'Bye Bye Birdie' opens Aug. 16

The Christian Community Theater North Idaho production of "Bye Bye Birdie" will open at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16, at the Midge and Pepper Smock Family Theatre at the Kroc.

Teenagers, rock and roll and national television — "Bye Bye Birdie" captures the energy and excitement of the late 1950s with warmth, hilarity and an exuberant score set in small-town America.

In CCT's "Bye Bye Birdie," teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie, played by Daniel Renz, is drafted to serve in the military, breaking the hearts of his dedicated masses of fans.

Birdie was about to record a song for struggling songwriter Albert Peterson (Thomas Gandy), whose longtime girlfriend, Rosie (Jessica Jameson), pushes him to write a new tune Birdie will perform on television to a fan selected in a contest. The scheme works, with young Ohio teenager Kim McAfee (Juliet Hunt) declared the winner who will also receive an onstage kiss from Birdie, but no one expects her jealous boyfriend to enter the mix.

"Bye Bye Birdie" is based on a book by Michael Stewart. The original Broadway production opened April 14, 1960, at the Martin Beck Theatre with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams. The play made its big screen debut when it premiered as a film April 4, 1963.

CCT will run eight performances of "Birdie" through Aug. 25.

A program of Christian Youth Theater North Idaho, CCT offers theater opportunities for everyone who wants to perform on stage, regardless of age, allowing families to perform together.

Visit cytnorthidaho.org for tickets and show details.

The Kroc Center is at 1765 W. Golf Course Road, Coeur d'Alene.