BYE BYE BIRDIE at the Huber Opera House on July 19 & 20
The year is 1958, and the much-adored rock-and-roll idol — Conrad Birdie (played by Ryder Brown) — has been drafted into the US army. His songwriter and agent, Albert (Drake Rittenhouse), and Albert’s secretary and some-time girlfriend, Rosie (Jordys Vance), hatch a plan for a farewell performance to take place on The Ed Sullivan Show, which they hope will help sell Birdie’s new song “One Last Kiss,” and ultimately save Almaelou records from going under. To cap off the performance, Birdie will actually give ‘one last kiss’ to Kim MacAfee (Jazlyn Sheets), an avid member of the Conrad Birdie Fan Club from Sweet Apple, Ohio.
When Albert and Rosie head to Sweet Apple to prepare for Birdie’s arrival, things start to unravel. Kim’s father (Jake Evans) is starstruck at the thought of being on The Ed Sullivan Show with his daughter, and Kim’s new steady, Hugo (Brenton Wheeler) gets jealous at the thought of Kim kissing Conrad on national television.
Other characters that are entangled with the plot include: Albert’s mother, Mrs. Peterson (Dani Frame); Kim’s Mother, Mrs. McAfee (Leah Garmater); Kim’s brother, Randolph (Aiden Weber); Kim’s girlfriend, Ursula (Rachel Garmater); Harvey Johnson (Tate Herendeen); Gloria Rasputin (Katherine Green).
Accompanying them are: Maude’s Quartet (Alex Harris, Ben Harris, Jeremiah Hammon, John Marlin);
The Conrad Birdie Fan Club (Raquel Graber, Rose Lobdell, Averie Rupp, Mikailah Smith, Esther Walters, Kayla Wonderly);
Dancers: Rosa Blalock, Claire Brown, Kasey Hedge, Maddy Hedge, Clara Harris;
and the Company: McKenna Bergman, Greyson Combs, Hayley Lingenfelter, Layne Salisbury, Quintyn Smith, Lydia Trzynka, Emmy Valdez.
This production is a result of the Summer Youth Theater Academy, which serves ages 13-20. These talented teens attend only 12 days of academy along with one final week of tech and dress rehearsals. The program is directed by Julie Hall and Earlee Harris, and producer Chris Feichter, along with a host of guest presenters and adult supporters.
This musical is captivating and gives insight into the everyday life that is very much a part of us all. It is tops in imagination and frivolity. Come enjoy our local talent at the Huber for only two limited performances on Saturday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. or Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m. More information is available online at huberperahouse.org
