March 24, 1958, at the height of his popularity, the greatest rock star in the world - in the history of the world - was inducted into the U.S. Army as a private. His fans called the day Black Monday. The occasion was marked by "one last kiss" from a predetermined member of the Women's Army Corps. Two years later, after donating TVs to the 3rd Armored Division in Germany (and meeting his future wife and mastering a few karate moves), Sgt. Elvis Aaron Presley was back on American soil and itching to further his cinematic side career.

Before he'd even returned, producer Edward Padula, along with songwriters Lee Adams and Charles Strouse, hit on the idea of reshaping their "happy teenage musical" Let's Go Steady with the King's Army induction in mind. Together with playwright Michael Stewart, they grafted Elvis' pelvic thrusts onto then-rockabilly chart-topper Conway Twitty.

Read Christian Carvajal's full review of Bye Bye Birdie in the Music & Culture section.

BYE BYE BIRDIE, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through June 1, Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N. I St., Tacoma, $15-$25, 253.272.2281