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Very well executed

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It's not a minor problem that ten minutes into the opening, I had trouble buying the premise, that Vanessa Williams had waited eight years for Jason Alexander to become an English professor and marry her. In the original, Dick Van Dyke and Chita seemed like a match made in heaven, so I was on board from the word go. Otherwise, I thought the casting was great, although Chinna Phyllips didn't have the voice of either Susan Watson (stage) or Ann Margrett (screen), and she couldn't do her songs justice. I thought Reinking's choreography was a bit claustrophobic, although the kids were energetic and adorable and really evoked a sixties innocence. Strouse was about 30 when he wrote the music, which I think epitomizes the melodiousness of the best of Broadway musicals. Every number is catchy and so many remain in the canon of unforgettable theater hits. As for the book, the farcical treatment of small town America is hilarious, but I think you need to have been alive in the early sixties to appreciate it fully. Finally, if you need the best excuse to check out this version, it's Tyne Daley as Alexander's bullying mother. Having played in Birdie and Gypsy (as Mama Rose), she has established herself as the comic mother from hell, her franchise for all time. It's like she's possessed, and her performance is mesmerizing.

I found this to be a charming adaptation, very lively and full of fun. With the exception of a couple of major errors, the cast is wonderful. I have to echo some of the earlier comments -- Chynna Phillips is horribly miscast as a teenager. At 27, she's just too old (and, yes, it DOES show), and lacks the singing "chops" for Broadway-style music. Vanessa Williams is a decent-enough singer and, for a non-dancer, she's adequate. However, she is NOT Latina, and her character definitely is. She's also very STRIDENT throughout, which gets tiresome.The girls of Sweet Apple's Conrad Birdie fan club really sparkle -- with special kudos to Brigitta Dau and Chiara Zanni. I also enjoyed Tyne Daly's performance, though I'm not generally a fan of her work. Finally, the dancing Shriners are a riot, especially the dorky three in the bar.The movie is suitable for the whole family, and I highly recommend it.

We taped this when it aired on TV back in 1995 and have waited all these years for its release, for it quickly became one of our family favorites. The kids are now teens and must have seen it a ba-zillion times, yet they still watch it religiously with friends. It's timeless appeal reaches across all ages groups--similar to "Grease."Vanessa Williams is spectacular. Jason Alexander delightful and wonderfully light on his feet. I've noticed other commentators on this site are pretty rough on him, but our family gives him top ratings. (We loved his 'Giant Step' number.) Marc Kudisch (as Conrad) supplies us with comedic relief and wonderful musical numbers. And Brigitta Dau (as Ursula) just flat steals the show. Probably our favorite character in the entire movie.The one disappointment was Chynna Philip's performance of Kim. Part of that has to do with the writing. Kim's role is completely one-dimensional. Complicating that, Philip's delivery is flat, unimaginative, unbelievable and just plain awful. The director should have seen that and corrected it. Or never cast her to begin with.Overall, though, the picture is delightful and I highly recommend it for families of all ages.

I was actually in this play at my school. So here we go.ALBERT J. PETERSON-Conrad Birdie's manager and the definition of a mama's boy. His reliance on his mama has stopped the relationship between him and Rose Alvarez from growing deeper. Concocts the scheme for Conrad's "One Last Kiss"CONRAD BIRDIE-Rock star of the 50's. With a personality much like that of Elvis Presley, he has countless fans all over the USA. Conflicting reports have him born in Indochina and Virginia. He did not volunteer for the Army, but was drafted, and appealed three times.ROSE ALVAREZ- Albert J. Peterson's on-again-off-again girlfriend and secretary. The real brains behind Albert's business, Almaelou music corporation. More American than Spanish.KIM MACAFFEE-One of Conrad Birdie's countless fangirls. Recently began going steady with Hugo Peabody. She's been chosen to receive Conrad Birdie's final kiss before he goes into the Army.MR. HARRY MACAFEE-Overprotective father or Kim MacAfee. Hates Conrad Birdie and loves Ed Sullivan. Typical 50's father.MRS. DORIS MACAFEE-Wife of Harry and mother of Kim. Although she doesn't really like Conrad Birdie, she's still more open-minded about things than Harry."MAMA" MAE PETERSON-Domineering mother of Albert. Disapproves of Rose Alvarez. Albert will go any length to please his mama, and Mae manipulates his feelings to the fullest.HUGO PEABODY-Boyfriend of Kim, he's understandably intimidated when Conrad comes to town. A bit of a neurotic, he seeks constant reassurance that Kim still loves him.