The El Dorado High School Drama Department will present "Bye, Bye Birdie: Young Performers Edition" April 27-29, and Hannah Davis, who heads the high school's theater program, is urging the community to come support the production.
Based on the true story of Elvis Presley's's conscription into the U.S. Army at the height of his fame, the musical follows Conrad Birdie, a rock-n-roll superstar drafted to serve whose songwriter-turned-publicist wants to find a way to give him staying power while he's out of the country.
Birdie agrees to share a televised kiss with a fan as his send-off, and from there, chaos ensues as the lucky girl and her new boyfriend navigate the wrench the kiss has thrown into their relationship, other fans work through their jealousy and the town of Sweet Apple, Ohio comes to terms with changing times.
"We wanted something lighthearted and fun, with lots of dancing," Davis said. "'Bye, Bye Birdie' is nothing but cheesy fun and it's a lot of fun to do."
The show's cast includes Timothy Alford as Conrad Birdie; Riya Nelson and Emily Henderson as Kim, the girl chosen to share a kiss with the singer; David Valero as Hugo Peabody, Kim's new boyfriend; Ryan Brewster as Albert Peterson, Birdie's songwriter; and Jael "Alex" Quiles and Meyah Hampton as Rosie, Peterson's girlfriend.
Davis said Riya and Alex will perform as Kim and Rosie, respectively, on Thursday and Saturday, and Emily and Meyah will take on the roles on Friday.
Other cast members include Tiffanie Duke as Peterson's mother; Damadja Kimble as Kim's father; Rebekah Cooley as Kim's mother; Kat DeFazio as Ursula, Kim's friend; Becca Parks as Randolph and Suzie; Michael McLeese as Sweet Apple's Mayor and Harvey; Demyah Charles as the mayor's wife; Georgia Blackmon as Gloria and DC; Mason Halstead as Mrs. Merkle; Ellis Lyles as Mr. Johnson; Melissa Cervantes as Alice; Khaylin Sanders as Deborah Sue; and Destinee Smith as Penelope.
The ensemble cast members are Destinee Smith, Maria Oliveira, Abby Nguyen, Lillie Primm, Emmy Hull, Nicole "Salem" Sullivan, Angelica Albanese and Kailey Gardner.
Davis said audiences said she thinks audiences will leave the EHS Auditorium with a smile.
"(You'll) have a fun, colorful, happy, nostalgic time. You'll leave with a smile on your face, and have one on your face most of the show," she said.
The EHS Drama Department will present "Bye, Bye Birdie" at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 27, and Friday, April 28, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 29. Tickets cost $5 for students and $10 for adults. Davis said tickets are available during all lunch shifts at EHS, and will also be sold at the door at performances.
Noting that the production is family-friendly, she urged local residents to come see the show.
"Please come support these kids," she said. "They have had so much fun and they are so proud of it, and they deserve to be! It would mean the world if you came to see them."
Timothy Alford as Conrad Birdie shows off his moves during a rehearsal for El Dorado High School's production of "Bye, Bye Birdie: Young Performers Edition," which opens this evening at the EHS Auditorium. (Courtesy of Ramya Miller/Special to the News-Times)
Timothy Alford as Conrad Birdie and Riya Nelson as Kim, a fan chosen to share a kiss with the star before he's called to serve through the draft, share a dance during a rehearsal of the El Dorado High School production of "Bye, Bye Birdie: Young Performers Edition." The show opens this evening at the EHS Auditorium. (Courtesy of Ramya Miller/Special to the News-Times)