FVCC theater presents 'Bye Bye Birdie'

The theater department at Flathead Valley Community College will perform the 1960 musical “Bye Bye Birdie” over two weekends, April 20-22 and 28-29.

The April 21 and 28 shows will begin at 8 p.m. and the remaining shows will begin at 7 p.m. in the campus theatre located inside the Arts and Technology Building.

“BYE BYE Birdie” was a Broadway hit from 1960 to 1961, and was made into a movie in 1963 starring Dick Van Dyke and Ann-Margret. The story is based on real-life events surrounding Elvis Presley’s receipt of a draft notice from the U.S. Army in 1957. In the play, teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie has been drafted, so he chooses all-American girl Kim McAfee for a very public farewell kiss live on the Ed Sullivan Show. However, Conrad’s risqué moves make more than one man in town uncomfortable, many of whom attempt to stop the show from happening.

FVCC adjunct theatre professor Rebecca Spear is directing the production.

“In celebration of FVCC’s 50th year, we wanted to produce a bright, fun show honoring the college’s inaugural decade,” Spear said. “What better way to take a trip down the 1960s nostalgic lane than with the frolicsome, cheerful ‘Bye Bye Birdie.’”

TICKETS ARE $10 for the general public, $5 for senior citizens and free for all students. They are available for purchase at the door, or in advance at the FVCC Bookstore or online at www.fvcc.edu/theatre.