Michael Stewart's Bye Bye Birdie Birdie hysteria has struck the small quite town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, in this musical production of the 50's craze Bye Bye Birdie. Written by Michael Stewart, this 1961 Broadway musical tells of a story of an Elvis-type singer named Conrad Birdie (Jesse Pearson), who is drafted into the United States Army. Upon hearing the news of the teenage-idol’s depart, his devastated agent Albert Peterson (Dick Van Dyke), and his secretary Rosie Alvarez (Janet Leigh), concoct
The power of television is strong and inevitable. Television has the ability to draw people in and view the world through a perspective one would think unimaginable. After the second world war ended in 1945, electronic sales boomed and more families started to gather around the tv at night to view widely famous television shows. Specifically, The Ed Sullivan Show was known for its plethora of celebrities and up and coming entertainers. The shows popularity was able to take a small town artist and
Bob Fosse originally choreographed Bye Bye Blackbird in 1972. It was created with the purpose of Liza Minnelli performing the lead role on her TV special: “Liza with a Z”. The Music is by Ray Henderson and the lyrics are by Mort Dixon ("Fosse - the Musical."). Bye Bye Blackbird is a dance piece in which every dancer is required to sing. There is a lead role and sixteen dancers supporting the lead. Although it was originally created and purposed for Liza Minnelli, in this production the role of the
Good Bye Lenin! was set in 1989 East Germany. It followed the story of a young man named Alex – although, at the beginning of the film, he was just a boy. His mother thrived under the socialistic regime of East Berlin at the time. She was a schoolteacher, led the children’s choir, and wrote unpleasant reviews to companies in the hopes of bringing justice to unsatisfied customers in her spare time. Alex had a sister named Ariane. Alex and Ariane’s father had left when they were very young, which sent
Dick Van Dyke was an American actor and comedian whose career took off after starring in a hit tv show called “The Dick Van Dyke Show”. It was originally aired on October 3, 1961. Dick Van Dyke was born on December 13, 1925 in West Plains, Missouri. As a kid Van Dyke grew up with one of his big influences being Stan Laurel from the comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Van Dyke then began to be known for his comedy. Although Van Dyke was born in West Plains, Missouri, he grew up in Danville, Illinois. His
musically gifted some might say, he and his siblings formed a band called "The Hot Rods" performing at their family owned gas station from time to time. While he attended college at Oklahoma State University, James was in the college production of "Bye Bye Birdie". While in college James was a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity as he studied Broadcast Journalism. After attending college for over a year, James unexpectedly dropped out of college to pursue his acting career in Los Angeles, California
“Be slow to fall into friendship, but when thou art in, continue firm and constant.” This is a quote from the renowned philosopher, Socrates. One thing that has remained constant in humanity throughout time is friendship, companionship, or family. This can be found in groups of people, communities, animal-human companionships, and more. It is something that I have struggled with my entire life, but things changed for me this year. Ever since I was in elementary school, I’ve been somewhat
On Friday, April 28, 2017, the department of speech, theatre, and dance at the University of Tampa’s College of Arts and Letters held an all-male musical cabaret, titled “Ahhh...MEN,” featuring ten of UT’s students from the department in the Sykes Chapel. The musical cabaret was conceived, directed, and choreographed by Paul E. Finocchiaro, musically directed by Tara Richards Swartsbaugh with Carly Baker as the stage manager and production assistant. The students performed 11 songs of various genres
Important Formative Experience I have had many theater-related experiences. Every chapter that I have read in my theater book has allowed me to make a connection to my past experiences with theater performances. I have also seen many plays and could relate to things an audience sees by reading the book. My first theater experience ever is when I was in the Nutcracker. We did a ballet performance for this play. I was very young when I did this, but I remember my instructor always saying that we must
“I’m the end of the line; absurd and appalling as it may seem, serious New York theater has died in my lifetime.” This quote was said by the famous playwright, Arthur Miller. He was not the only person thinking that Broadway’s end is near. Theater industry members, scholars and journalists believe that Broadway is going extinct. “Many belief that American theater is suffering an artistic death” (Wollman). Many people think that Broadway is dying. I strongly disagree with that opinion. Broadway
Lin-Manuel Miranda Brings Life onto a Latino Stage Tony winning composer-lyricist, Lin-Manuel Miranda, said that, "Life is like a play, and a script can be created with each experience lived". His father always told him, "Lin Manuel...to be successful you must study." (Univision) That's because he always liked best the arts, music, and other afterschool activities. His parents helped him realize that an education was necessary and that his dreams would come true by finishing his studies and with