GLENSHAW, Pa.,None — The cast, crew and directors of Shaler Area High School's production of "Bye Bye Birdie" have a lot to be proud of. Among the obstacles they overcame, a week's worth of missed rehearsals because of the snow. Director Kristin Demsey says the musical is a success because of the talent and dedication from the students.
"The directing staff and I have been very lucky to have such hard working and willing students. They are willing to try new things and do whatever it takes to make their musical an experience for the audience to remember," explained Demsey.
That sort of "can do" attitude from the cast, crew and orchestra is evident in their show. Throughout the entire production you can clearly see the joy in every movement, every song and every line. The actresses and actors utilized the stage and captivate the audience by moving through the entire auditorium and interacting with audience members on a number of different occasions.
The choice of "Bye Bye Birdie" came easily to Demsey. "It is filled with lively and upbeat musical numbers that not only get the students excited, but also get the audience emotionally involved and connected to what is happening on stage."
The revolves around music executive Albert Peterson, played by Senior Kyle Yoho and Rose Alvarez, played by sophomore Nikki Davis. The two colleagues and love interests work at the music company Peterson and his mother Mae, played hilariously by senior Tess DeStafano, own together.
These lead roles are among the few in this show that require the students to play adult roles.
When they find out their only client Conrad Birdie (senior Drew Palasja) must go off to war, the company's future is in jeopardy.
As a last ditch effort to convince Albert to dissolve the company and go back to school to get his master's degree, Rose comes up with a brilliant idea to choose one girl to kiss Conrad on the Ed Sullivan Show before he heads off to war.
That lucky girl happens to be Kim MacAfee (senior Chelsea Mazzotta) from Sweet Apple, Ohio, who just so happened to recently get "pinned" to Hugo (junior Ray Alvarez).
The first of many full-cast musical numbers is in the second scene of Act 1. "Telephone Hour" takes you back to your own high school days, sitting on the phone listening to the latest gossip. This lively number starts out small and ends with the entire cast singing and dancing together with telephones clutched to their ears.
The bright colored costumes and synchronized dance movements are only a taste of the some of the exciting full cast numbers to come.
As Conrad Birdie is welcomed to Sweet Apple, hilarity ensues. Senior Drew Palajsa is brilliant in this role. Upon his first entrance, the audience bursts into laughter before he even says a word. The fanatic teenagers (who scream and sing "We Love You Conrad" over and over and over again) bring a new level of life into the show.
Upon his arrival, Conrad is invited to stay at the MacAfee home, with Kim, Mr. & Mrs. MacAfee (seniors Ricky Skertich and Liz Russo) and Randi MacAfee (junior Laura Zagorski).
His stay at the MacAfee home is something Mr. Macafee is not so pleased about. But when he finds out they are going to appear on the Ed Sullivan Show, Mr. MacAfee has a change of heart.
During the song "Hymn for a Sunday Evening," the cast really shows their musical capabilities singing beautiful harmonies leaving goose bumps on my arms.
Laced with humor and a lot of fun songs, this musical leaves nothing to be desired. From the lively music to the upbeat dancing, audience members should leave the Shaler High School Auditorium energized.
"Shaler's production of 'Bye Bye Birdie' is comedic, unique and most of all fun for not only the student's involved, but for also the audience," concluded Demsey.
Shaler Area's Production of "Bye Bye Birdie" continues this weekend Friday March 12th and Saturday March 13th at 7:00 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for reserved seating, $7 for general admission and $5 for students and senior citizens. For more ticket information call: 412-492-1200 ext. 1530.
Review written by WPXI freelancer, Shannon Peluso. She can be reached at speluso@wpxi.com
WPXI
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