06/Mar/2008
Zachary High School Theater Revives Timeless Award-Winning Musical
By Emily Faget
Put on your blue suede shoes and poodle skirts because “Bye Bye Birdie” is coming to Zachary High School. This loose adaptation of Elvis Presley’s life will run April 9-12.
The four-time Tony Award winner stars Adam King, junior, as Conrad Birdie. Birdie, a rock star hopeful with a soulful voice and slicked-back hair, is drafted into the army.
Chris Parish, senior, stars as Albert, Birdie’s wimpy agent who is determined to keep Birdie as his client. With the help of his secretary and girlfriend of eight years Rosie, played by Maggie Joyner, junior, the two lovebirds devise a wild publicity stunt.
When Birdie leaves for the army, he will stage a grand kiss with an All-American girl. The lucky young lady will be Kim MacAfee, played by Emma Graves, freshman.
As the girls of Sweet Apple, Ohio boil with jealousy (especially the gossipy Ursula Merkle, played by Amanda McGilvray, junior), Mr. and Mrs. MacAfee, played by Gary Bernard, senior, and Audrey Ducote, senior, vow to keep their 15-year old daughter under close watch. Kim’s boyfriend Hugo, played by Tyler Leiva, sophomore, also refuses to rejoice over Kim’s staged swoon.
Mischief runs wild and tempers run high in this classic musical, featuring crowd favorites like “Put on a Happy Face,” “A Lot of Livin’ To Do” and “Spanish Rose.”
For many students in the show, this is their first theater performance. “I’ve been in choir since seventh grade but this is my first time in theater. As a senior, I think it will make me well-rounded,” Bernard said.
This is also Ducote’s first musical experience. Although she’s been singing since fourth grade, this is her first time on stage. She’s excited that “Bye Bye Birdie” will be her first musical, she said.
Yet there are plenty of veterans in the show. “Broadway is my dream. This will be another experience to prepare for that,” Graves said.
Joyner also counts this as another drama experience under her belt. She has been singing, dancing and acting her entire life, Joyner said.
Jen Masterson, Zachary High School drama teacher and theater director of “Bye Bye Birdie,” welcomes the broad spectrum of experience to her show. The musical calls for a large cast which gives more students a chance to shine, she said.
This is Masterson’s sixth year at Zachary High School, although she has been teaching for 13. Since she arrived, musicals have become a yearly tradition. “There’s no other extracurricular activity like a musical. It’s overwhelming at times but as soon as the show ends, the kids come and ask, ‘What are we doing next year?’” Masterson said.
It’s easy to see why students think musicals are hard work. Although the show does not start until April, rehearsals began at the beginning of February. Students work on music first and learn choreography on the weekends.
Jason Bowers, first-year music teacher at Zachary High School, is in charge of the music for “Bye Bye Birdie.” He has added experience since he performed in “Bye Bye Birdie” during high school. “This show is just so much fun for everyone involved,” Bowers said.
It is also a show the entire audience will enjoy. “This is a real break from everyday life. You can see a lot of people go over the top and laugh about it,” Danielle Betz, senior, said.
Although the musical involves teens and parents who try to bridge the generation gap, the show appeals to an audience of all ages. Parents and kids alike will enjoy the catchy songs and upbeat dances, Joyner said.
So does 16-year-old Joyner think she is anything like her much older character? “Well, I think I’m like Rosie because she’s a leader and takes control of the situation,” Joyner said.
Graves also sees herself in the mature 15-year-old Kim. “She has those moments where she thinks she’s a woman. I’m 15 like her and I definitely think that way sometimes,” Graves said.
However not everyone sees eye to eye with their character. Gerard has trouble relating to the pushover father who can’t control his daughter. “I’m definitely cooler in a situation than Mr. MacAfee,” Gerard said.
Parish also thinks differently than the passive Albert. “Albert lives under the pressure of his mom. He’s a momma’s boy. I’ve already been there and done that,” he said.
Betz, who plays Albert’s overbearing mother, has fun playing someone so different from herself. She is excited to dye her hair gray and act like a mother who is master of
the guilt trip, she said.
Masterson hopes that a large audience will turn out for “Bye Bye Birdie.” She stresses that this will be a show for the whole community, not just the high school.
She also predicts that no one will regret the trip. “People who go will just love this show and go home singing the songs the whole way,” Masterson said.
The show will begin at 7 p.m. in the Zachary High School Theater on April 10-12. Admission is $8. There will also be matinee shows April 9-10.
