“Bye Bye Birdie” is one of the most captivating musical shows of our time, according to a press release from the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts. Set in 1958, “Bye Bye Birdie” is a satire crafted “with the fondest affection telling the story of a rock ’n’ roll singer who is about to be inducted into the army and a crazy publicity gimic concocted by his manager,” the release states. The story was inspired by the phenomenon of popular singer Elvis Presley and his draft notice into the Army in 1957. See this Tony Award-winning Broadway classic at the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts July 1 to 11. The show is filled with works from the classic Broadway songbook such as “An English Teacher,” “What Did I Ever See in Him?,” “Put on a Happy Face,” “One Boy,” “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” “Kids,” “Rosie” and “Spanish Rose.” Wagon Wheel favorites Kira Lace Hawkins, Andy Robinson, Ellen Jenders, Moncia Brown and Scott Fuss are joined by Kristen Yasenchak, Jordan André, Audrey Kennedy and the company. This farce is directed by another Wagon Wheel veteran, Tony Humerichouser, director of the Musical Theatre Program at the Conservatory of Music and Dance, University of Missouri-Kansas City. Tickets are on sale at Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts or can be purchased online at wagonwheelcenter.org The cost of admission is $32 for adults, $24 for seniors, $18 for students and $14 for children up to age 12. Call the box office at 574-267-8041 with any questions. The show is presented by First Source Bank and the Esther Pfleiderer Fund.
