Conrad Birdie, played by Brody Boy, kneeling, flanked by Albert Peterson, left, played by Hunter Kerns, and Rose Alvarez, played by Haidyn Bruce, pauses during the rendition of “Normal American Boy” during Monday evening’s rehearsal of Bye Bye Birdie at Bellefontaine High School.
Bellefontaine High School’s production of Bye Bye Birdie will transport audiences this weekend to the 1950s favorite tale that features romance, a rock and roll superstar and light-hearted comedy with plenty of laughs.
Director Brice Henry said the show is brand new to the majority of the cast members and it’s his first time directing this production as well.
“It’s been fun to introduce the students to the show and they’re having a ball with it,” he said during Monday’s dress rehearsal.
“We’ve been rehearsing since December, starting with just vocals, and really picked things up in January. We have a wonderful cast and we’re excited to show the audience a really fun time and lots of great music.”
Performances take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, and Saturday, Feb. 24, at the BHS auditorium. Tickets are available at the BCS Box Office https://www.bellefontaine.k12.oh.us/bcs_box_office or call (937) 592-2620 to place a will call order.
The story begins with teen idol and rock and roll singer Conrad Birdie, played by Brody Boy, finding out that he is being drafted into the Army, leaving his New York–based songwriter Albert Peterson, played by Hunter Kerns, feeling the pinch.
However, Albert’s secretary, Rose Alvarez, played by Haidyn Bruce, comes up with a publicity stunt to have Birdie record and perform a song before he is sent overseas.
Her plan includes featuring Birdie’s song “One Last Kiss” to give one lucky girl, chosen randomly from his fan club, a real “last kiss” with the superstar on The Ed Sullivan Show before he heads to the Army.
Meanwhile, in Sweet Apple, Ohio, all the teenagers are catching up on the latest gossip about Kim MacAfee, played by Elliett Lang, and Hugo Peabody, played by Ryan Alexander, going steady.
Kim reflects on how happy she is with her maturity, believing at 16 she has fully reached adulthood and is sure to impart her newfound wisdom to her parents, Mrs. McAfee, played by Perri Neeld, and Mr. McAfee, played by Blaine Mitchell.
Because of her new milestone, she quits the Conrad Birdie fan club over the phone.
Her best friend Ursula, played by Lauren Valdez, is shocked. Kim reconsiders when, after a lengthy phone conversation with Ursula, she receives shock of a lifetime in a phone call telling her that she has been chosen to be Birdie’s last kiss on the TV show.
Fellow cast members include: Randolph MacAfee (Jake Moreland); Helen (Kadence Jones); Nancy (Ella Fultz); Alice(Genevieve Wickham); Margie(Summer Maley); Harvey Johnson (Tristyn Wilson); Deborah Sue (Avari Jacobs); Freddie(Mason Swisher); Lee (Emma Merrin); Phyllis (Jai Abhyankar); Penelope(Kyndal Newkirk); Karl (Bryson Chrisman); Suzie (Ava Kunze); “Happy Face Dancers” (Callie Shumaker and Kayla Sellars); Mrs. Mae Peterson (Lexi Buffkin); Mayor (Ollie Moreland); Mayor’s Wife(Lilly Hudson); Mrs. Merkle(Cati Snyder); Gloria Rasputin(Emily Taylor); Mr. Johnson(Bryson Chrisman); Maude(Emma Suman); Policeman(Ash Rollins); Reporters (Thessaly Reminder and Alex Priest); Traveler (Kari Reynolds-Wickline); Trainman (Tyler Bond); Conrad’s Guitar Man (Tristyn Wilson); Stage Crew for TV Show (Hailey Coe, Roche Bray, Gracie Wickham, Olivia Dearwester); Doctor (Jas Maier); Sweet Apple Shriners (Callie Shumaker, Ava Kunze, Kadence Jones, Tristyn Wilson, Bryson Chrisman, Mason Swisher); and Sweet Apple Parent (Addi Butler).
Ursula Merkle, foreground, played by Lauren Valdez, catches up with her friend, Kim MacAfee, played by Elliett Lang, on the telephone about Kim going steady with Hugo Peabody. (EXAMINER PHOTOS | Mandy Loehr)
