“Bye Bye Birdie” at No Square Theatre

From Left: Gia D'Amelio, Sophie Russ, Sadie Guerrero, Allison Murillo, Katie Hamilton, Gary Greene

A Love Letter to Teenage Idols-- Because Everyone Remembers Their First Celebrity Crush

By Shannon Cudd

“Bye Bye Birdie” first opened on Broadway in 1960. It tells the story of rock-and-roll star Conrad Birdie, who has been drafted into the United States Army, leaving millions of teenagers heartbroken. If this plot sounds familiar, it’s because the show was a reaction to real-life events in 1957, when Elvis Presley was drafted during the Cold War.

Artistic Director Joe Lauderdale first encountered the show while performing in it during college. “It was so much fun to do. It was so energetic and colorful, and we just had a great time doing it,” he reminisced. Director Karen Rymar recalled seeing her friend Susan Egan play Kim alongside Tommy Tune in the early ’90s.

Although Lauderdale did not personally select this season or choose “Bye Bye Birdie (the previous Artistic Director did), he said he would have picked this classic himself. Rymar was invited to direct after her successful work on “Dogfight.” The show chose her and she is so thankful it did. “I have fallen so in love with this show-- just so in love,” she gushed. They even brought back Production Stage Manager Chloe Deutschman so she could be part of it all.

From Left: Ryan L Reese, Emma Pinza, Katie Baker

Even though Rymar considers the show a satire, she is making sure her actors are grounded and sincere. “I really want all the actors to be entrenched in the truth of it all,” she explained. During rehearsals, the cast was encouraged to explore before committing to big choices. “We will get there-- where we elevate it-- but only once we are sure that we're in the truth of it,” Rymar said.

The actors have a beautiful and innovative playground to work with. The space features a three-quarter thrust stage, making the audience part of the action. Set designer Chris Caputo has placed the stage inside a jukebox, complete with stacks of 45s and albums. There are also screens used for projections to help with transitions, and a live band, which gives the cast more musical freedom than working with rigid tracks.

Even though the musical is set in 1958, its themes still resonate today. Lauderdale mused that “the adoration of celebrity is something that hasn’t changed.” There’s also the age-old story of generational differences. “The adults do not understand the way kids are behaving,” Rymar said. The reverse is also true-- and it has come up during the rehearsal process.

Many of the younger actors playing teens didn’t immediately understand the 1950s references. Rymar worked with them to immerse them in the time period. “We started with table work,” she explained. “And every time we work on a scene before we stage it, we all sit down and read it again. And really talk through those things. So it was a big table work show for sure. You might not think that with this show, but it was.” 

“In a way-- and it's true about all classic shows-- there’s always a history lesson,” Lauderdale added.

From Left: Sebastian Bojorquez, Sadie Guerrero

 Lauderdale is proud that No Square is presenting this musical from Broadway’s Golden Age. “Theatres are not doing classic musicals much anymore,” he explained. “We need to remember our history of classic plays and musicals because they are the written history of our lives and what was happening at a particular time. ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ tends to be a popular children’s theatre piece because it has youth in it. So I'm really glad to have the opportunity to give it the No Square treatment.”

While Conrad Birdie is a fictional character, most people can relate to idolizing a celebrity in their teenage years. For Rymar, that was Shaun Cassidy. She made sure the younger members of the cast knew who he was. Lauderdale shared that his haircut was once modeled after the pop star.

“My Conrad Birdie was actually Stephen Sondheim,” Lauderdale proudly confessed. He also mentioned Carol Burnett and Karen Carpenter.

Rymar hopes audiences remember that feeling of teenage bliss when they leave the theatre. “I want them to feel joy because this is a time when we need joy,” she said. “I would like them to have an escape for the two hours that they’re in the space—to forget what’s going on outside—but at the same time, recognize the power of choice that we all have within ourselves.” Rosie and Albert’s character arcs are a great example of this.

From Left: Katie Baker, Sadie Guerrero

“It’s an incredibly gifted and talented cast. And Karen is a great director, “ Lauderdale added. 

Both Lauderdale and Rymar are proud to call No Square their artistic home. “No Square really wants to give opportunities for the community to release their artistic self, and to give them a safe place to be,” Lauderdale explained. “We want everyone to have a great time doing theatre and know that we appreciate them and love that they’re there. And it’s not just actors—it’s directors and designers and everyone involved with theatre, including the audiences.”

There’s a lot of livin’ to do in Laguna Beach, complete with hormonal teens and exasperated adults, beginning July 18.

Shannon Cudd is a writer, actor, and theatre lover in Orange County, California. 

“Bye Bye Birdie” No Square Theatre 384 Legion St, Laguna Beach, CA

July 18 - August 3, 2025

(949) 715-0333, www.NoSquare.org