A musical comedy comes to life on St. Mary’s stage
The St. Mary’s Elementary School performance of Bye, Bye Birdie was met with delight this March.
The winter production was delayed as a result of the cold and flu season. The majority of the cast and crew came down with the flu, forcing St. Mary’s to cancel the production in February until everyone recuperated and was in top form. The play featured the student performers of St. Mary’s Elementary School. The musical comedy was set in the early 1960s featuring small-town America, teenagers and the rock and roll fad.
The scene was set as teenage heartthrob Conrad Birdie is the biggest rock and roll star of the ‘60s. But alas, he gets the word that he has been drafted into the armed services. Albert Peterson is convinced he can make his fortune and still marry his girlfriend, Rosie, if he gets Conrad on the Ed Sullivan Show to kiss a lucky high school girl goodbye, as a way of saying goodbye to all his fans. They choose all-American girl Kim McAfee for the very public farewell kiss. Of course, this doesn’t come without some concerns by Kim’s father, who is not a fan. Also, not a fan is Hugo, Kim’s high school sweetheart. Then there is Albert’s mother, who will do anything to break him up with Rosie. All in all, quite a bit for small town Sweet Apple, OH, to handle.
With two terrific shows, the middle school students of Saint Mary’s Elementary School took to the stage like ducks to water—many for the very first time making their debut in the school’s performing arts program. Under the direction of Andrew Joseph Koslosky, they acted, danced and sang beautifully. More than 25 cast and crew members showcased their talent, ability to delight and entertain the audiences, giving much reason for them along with their instructors, families and the school to be proud of their hard work in bringing the show together.
—Additional information and photos submitted by Eileen Symmons
