BRING BACK BIRDIE A Musical Comedy in 2 Acts, 15 Scenes: Conceived as a sequel to Bye, Bye Birdie. Book by Michael Stewart. Music by Charles Strouse. Lyrics by Lee Adams. Martin Beck Theatre, New York: Opened 5 March 1981, closed 7 March 1981 (4 perfs). SYNOPSIS The story recounts how Albert and Rose, 20 years after the events depicted in Bye, Bye Birdie, try to bring back Conrad Birdie for a guest appearance on a Grammy Awards Show. STORY - from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Act 1 As the house lights dim, we hear a woman's voice telling us, in story-teller-lady fashion: "Once upon a time, so long ago that New York City hadn't even been bankrupt once, there lived a young man in the music business named Albert Peterson, who loved his secretary, Rose. His only client, a rock-n-roll idol known as Conrad Birdie, was being drafted into the army, and Rose wanted Albert to give up the music business, marry her, and become - an English teacher! Alas, Albert's mother - a frail and gentle old lady with many of the same endearing qualities as Snow White's stepmother-opposed the match. But love triumphed, Conrad vanished, the mother was banished, Albert married his Rose and became an English teacher and they all lived happily ever after - till now. We see two shadowy figures in a darkened room, and, after Albert finds the light switch, we learn that Rose and Albert are burglarising their old office, looking for the contract that will put them on the trail of Conrad Birdie. It seems that Birdie disappeared 18 years ago, and Albert has been offered twenty thousand dollars if he can track down his former client and get him to perform on a TV Grammy Award special along with other giant recording stars of yesterday. Albert has accepted the challenge, eager to return to the music business, and Rose is unhappy about it. "Albert," she pleads, "if N.B.C. wants Conrad, let them find him! We have too much at stake!" Albert is almost convinced. Then Mtobe, the fly-by-night detective who is the office's current tenant, appears, and to Rose's disgust finds the old contract. "Rose," Albert yells excitedly, "Look!" Engagement between Conrad Birdie and the El Coyote Club, Bent River Junction, Arizona, April 8, 1962. Rose, we've got packing to do. I want to start for Arizona tomorrow!" Poor Rose! It looks like her peaceful days in Forest Hills are over. Now, in Forest Hills, we meet Jenny, the Peterson's 16-year-old daughter, and Albert Jr., 14, a budding guitarist. We learn that Jenny has her own plan for leaving home. Next we see Rose in the Peterson Kitchen, contentedly doing her housewifely chores laden with boxes of "Cheer," "Joy," and "Yes." Her song becomes an ironical commentary as her children, her husband, and even Detective Mtobe each deliver a bombshell. Rose reluctantly agrees to help Albert find Conrad, but . . ."only ten days, that's it! And no Guatemala, no SoHo, and no Mamma! And to make absolutely certain, I'm sending you kids to Cousin Alice's in New Jersey while we're away." Instantly we're in the bus terminal. Albert has arranged "a spontaneous demonstration by the youth of America demanding the return of Conrad Birdie." Mtobe, who will do anything for a fee, appears and sings the song Albert has written for the occasion. Rose and Albert board their bus to Tucson, believing that Jenny and Albert Jr. are on their bus to Cousin Alice's. Instead, Jenny, angry that her mother has vetoed her plan to live with her boyfriend, is intrigued by a saffron-robed lady, who says, "Come, march with the Reverend Sun, sister, and find fulfilment." Jenny does. And her brother joins a punk rock band and takes off to fulfil his destiny.
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