Bye Bye Birdie – A musical – written by Mike Stewart, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams and directed by Jack J. Bennett will open on September 30, 7:00 p.m. at Fremont Centre Theatre.

In Bye Bye Birdie, the number one rock star in the country, Conrad Birdie, has been drafted into the army. As a final pre-service publicity stunt, his promoter arranges for him to go to the Midwestern town of Sweet Apple, Ohio to kiss a gorgeous teenage fan, Kim, on national television, for broadcast on the nation’s top-rated musical variety show. This does not sit well with the young lady’s devoted boyfriend, Hugo. Meanwhile, Albert the promoter is facing pressure from his beautiful secretary/girlfriend, Rosie, to leave the music business, join a more sedate occupation and settle down with her.

Will Albert and Rosie’s romance survive? Will Hugo’s and Kim’s?

Bye Bye Birdie, originally produced on Broadway in 1960 and revived there in 2010, poked gentle fun at a pre-Beatles America’s fascination with rock stars and with mass media. (Elvis Presley was famously drafted into the army at the pinnacle of his young career.) The musical’s lively score contained several songs which became standards (I’ve Got A Lot Of Living To Do; Put On A Happy Face; more).

The show has enough laughs and great songs to bring it back again, this time at Fremont Centre Theatre, where it will be presented by Young Stars Theatre, a resident company at the Fremont.

Jack J. Bennett directs. He has over 100 stage directing credits to his name. Also an actor, he has also appeared on stage, screen and television, most recently in All The Way. His face and voice are also familiar from his more than 100 TV commercials.

Bye Bye Birdie is double-cast. The Rock Cast (a traditional cast with adults and teens) performs on Friday, September 30 at 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 2 at 2:00 p.m.; Saturday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 9 at 2:00 p.m.; Friday, October 14 t 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 16 at 2:00 p.m.; Saturday, October 22 at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, October 23 at 7:00 p.m. Actors in the Rock Cast include (in alphabetical order): Christina Amber, Ryan Baumann, Gabriel Bomfiglio, Mirai Booth-Ong, Tara Cox, Clara Daly, Jasmine Einbinder, Matthew Golden, Shaina Hammer, Stephanie Harvey, Lucia Jacobson, Sophia Kavcioglu, Kurt Koehler, Liveria Leebong, Chloe Lesieur, Idalis McZeal, Jaaziah McZeal, Tony Prichard, Elliott Scott, Meera Sinroja, Levi Srebalus, Stacy Rae Toyon, Shakila Zschoche and Shinayah Zschoche.

The Roll Cast (an all-youth cast) performs on Saturday October 1 at 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 2 at 7:00 p.m.; Friday, October 7 at 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 9 at 2:00 p.m.; Saturday, October 15 at 7:00 p.m.; Sunday, October16 at 7:00 p.m.; Friday, October 21 at 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday, October 23 at 2:00 p.m. The Roll Cast includes (in alphabetical order) Christina Amber, J’Quinn Einbinder, Jacqueline Eubank, Eadan Franklynn, Matias Geiberger, Matthew Golden, Yaslyn Isaza, Emily Mae Kamp, Sophia Kavcioglu, Chloe Lesieur, Delilah March, Aidan Martin, Lauren-Claire Martin, Idalis McZeal, Jaaziah McZeal, Alyssa Prachasaisoradej, Araceli Prasarttongosoth, Landyn Rosemond, Mikey Tua, Jadon Valdez, Liam Walker, Jack Wisinski and Arielle Zaytsev.

As the original 1960s era ads for the show said, “ Go! Go! See! See! Bye Bye Birdie!”

Admission is $30. Except September 30 and October 1, $35 (includes reception). For reservations, go to www.YoungStarsTheatre.org/tickets

Fremont Centre Theatre, 1000 Fremont Ave. (at El Centro), South Pasadena. Ample free parking behind theatre.