High school drama department to present 'Bye Bye Birdie'

The high school drama department invites the RCS community to return to a simpler time with its production of "Bye Bye Birdie," set to hit the stage on Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28, with a snow date of Sunday, Mar. 1. The curtain goes up on this musical comedy at 7:00 each evening, with doors opening at 6:30.

Tickets may be purchased in advance for $8 each, or at the door for $10 each. All student tickets cost $5. Advance tickets may be purchased from any drama club member or by contacting Kermit Wamsley at kwamsley@rcscsd.org or (518) 756-5200, ext. 5200.

"Bye Bye Birdie" is the winner of four 1961 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and features a book by Michael Stewart, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams. The story revolves around rock 'n' roll superstar Conrad Birdie (loosely based on Elvis Presley) who, to the dismay of his adoring fans, is about to be drafted into the army. Comic complications ensue when, as part of one last publicity stunt cooked up by his agent, Birdie promises to give a good-bye kiss to one luck girl from Sweet Apple, Ohio, on "The Ed Sullivan Show." The upbeat score features "How Lovely to Be a Woman," "The Telephone Hour," "Put on a Happy Face," "A Lot of Livin' to Do," and "One Last Kiss."

RCS's production stars Justin Purcell as Birdie's manager Albert and Erika Frati as Rose, Alber's long-time secretary and love interest. Nick Picarazzi is featured as rock 'n' roll crooner Conrad Birdie. Summer Broeckx-Smith will portray Kim MacAfee, the teenage girl chosen to receive Birdie's last kiss. Rachel Albano stars as Mae Peterson, Albert's overbearing, overprotective mother.

The cast of RCS's production of "Bye Bye Birdie" also features Cassidy Herman as Ursula, Mike Schacht as Mr. Harry MacAfee, Jeanette Scrum as Mrs. Doris MacAfee, Abby Cowan as Randolph MacAfee, and Eugene Posniewski as Hugo Peabody. The ensemble includes Sarah Barger, Sarah Brown, Andrew Bower, D.J. Bower, Skye Cardona, Candice Dawson, Mary Doane, Ali Doggette, Elise Flory, Nick Giordano, Miranda Hyer, Jessica Meisner, Roxanne Neumann, Jeff Picarazzi, Nikita Polyak, Kaite Seckinger, Mickayla Shear, Leah Siciliano, Maisie Snyder and Roy Swann.

Theater-goers should note that the show dates are different from those printed in the district calendar.