Revival House to go retro with ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ June 21

Retro Roadmap will take a detour to the Milton Theatre Thursday, June 21, for the Revival House screening of “Bye Bye Birdie,” hosted by Mod Betty and featuring live music from Cliff Hillis.

For nearly a decade, Mod Betty has been hopscotching across the country to celebrate authentic vintage places that have stood the test of time and their charm. From duckpin bowling in Baltimore to taffy pulling at The Goldenrod in York Beach, Maine, Betty has been towing her Retro Roadcamper across the United States to celebrate long-lasting landmarks and support those who have helped keep the memories alive through the years. She will host a screening of the beloved 1963 classic musical film “Bye Bye Birdie” as part of the Revival House at the Milton Theatre Thursday, June 21.

Musician Cliff Hillis will take the stage at 6 p.m. to perform songs from his expansive musical career, including some from his latest EP “Many Happy Returns,” released through San Francisco’s TallBoy Records. Starting on local stages around the Delaware beaches, Hillis has toured with countless national acts. He has written, produced and performed a number of solo releases, including “Better Living Through Compression,” “The Long Now,” “Dream Good,” and the EPs “Song Machine,” “Love Not War” and “Many Happy Returns.”

Mod Betty will take audiences back to 1963 with a screening of the musical comedy “Bye Bye Birdie.” Starring Ann-Margret and Dick Van Dyke, the musical follows Conrad Birdie (played by Jesse Pearson), a popular rock-’n’-roller who is drafted into the Army. Before Conrad deploys, a struggling songwriter (played by Dick Van Dyke) schemes to get the musician to perform a song he has written to help rocket him to stardom as well.

Loaded with popular songs (the title song, “The Telephone Hour,” “Put on a Happy Face”), and bursting with color, the film was credited as the breakout vehicle for a young Ann-Margret and led the actress to star alongside Elvis Presley (on which the film was based) in the following year’s “Viva Las Vegas.”

Tickets are $10, or $5 for students and seniors. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with a performance by Hillis, as well as a number of local brews, snacks and specialty drinks available. The film will begin at 7 p.m.

For more information on the screening or to order tickets in advance, go to www.revivalhousetheater.com and www.miltontheatre.com.