The Music Department of Hope International University is pleased to announce its Spring musical production of Bye Bye Birdie.

"We are so excited about the upcoming production of Bye Bye Birdie, which is, in many ways, the all-American, feel-good musical," Director Ember Williams said. "This show has got it all - an entertaining plot, larger-than-life characters, dynamic choreography and great songs, all wrapped up in the nostalgia of the 1950s. We hope the show will be as fun for the audience to watch as it is for our cast to perform."

Inspired by Elvis Presley and his draft notice in 1957, the Tony Award winning Bye Bye Birdie is set in 1958 and centers on the effects of a popular rock-and-roll star leaving for the army. The suave superstar in question is Conrad Birdie (based on real-life musician Conway Twitty). When Conrad is drafted, his agent devises a publicity stunt to have him premiere one last song and to kiss a girl from his fan club on The Ed Sullivan Show before going overseas. When fifteen-year-old Kim MacAfee from Sweet Apple, Ohio is chosen as that lucky girl, the news thrills everyone in her small town except her boyfriend Hugo. As the show and impending kiss draw closer, tension and teenage romance play out against the backdrop of the late 1950s emerging rock-and-roll culture in this popular musical comedy.

Written by Michael Stewart, with lyrics by Lee Adams, and music by Charles Strouse, Bye Bye Birdie was originally performed on Broadway in 1960, and won four Tony awards, including Best Musical. The famous titular song was written for the 1963 film adaptation starring Ann-Margret, Janet Leigh, and Dick Van Dyke.

Ticket price: $10

Performance Dates:

• Friday, March 9 – Matinee, 10 a.m. (for local schools)
• Saturday, March 10 - Opening Night, 7:30 p.m.,
  • For tickets, go to the Will Call window (opens at 6:30 p.m.)
• Thursday, March 15 - Evening Performance, 7:30 p.m.
• Friday, March 16 – Matinee, 10 a.m. (for local schools)
• Friday, March 16 - Evening Performance, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday, March 17 – Evening Performance, 7:30 p.m.

In addition to online ticket sales, tickets will be available for purchase at the door, which opens one hour prior to the show. Each performance will last approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. Doors open for seating 30 minutes prior to the show time. The Box office will be closed after 4pm on 3/16/12.

Matinee Tickets
If you or your school is interested in attending a matinee performance, contact:
Ember Williams at 714-879-3901 ext. 1283

Evening Performance Tickets
Box Office - (714) 681-7235

Address
Pacific Auditorium
Hope International University
2500 E. Nutwood Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92831

Parking:
Free parking is available for evening performances on Friday and Saturday at CSUF Lot S, accessible from Commonwealth Avenue. For all performances on Thursday evening and Friday morning, parking is available at CSUF parking structures, accessible from St. College & Arts Drive, for a cost of $8 per vehicle.