Cast an eye to Bye Bye Birdie
Lights, camera, action! The annual fall production, Bye Bye Birdie, is underway! Over 60 people are collaborating on this year’s performance.
Bye Bye Birdie spotlights the life of a celebrity singer, Conrad
Birdie, whose singing career has been put on hold when he is drafted into the
war. Fans are devastated by the news, so songwriter Albert composes a song for
Conrad to sing for a special fan selected from a contest. Teenager, Kim McAfee,
is Conrad’s biggest fan and also declared the winner, but when her boyfriend
becomes jealous a love triangle forms. Who will Kim choose to be the only
superstar in her life?
Behind the stage curtain, there are many people that work to make
the play possible. “This is the smallest cast we have had in many many years,
but the cast gets close with everybody and it’s easier for the directors to
work with the smaller group,” said director Mrs. Nancy Green. Bye Bye Birdie is
a very different show than last year’s play. “It is really different from “The
Sound of Music” which was our last play,” said Green. “It’s a really fun,
light, joyful show and it’s about teen girls and their favorite idol!”
Let’s get to know some of the performers! Chris Parks plays
Randolf, Kim McAfee’s brother. This is not Chris’s first time on stage, he was
also involved in the Sound of Music. Chris says, “My favorite part about being
a part of the Bye Bye Birdie cast is all the friends I get to make!” As a member
of the cast Chris states, “I look up to Garrett Thomas, he is so confident.”
When asked why people should come to see this play he goes on to say it’s a
really fun play and we all had fun doing it.
Jocee Sevilla is another member of the Bye Bye Birdie Cast. Jocee’s role is Ursular Murkel, the best friend of Kim McAfee. This isn’t Jocee’s first rodeo when it comes to performances! She has participated in Footloose, The Sound of Music, Beauty and the Beast, and Snow White! Jocee says, “Out of all the plays, Bye Bye Birdie is my favorite because the cast is super close! I have a bunch of new friends this year!” When asked who she looks up to, she states “everybody because I am the shortest one! But Kiernan Furness has helped me through life and I love her!” We can’t wait to see Jocee’s show her spunk on the stage!
In the North Harford play community we welcome the new addition of Ms. Jestel and Abby Renzulli as our choreographers! Abby is a competitive dancer and she loves to be able ot show and teacher her moves to the cast! Ms. Jestel is one of our new teachers at North Harford and has shed her lab coat for dancing shoes!
Everyone is welcome to come enjoy Bye Bye Birdie, a play with a love triangle, crazed fans, and laughs!
