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in defence of Bring Back Birdie

Posted by: Glitter 07:02 pm EDT 04/03/14

some songs popped up on my ipod today....and I thought they were great.


BBB is universally regarded as being horrible......dumb story, weird set, sour leading man, none of the charm of the original. However, I think there's something to be said for the score. "I Like What I Do" and "Well I'm Not" are fun character songs with inventive lyrics, and "I Love 'Em All" seems like it could have been a "No Time At All"-type showstopper!

I'm interested in hearing from people who saw it...did any of the songwriting or lyrics jump out at you in the theatre or was it just cringe-worthy all around?


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re: in defence of Bring Back Birdie

Posted by: mlop 01:11 am EDT 04/04/14
In reply to: in defence of Bring Back Birdie - Glitter 07:02 pm EDT 04/03/14

I was at opening night and agree with the songs. Sadly nothing could compare to the original and that is why the sequel didn't work, similarly like ANNIE.

I saw the show twice and enjoyed it. Don't we always wonder what happened to the characters after the show ended.


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re: in defence of Bring Back Birdie

Posted by: Delvino 11:45 pm EDT 04/03/14
In reply to: in defence of Bring Back Birdie - Glitter 07:02 pm EDT 04/03/14

Saw it. Ghastly. Charmless. Tuneless. Chita? No.


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re: in defence of Bring Back Birdie

Posted by: BruceinIthaca 11:39 pm EDT 04/03/14
In reply to: in defence of Bring Back Birdie - Glitter 07:02 pm EDT 04/03/14

I didn't see it, and, like you, only know it from a recording (when it came out on cassette tape years later). I am as devoted a Chita fan as there is, and eagerly looked forward to it because I had never heard it and it was another chance to hear her voice (yes, I always loved her singing and dancing and acting)--and the only musical I have ever directed was a production of "Bye Bye Birdie" at an engineering college in upstate NY! I was so disappointed--not by Chita (who sold it like a pro), but by how awful the songs were. Even Chita couldn't save the recording. And I gather than Donald O'Connor was not easy to work with--you can kinda tell if you listen to the whole thing.

The first Birdie remains charming and exciting in its own now-historical way. I can listen to it over and over. But I don't even know where my Bring Back cassette is (if I still have it).


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re: in defence of Bring Back Birdie

Posted by: Michael_212 10:56 pm EDT 04/03/14
In reply to: in defence of Bring Back Birdie - Glitter 07:02 pm EDT 04/03/14

It was a harsh satire that made fun of the cheery tone of the original. The same as Let 'em Eat Cake and Annie II: Miss Hannigan's Revenge. By the time I saw in in previews I understand it was toned down a bit. (The punk rock song with flushing toilets was cut.)

I knew it wasn't good when I was watching it, but for the price of a TKTS seat I had a fun time and was never bored.

Link Corner Table

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re: in defence of Bring Back Birdie

Posted by: RonAnnArbor 08:14 pm EDT 04/03/14
In reply to: in defence of Bring Back Birdie - Glitter 07:02 pm EDT 04/03/14

The album is better than the show. The score was somewhat decent. I saw it early during previews so I can't comment on the final product, but I recall liking it okay -- I was just a college kid at the time, so what did I know -- more experienced friends hated it, and I recall being a bit embarrassed to voice that I had kind of liked it...


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