Students to stage ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ in December
With a new director at the helm of Catholic Central High School’s upcoming musical “Bye Bye Birdie,” Principal Eric Henderson is expecting a top-notch production.
“Last year, when I was looking to hire someone to resurrect our music department, I was not sure what options I was going to find,” Henderson said. “Catholic Central hit the jackpot when we hired Zachary Ziegler.”
This year’s production of the four-time Tony Award winning “Bye Bye Birdie” opens Dec. 7 for a six-show run. Henderson expects Ziegler to put his artistic stamp on the show.
“Zachary’s dynamic personality, passion for performing arts, and commitment to excellence are unmatched,” Henderson added. “…He has lit a spark in an under-tapped curriculum area for Catholic Central.”
Ziegler is assisted by dance choreographer Lakeisha Hurd of Rhemandance Company.
Set in the early 1960s, the musical comedy tells the story of Conrad Birdie (played by Zach Mehring), an Elvis Presley type, who is called up to serve his country in the Army. Birdie’s agent, and mama’s boy, Albert Peterson (Andrew Sember), who dabbles in songwriting, would remain unsuccessful without his ever-faithful secretary, Rose Alvarez (Mackenzie Ebbers), by his side.
When Rose concocts a plan to bring some final publicity to Birdie, the nation’s teenage girls are in a frenzy to meet and kiss Conrad, including Kim McAfee (Xiaochaun Amanda Ma), whose parents, Harry and Doris (Adam Schuster and Beth Zampino) and boyfriend Hugo (Calvin Kempken) are overwhelmed by the insanity of the whole contest.
Songs include “The Telephone Hour,” “How Lovely To Be a Woman,” “An English Teacher,” “Got a Lot of Livin,’” “Spanish Rose” and “Kids,” among others.
Performances are Dec. 7 and 8 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 9 at 2 p.m., Dec. 13 at 6:30 p.m. with a discount for seniors and students, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. All tickets are $12.50.
An hors d’oeuvres theater package is available on Dec. 8 at 5:30 p.m. for $30, which includes a ticket to the show.
Tickets go on sale Nov. 28 at the CCHS box office at 148 McHenry Street from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. The box office will be open on Nov. 29, Dec. 3, 4, 5 and 6 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Tickets may also be purchased by email at [email protected] from Dec. 3-6.
Catholic Central High School
‘Bye Bye Birdie’
Cast list:
Andrew Sember, Mackenzie Ebbers, Zach Mehring, Xiaochaun Amanda Ma, Adam Schuster, Beth Zampino, Calvin Kempken, Kelly Hoffman, Joe Homan, Hanna Hafer, Mariah Hanrahan, Hee-Eun Her, Amy Hughes, Tori Kempken, Patty Kempken, Nicole Krause, Jana Krien, Kelly Murphy, Hayden Nichols, Elizabeth Paur, Monica Regner, Luke Schultz, Josh Schultz, Greg Sember, Ye-eun Shin, Kathleen Straube and Bridgette Wright.
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