A short history of Conrad Birdie

or, a case for "the worst musical by names you know"

Charles Strouse wrote a lot of Broadway musicals, but his legacy is really just Annie and Bye Bye Birdie. First mounted in 1960, Bye Bye Birdie shamelessly coopts the story of Elvis Presley being drafted into the Army and giving a ceremonial “last kiss” as a publicity stunt before he shipped off. It is also incredible. And it’s a longer story than you t…