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Bye Bye Birdie revives in Reno

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SSPA NEWS RELEASE

image002Hailed as one of the most captivating musical shows of our time by theater critics, Bye Bye Birdie hits the stage Sept. 6-8 at the Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater at Bartley Ranch Regional Park in Reno. This Broadway musical is a presentation of Sierra School of Performing Arts and includes a cast of more than 40 well known local actors and a full orchestra including 22 students from Reno High School Chamber Orchestra.

Bye Bye Birdie  is a satire done with the fondest affection, and tells the story of a ’50s rock and roll singer who is about to be inducted into the army. This beloved musical theater classic includes many popular songs including “Put on a Happy Face,” “Kids,” “One Last Kiss” and “A Lot of Livin’ to Do.”

The story of Bye Bye Birdie was inspired by the popularity of singer Elvis Presley when he was drafted into the United States Army in 1957. Presley himself was the first choice for the role of Conrad Birdie in the 1963 film adaptation of the stage production, but his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, rejected the idea because the role was a parody on Presley.

Local talent Evan Wood plays the role of teen idol Conrad Birdie, whose character name is a word play on another pop singer of the era, Conway Twitty. Additional cast members include:

Albert                                                 Tony Windisch

Rosie                                                   Stephanie McMullin

Conrad                                               Evan Wood

Kim MacAfee                                      Haley Forsyth

Mr. MacAfee                                       Dan Robbins

Mrs. MacAfee                                     Ali Beltramo

Randolph MacAfee                            Michael Carter

Ursula                                                 Nicole Delbridge

Hugo                                                   Eric Gieseke

Mayor                                                 Dave Anderson

Mayor’s Wife                                     Marti Creveling

Maude                                                            Richard Haines

Mae Peterson                                                Carla Wilson

Gloria Rasputan                                Anna Scarbrough

Mrs. Merkle                                        Judy Davis Rounds

Mr. Johnson                                       Daniel Owens

Alice                                                    Lindy Forman

Deborah Sue                                      Dominique DePietro

Helen                                                  Anja Phillips

Nancy                                                 Adrianna Bravo

Margie                                                            Grace Ring

Penelope                                            Zoey Mendoza

Suzie                                                   Gabrielle Santos

Harvey                                                Marcus Rucks

Telephone Teen Boys                      Robert Simpson, Marshall Johnson, Arthur Walker, Daniel Owens, Jordan Stanfield

Teen Girls                                          Ella Pena, Maggie Froese, Emilie Pena, Macie King, Hannah Danforth, Neige Siridachanon

Kid’s Chorus                                      Alyssa Underhill, Kaytlin Hawkins, Ellie Yarbrough, Asher Hansen

 

SSPA Artistic Director Janet Lazarus will return to the role of director and is joined by Musical Director Gerry Willis, Vocal Director Gary Aldrich and Choreographer Amanda Albert. Bye Bye Birdie book by Michael Stewart, music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams and originally produced by Edward Padula.

Bye Bye Birdie is the tops in imagination and good old fashion ’50s fun and is perfect for the entire family. Shows are 7:30 Friday and Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 6-8, and 2 p.m. Saturday Sept. 7. Seating is limited. Tickets are adults – $17.00 (in advance), $20.00 (at the door). Students/seniors (65+) $15.00. Students must show ID. Tickets are available on line at www.sierraschoolofperformingarts.org or at the door. The Robert Z. Hawkins Amphitheater is located at 6000 Bartley Ranch Road at Bartley Ranch Regional Park.

Bye Bye Birdie is produced in part by grants from the Hawkins Foundation and the Bretzlaff Foundation.  SSPA is a Nevada-based 501c(3) which aims to make performing arts learning and performing available to all ages.

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