The story was inspired by Elvis Presley being drafted into the United States Army in 1957. Jesse 2️⃣ Pearson plays the role of teen idol Conrad Birdie, whose character name is a word play on country singer Conway 2️⃣ Twitty, who was, at that time, a teen idol pop artist.

Bye Bye Birdie is a stage musical with music by Charles 2️⃣ Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams, based upon a book by Michael Stewart. Originally titled Let's Go Steady, Bye Bye 2️⃣ Birdie is set in 1958. The play's book was influenced when Elvis Presley was drafted into the Army in 1957.