Blue suede shoes on the Civic Theatre Stage for the first time

The Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts is not just the largest community theater in Grand Rapids, but the fifth largest in the country, producing nine full productions a year with 800 volunteers. Supporting the theater with ticket sales and donations offsets the costs of these productions, and allows the theater to continuing inspiring and training young thespians, performers and crew, as well as providing vibrant downtown entertainment.

Their next production was written over 50 years ago where it premiered on Broadway, won a Tony award, was developed into a Hollywood movie and has since earned many revivals on stages across the globe. Now, for the very first time, Bye Bye Birdie appears on the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre stage.
 

Bye Bye Birdie is one classic you will not want to miss. This musical marked the first time in history that teenagers had a voice on stage. The satire is based on the effect Elvis Presley had on his nationwide fan base when he was called into the armed services.
 

“The Civic Theatre is known for family-friendly shows and for bringing the classics to stage,” says director Bruce Tinker. “After six weeks of rehearsal for Bye Bye Birdie, I’m excited for Friday’s opening night.”
 

“You are going to love Conrad Birdie,” says Civic Theatre’s Nancy Brozek, referencing the play's title character. “The actor is channeling a bit of Jerry Lee Lewis, a whole lot of Elvis Presley and even including some of the mighty Mick Jagger.” Well, with that combination, how could we resist?
 

And, here’s some inside dish for you: if you can’t make it to this performance opening tomorrow, there are whispers that the next couple of shows will be fantastic and that next season is unstoppable with its lineup. Drum roll, please…
 

• Dixie Swim Club

• Flat Stanley

• A Christmas Carol

• The Heart is a Lonely Hunter

• Fiddler on the Roof

• Anne of Green Gables

• Legally Blonde
 

You heard it here first, folks. Civic Theatre is on fire! Do you want to help put the good back in do-gooder as well? Well, of course. Here’s how…
 

• Purchase tickets to Bye Bye Birdie 

• LIKE Civic Theatre on Facebook

• Learn more about Civic Theatre

• Volunteer

• Join their mailing list 

• Become a sesaon member

• Donate
 

Source:  Nancy Brozek, Civic Theatre; Bruce Tinker, Civic Theatre

Writer:  Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor