Bye Bye Birdie is a 1960 Broadway musical (adapted into a 1963 film) focusing on the fervor surrounding a pop star being drafted into the army. Several of the songs (with music by Charles Strouse) went on to become popular standards. The show was revived on Broadway in 2010, done as a TV movie in 1995, and led to a short run Broadway sequel Bring Back Birdie (1981).

Songs performed in Muppet/Henson productions[]

• "Put on a Happy Face," various times
• "A Lot of Livin' to Do" in the Dinosaurs episode "Family Challenge"
• "How Lovely to Be a Woman" in the Dinosaurs episode "And the Winner Is..."

References[]

• Big Bird shows Susan his play "Bye Bye Birdie" in Episode 3013, which consists of the kids saying bye when he leaves. Big Bird's planning a sequel: "Hi Hi Birdie."

• The script for Episode 3187 uses the header "Bye Bye Birdie" for a scene where Jamal returns a bird to the wild.

• The Sesame Street song "Sleep!" spoofs the song "Kids" from the musical.

• "We Love You Vegetables Song" from Episode 4232 spoofs "We Love You, Conrad."

• A spoof poster for "Fly Bye Birdie" can be seen at Sesame Street at Sea World.

Connections[]

• Jason Alexander played Albert Peterson in the 1995 television version.
• Tyne Daly played Mae Peterson in the 1995 television version.
• Maurice Hines played Mtobe in the Broadway sequel Bring Back Birdie (1981)
• Bill Irwin played Harry MacAfee in the 2009 Broadway revival.
• Paul Lynde played Harry MacAfee in the original Broadway and 1963 film versions.
• Peter Marshall played Albert Peterson in the 1962 West End production.
• John Morris arranged the original dance music on Broadway.
• Maureen Stapleton played Mae Peterson in the 1963 film version.
• Jessica Stone played Ursula Merkle in a 1991 national tour.
• Ed Sullivan played himself in the 1963 film version.
• Dick Van Dyke played Albert Peterson in the original Broadway and 1963 film versions.
• Susan Watson originated Kim MacAfee on Broadway.
• George Wendt played Harry MacAfee in the 1995 television version.
• Vanessa Williams played Rose Alvarez in the 1995 television version.
• Lorene Yarnell played a dancer in the 1963 film version.