“Can one pumping pelvis, sheathed in gold lamé, crack the pious foundations of the Eisenhower era? Need God-fearing citizens lock up their daughters? More to the point, might the tribal rhythms of rock ‘n’ roll unhinge forever the clean-cut harmony of the all-American musical?” —Rock ‘n’ Roll Just Right for the Milk and Cookies Set.

(Birdie won the Tony for Best Musical in 1961 and was released as a film in 1963)