To: Bob Greenblatt, Chairman, NBC Entertainment
NBC, Please Don't Ruin Bye, Bye, Birdie
NBC is producing a live version of the 1960 musical Bye, Bye Birdie and has decided to "update" it by changing everything about the show, including the plot, its inspiration, and the character dynamics. Help us stop them from destroying this family-friendly and fun-filled show. To paraphrase the late, great Paul Lynde, "What's the matter with NBC today?!"
Why is this important?
You can read about what NBC is doing to this beloved musical here:
http://pagesix.com/2017/03/30/nbcs-bye-bye-birdie-will-be-less-sexist-and-old-fashioned/
NBC has kept the title, the character names, and a few of the songs, which now don't make any sense out of context. The very core of the show, exploring the Elvis Presley phenomena, is completely destroyed. To define the relationship between Albert and Rosie as just "a boss who is dating his secretary," completely misstates the depth and longevity of the pair.The whole point of "One Last Kiss," was Birdie's last kiss before going into the Army. "Lot of Livin'" is Kim's reaction to going on a date with a big, famous star, such as Birdie, and it doesn't make sense if she goes on a date with some kid she knows from school. While Mrs. Peterson might be upset her boy is marrying a secretary, her objections to marrying a fellow school teacher seem unreasonable. Paul Lynde's signature song, "Kids!" is a reaction to then-new phenomena of teenage girls falling for mass idols, such as Elvis, but the girls would hardly being going wild for some boy from their school.
There may be a decent musical in what NBC is doing, but it isn't Bye, Bye, Birdie. Join me in asking them to do the show as originally intended or just produce a new musical with a new name.