March 24, 1958, at the height of his popularity, the greatest rock star in the world - in the history of the world - was inducted into the U.S. Army as a private. His fans called the day Black Monday. The occasion was marked by "one last kiss" from a predetermined member of the Women's Army Corps. Two years later, after donating TVs to the 3rd Armored Division in Germany (and meeting his future wife and mastering a few karate moves), Sgt. Elvis Aaron Presley was back on American soil and itching to further his cinematic side career.

Before he'd even returned, producer Edward Padula, along with songwriters Lee Adams and Charles Strouse, hit on the idea of reshaping their "happy teenage musical" Let's Go Steady with the King's Army induction in mind. Together with playwright Michael Stewart, they grafted Elvis' pelvic thrusts onto then-rockabilly chart-topper Conway Twitty. In their version, "Conrad Birdie" arrives in wholesome Sweet Apple, Ohio to plant one on his number-one fan, 15-year-old Kim MacAfee, as a publicity stunt before leaving for an overseas tour of duty. In Tacoma Little Theatre's production, Kim is played by triple threat Melissa Maricich. I was surprised to learn Maricich is older than Ann-Margret was when she broke out in the 1963 movie version. It'd be stretching things to claim she possesses as much bombshell star quality as Ann-Margret, but who does? Maricich is, however, a far more credible small-town adolescent, and she sings pretty darn well, too. This could be her breakout role in Tacoma.

Competing for Kim's attention is classmate Hugo Peabody, a role filled here by Steven Wells, fresh from the Baker in St. Martin's production of Into the Woods. He's fine here as well, but that previous role gave him more to do. This show's Conrad, DuWayne Andrews, Jr., moves well and has a way with Birdie's comic dismay and befuddlement. Shelleigh Ferguson, so enjoyable in Lakewood Playhouse's Pride and Prejudice, makes a vivid impression as Gloria Rasputin by cranking into an awkward split. I also thought Steve Barnett was a fit for Albert Peterson, the rock agent and songwriter who just wants to be a high school English teacher. As Kim's father, Jeffery Weaver performs in much the same style as '70s sitcom and game show regular Paul Lynde, who played Mr. MacAfee in the movie.

The cast, a lot of it green, fills an entire page of the program. Director Chris Serface does yeoman's work moving newbies around and eliciting plausible adolescent enthusiasm. He and choreographer Elizabeth Richmond Posluns even deploy some fancy footwork and an amusing "Shriner's Ballet." You've known at least three of these songs since early childhood, and the show clanks through its gears almost exactly as you'd expect. As critics and social commentators Radiohead once requested, "No alarms and no surprises."

BYE BYE BIRDIE, 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, through June 1, Tacoma Little Theatre, 210 N. I St., Tacoma, $15-$25, 253.272.2281