By Emily Faget
Put on your blue suede shoes and poodle skirts because “Bye Bye Birdie” is coming to Zachary High School. This loose adaptation of Elvis Presley’s life will run April 9-12.The four-time Tony Award winner stars Adam King, junior, as Conrad Birdie. Birdie, a rock star hopeful with a soulful voice and slicked-back hair, is drafted into the army.
Chris Parish, senior, stars as Albert, Birdie’s wimpy agent who is determined to keep Birdie as his client. With the help of his secretary and girlfriend of eight years Rosie, played by Maggie Joyner, junior, the two lovebirds devise a wild publicity stunt.
When Birdie leaves for the army, he will stage a grand kiss with an All-American girl. The lucky young lady will be Kim MacAfee, played by Emma Graves, freshman.
As the girls of Sweet Apple, Ohio boil with jealousy (especially the gossipy Ursula Merkle, played by Amanda McGilvray, junior), Mr. and Mrs. MacAfee, played by Gary Bernard, senior, and Audrey Ducote, senior, vow to keep their 15-year old daughter under close watch. Kim’s boyfriend Hugo, played by Tyler Leiva, sophomore, also refuses to rejoice over Kim’s staged swoon.
Mischief runs wild and tempers run high in this classic musical, featuring crowd favorites like “Put on a Happy Face,” “A Lot of Livin’ To Do” and “Spanish Rose.”
For many students in the show, this is their first theater performance. “I’ve been in choir since seventh grade but this is my first time in theater. As a senior, I think it will make me well-rounded,” Bernard said.
This is also Ducote’s first musical experience. Although she’s been singing since fourth grade, this is her first time on stage. She’s excited that “Bye Bye Birdie” will be her first musical, she said.
Yet there are plenty of veterans in the show. “Broadway is my dream. This will be another experience to prepare for that,” Graves said.
Joyner also counts this as another drama experience under her belt. She has been singing, dancing and acting her entire life, Joyner said.
Jen Masterson, Zachary High School drama teacher and theater director of “Bye Bye Birdie,” welcomes the broad spectrum of experience to her show. The musical calls for a large cast which gives more students a chance to shine, she said.
This is Masterson’s sixth year at Zachary High School, although she has been teaching for 13. Since she arrived, musicals have become a yearly tradition. “There’s no other extracurricular activity like a musical. It’s overwhelming at times but as soon as the show ends, the kids come and ask, ‘What are we doing next year?’” Masterson said.
It’s easy to see why students think musicals are hard work. Although the show does not start until April, rehearsals began at the beginning of February. Students work on music first and learn choreography on the weekends.
Jason Bowers, first-year music teacher at Zachary High School, is in charge of the music for “Bye Bye Birdie.” He has added experience since he performed in “Bye Bye Birdie” during high school. “This show is just so much fun for everyone involved,” Bowers said.
It is also a show the entire audience will enjoy. “This is a real break from everyday life. You can see a lot of people go over the top and laugh about it,” Danielle Betz, senior, said. Although the musical involves teens and parents who try to bridge the generation gap, the show appeals to an audience of all ages. Parents and kids alike will enjoy the catchy songs and upbeat dances, Joyner said.
So does 16-year-old Joyner think she is anything like her much older character? “Well, I think I’m like Rosie because she’s a leader and takes control of the situation,” Joyner said.
Graves also sees herself in the mature 15-year-old Kim. “She has those moments where she thinks she’s a woman. I’m 15 like her and I definitely think that way sometimes,” Graves said.
However not everyone sees eye to eye with their character. Gerard has trouble relating to the pushover father who can’t control his daughter. “I’m definitely cooler in a situation than Mr. MacAfee,” Gerard said.
Parish also thinks differently than the passive Albert. “Albert lives under the pressure of his mom. He’s a momma’s boy. I’ve already been there and done that,” he said.
Betz, who plays Albert’s overbearing mother, has fun playing someone so different from herself. She is excited to dye her hair gray and act like a mother who is master of
the guilt trip, she said.
Masterson hopes that a large audience will turn out for “Bye Bye Birdie.” She stresses that this will be a show for the whole community, not just the high school.
She also predicts that no one will regret the trip. “People who go will just love this show and go home singing the songs the whole way,” Masterson said.
The show will begin at 7 p.m. in the Zachary High School Theater on April 10-12. Admission is $8. There will also be matinee shows April 9-10.
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