THE 5TH AVENUE THEATRE "BYE BYE BIRDIE" June 10 - 29, 2025 Review
BYE BYE BIRDY
Book by Michael Stewart
Music: Charles Strouse Lyrics: Lee Adams
Music Director: Beth G. Tankersley
Choreographer: Jimmy Shields
Director: Paige Price
The 5th Avenue Theatre
Seattle, WA
June 13, 2025 Evening Performance - Opening Night and Media Night
The opening of “Bye Bye Birdie” was on Friday evening at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, WA. This was a show I was not familiar with compared to the other two productions this season that I reviewed. So, I went in with very minimal knowledge of what I was about to experience.
Right off the top every aspect of this show was extremely well done. From the opening title sequence in lights, to the wardrobe, the stage design, and everything else that hit the stage. There was a great attention to detail which I immediately noticed and appreciated.
The show itself was overall very light and I’m assuming since it’s an older musical that changes have happened over the years to make it more “accessible” and keeping with the current times. Plenty of song and dance numbers, everything you would expect from an older musical theatre production.
My concern was that nothing resonated with me. I thought the story (loosely based on Elvis) would be the first thing that I connected with but it was just kinda there. The kissing contest, the teens falling all over Conrad Birdie, it was fine but again it didn’t do much for me.
Being a musician and longtime concert lover, I expected Conrad to take over the stage any time he was on it. His character was so built up throughout the show that when he appeared, he was really like any part of the cast. I think this was a misstep and either the actor (Alex Walton) or the director needed to make him stand out with more charisma and drive which would have helped him be more believable.
The orchestra was on point and they sounded fantastic throughout the performance. Kudos also to a few numbers in the second act that really caught my attention, namely, “Spanish Rose” and, “ Baby, Talk To Me.” The vocals from Ashley Perez Flanagan (as Rosie) were spectacular as were the vocals from Albert, Hugo, and the adult ensemble in the second number.
Overall, “Bye Bye Birdie” was like a nice, light, easy to digest musical theatre show. It was, dare I say, safe feeling (nothing wrong with that) so it should appeal to many different theatre patrons. For me it was a fun experience but not necessarily a required one.
“Bye Bye Birdie” runs through June 29th. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
This review was written by a credentialed member of the media who is an actual human being. No Artificial Intelligence programs were used in its creation. Thank you.
Book by Michael Stewart
Music: Charles Strouse Lyrics: Lee Adams
Music Director: Beth G. Tankersley
Choreographer: Jimmy Shields
Director: Paige Price
The 5th Avenue Theatre
Seattle, WA
June 13, 2025 Evening Performance - Opening Night and Media Night
(The cast of Bye Bye Birdie at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Photo by Tracy Martin. Courtesy of The 5th Avenue Theatre.)
The opening of “Bye Bye Birdie” was on Friday evening at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, WA. This was a show I was not familiar with compared to the other two productions this season that I reviewed. So, I went in with very minimal knowledge of what I was about to experience.
Right off the top every aspect of this show was extremely well done. From the opening title sequence in lights, to the wardrobe, the stage design, and everything else that hit the stage. There was a great attention to detail which I immediately noticed and appreciated.
The show itself was overall very light and I’m assuming since it’s an older musical that changes have happened over the years to make it more “accessible” and keeping with the current times. Plenty of song and dance numbers, everything you would expect from an older musical theatre production.
(Jazmin Gorsline and Susanna Cathryn Ballenski in Bye Bye Birdie at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Photo by Tracy Martin. Courtesy of The 5th Avenue Theatre.)
My concern was that nothing resonated with me. I thought the story (loosely based on Elvis) would be the first thing that I connected with but it was just kinda there. The kissing contest, the teens falling all over Conrad Birdie, it was fine but again it didn’t do much for me.
Being a musician and longtime concert lover, I expected Conrad to take over the stage any time he was on it. His character was so built up throughout the show that when he appeared, he was really like any part of the cast. I think this was a misstep and either the actor (Alex Walton) or the director needed to make him stand out with more charisma and drive which would have helped him be more believable.
The orchestra was on point and they sounded fantastic throughout the performance. Kudos also to a few numbers in the second act that really caught my attention, namely, “Spanish Rose” and, “ Baby, Talk To Me.” The vocals from Ashley Perez Flanagan (as Rosie) were spectacular as were the vocals from Albert, Hugo, and the adult ensemble in the second number.
(The cast of Bye Bye Birdie at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Photo Credit: Photo by Tracy Martin. Courtesy of The 5th Avenue Theatre.)
Overall, “Bye Bye Birdie” was like a nice, light, easy to digest musical theatre show. It was, dare I say, safe feeling (nothing wrong with that) so it should appeal to many different theatre patrons. For me it was a fun experience but not necessarily a required one.
“Bye Bye Birdie” runs through June 29th. Purchase tickets: HERE!
Best,
Mark Sugiyama
Eclectic Arts Media
Connect with Eclectic Arts Media: Social Media and Email Links
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