What happens when America’s biggest teenage heartthrob is enlisted into the military and forced to give up his singing career? The answer to this question is the subject of the Covington Arts Council’s presentation of the musical comedy Bye Bye Birdie on Thursday.

Bye Bye Birdie was originally released on Broadway in the early 1960s and tells the story of Conrad Birdie, a teenage rock idol who is the envy of every teenage girl in 1950s America. The musical features several well-known songs, including “Kids,” “Put on a Happy Face” and “A Lot of Living to Do.”

“It’s a lively, exciting fun night out,” said Paula Harr, executive director of the Covington Arts Council. “There’s lots of singing and dancing. It’s full of songs that you’ll remember, and has a great story that is full of twists and turns, love and laughs.”

The show will be at the LBWCC Dixon Center in Andalusia at 7 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $15 for adults and $7 for students. They can be purchased at Ansley Place, Brooks Hardware, Harold’s Discount Furniture, Young’s Florists in Opp, or at the door Thursday evening.

Windwood Productions of New York City is producing the performance, which features a full cast and live music performed by a small orchestra. Harr said the production value of the musical is second-to-none.

“This is an excellent company that produces a first-rate performance similar to what you might see in a larger city,” she said. “If you’re a fan of live theater, you don’t have to drive 90 miles to see a good production; we are going to bring it right to you here in Andalusia.”

Bye Bye Birdie is the final performance of the 2008-09 CAC season. Harr said that at the conclusion of the show, audience members will be surveyed for their opinions on this year’s season, as well as offer suggestions about performances for future seasons.