over the last few months. The best answer comes straight from the show: “What’s the matter with kids today?” As a parent, I constantly fret about social media and video games the same way my parents feared the influence of television, and their parents worried about rock ’n’ roll. We are in a constant generational tug of war: trying to reconcile our experiences with the ambitions of our children. The beauty of Birdie is that it holds up a comedic mirror to the eternal tensions between parents/guardians and their kids. This generation of parents holds their collective breath at the sway of so-called “influencers” hawking everything from socks to sunglasses to seltzers. Previous generations, perhaps less wittingly, tuned in almost religiously on Sunday nights to watch the most effective influencer in American cultural history: Ed Sullivan. Sullivan, a key presence in this show, brilliantly used his talents as a tastemaker to bring the Beatles to the U.S., make the Supremes a sensation, give Broadway shows national exposure, and make us think that plate-spinners and a talking mouse were entertaining. Conversely, he gave us Elvis (but only from the waist up), he disciplined the Rolling Stones (“Let’s Spend Some Time Together”), and ruthlessly curtailed the career of comedian Jackie Mason over a perceived onscreen obscene gesture. So as you enjoy this classic piece of American theater tonight, enjoy laughing at your fears and insecurities as much as you are laughing at those of previous generations. I think we can also find some humor in the future struggles of our children when and if they become parents themselves. Thank you for joining us tonight. We are grateful for your support of Theater and the Arts at Poly Prep.

Andrew Cooper-Leary Director

BYE

BYE BIRDIE: YOUTH EDITION is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/ OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/ protecting-artists