From stage to screen and for nearly 50 years, “Bye Bye Birdie” has been an enormously popular musical. The rocking sounds of the late 1950s comes to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center this week.

Based in part on Elvis Presley’s draft into the Army, “Bye Bye Birdie” features Conrad Birdie, a rock ’n’ roll superstar whose life gets even more complicated when his manager’s (Albert Peterson) secretary, Rose Alvarez, concocts a publicity stunt. This stunt, involving an appearance on “The Ed Sullivan Show,” upends the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, and a teenager named Kim MacAfee, who won a contest to get a final kiss from Conrad before he departs, and her family.

An affectionate satire on 1950s America, “Bye Bye Birdie” includes many toe-tapping songs including “An English Teacher,” “Put on a Happy Face,” “A lot of Livin’ to Do,” “What did I Ever see in Him?” and “Spanish Rose.”

Earlier this year, director and choreographer Dan Mojica wrapped up a production of “Bye Bye Birdie,” starring James Royce Edwards as Conrad Birdie at the Moonlight Theatre in San Diego. Mojica said that he is trying to capture the era that “Bye Bye Birdie” is set in, the late 1950s, and when it first hit Broadway in 1960. While he is faithful to the original show, there is one modern twist.

“My take on Conrad Birdie this time around is sort of the ‘American Idol’ of the 1950s rather than make necessarily a stereotypical Elvis character,” Mojica said. “I haven’t upped the dates of the show but I’ve taken James and his talents and sort of molded this so people will understand that he was a pop icon, he was the idol. He was the David Cook, the David Archuleta of the times. I think that’s how I’m bringing it to today’s audience to maybe understand and have a really good time at the show.”

Edwards has numerous off-Broadway and Broadway credits but one of his biggest thrills on stage is playing the hip-shaking Conrad Birdie for its escapism and nostalgia. Edwards said he has his own take on playing Birdie.

“I didn’t want to be a caricature of Elvis Presley,” Edwards said. “I wanted to find out who the guy was behind the fa?ade, behind the American idol and kind of understand where he’s coming from, from that perspective.”

This is the third production of “Bye Bye Birdie” for Natalie Nucci who also starred with Edwards in San Diego. She plays Rose, whose search for a perfect life with Albert Nucci can relate to on a personal level.

“I think she wants it all, the picket fence and the family and the being loved and maybe there’s seeing the potential but not quite getting to it, knocking on that door and not quite getting the response,” Nucci said. “At the same time I think for herself she’s finding out who she is.”

John Bisom, who has been in numerous productions with the Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities, said at first glance “Bye Bye Birdie” could be considered a “light fluffy piece” but there are many layers to the characters, from Conrad to Albert.

“It’s a journey for my character,” Bisom said. “Albert goes on finding out who he is, a sort of coming of age, even at 33. It’s a story of him growing up because he’s very attached to his mother. He’s a little momma’s boy as you find out in the show. It’s about finding your wings and taking your first step and finding true love along the way.”

Mojica said many will be surprised by the depth of “Bye Bye Birdie” but it’s still a “dynamic” show. There are also many differences between the stage production and the 1963 film starring Dick Van Dyke, Maureen Stapleton, Janet Leigh, Paul Lynde, Bobby Rydell and Ann-Margret.

“I think people don’t know the show as well as they think they do,” Mojica said. “It’s nonstop energy and nonstop fun with a great story. It’s one big production number after another to top it all.”

“Bye Bye Birdie” also stars Lana Hartwell as Mae Peterson, Heather Lee as Mrs. MacAfee, John Martin as Mr. MacAfee, Robert Pieranunzi as Hugo Peabody and Jill Townsend as Kim MacAfee.

“Bye Bye Birdie” opens with previews Thursday, Sept. 18, and Friday, Sept. 19, with 8 p.m. shows. The gala opening takes place Saturday, Sept. 20, at 8 p.m. The regular schedule for “Bye Bye Birdie” is Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees will take place Sept. 21, 27 and 29, and Oct. 4 and 5. The show will close Sunday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit www.civiclightopera.com or call (310) 372-4477.