Arts & Entertainment

Cast Set for Village Players Spring Production of 'Bye Bye Birdie'

Director April Golombek announces her cast for the family friendly production of "Bye Bye Birdie." Forty-eight community theater thespians have been cast for parts in the musical loosely tied to the 1957 draft of Elvis Presley.

Forty-eight thespians have been cast to perform this spring in the Village Players production of "Bye Bye Birdie" at the James McCabe Theater in Valrico.

Thom Miller said he doesn't know much about the musical but he did know this, that somebody would have to play the role of Ed Sullivan, who in real life hosted "The Ed Sullivan Show," which ran from 1948 to 1971.

Cast as the Mayor, Miller nevertheless asked: "Is anybody playing Ed Sullivan?" The answer, "Well, no, he only has a line or two, but you can have both if you want," Miller recounted. "I said, 'Sold!' I like opportunities to do impressions."

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And then, representing Sullivan's accent, which made "show" sound like the thing you put on your foot, Miller added: "It's going to  be 'a really big shoe!' "

Ninth-grader Abby Bailey is counting on it, cast as Kim MacAfee, the lucky teenager selected from among high school students nationwide vying to send Conrad Birdie off to the draft with "one last kiss," televised on The Ed Sullivan Show.

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Her selection throws her family and her town into an upheaval, as well the life of mild-mannered songwriter Albert Peterson, who pens the tune to go along with the kiss that will send Conrad off to boot camp, reminiscent of Elvis Presley, who was drafted into the Army in 1957.

"I don't think it hit me until I had seen the movie that Kim MacAfee is most definitely one of my dream roles," said Bailey, who plays the role made memorable by Ann-Margaret in the 1963 movie starring also Dick Van Dyke,  Janet Leigh, Maureen Stapleton, Bobby Rydell and Paul Lynde.

"I want to play Kim because I think she and I are a lot alike in some ways We are both eager to grow up," Bailey said. "I feel totally honored to get to portray this role in the Village Players presentation of 'Bye Bye Birdie.' I am out- of my-mind excited for this show!"

Bringing out his "hidden Elvis" is James Faurote, cast as the heart-swooner Conrad Birdie.

"It is a different role for me but that's all the fun," said Faurote, a veteran community theater actor and director. "Why would you want to play the same character over and over again? It's just another chance to grow in my acting and I wanted to do this show as soon as I knew April was directing it."

Golombek "is an amazing director and I jumped at the chance to work with her  again," Faurote added. "So now I've got to learn to move my hips and work my sex appeal. Should be interesting."

Matt Mello is cast as Albert Peterson, the songwriter who rises from obscurity by penning Birdie's "One Last Kiss."

"I'm not too familiar with the show and most of the shows I'm in I know all the music (up front)," he said. "So I thought this was a great chance for me to step out of the box a little bit and do a show I'm not familiar with."

While the memorable "Bye Bye Birdie," sung by Ann-Margaret in the movie's opening footage, is not in the musical, other memorable tunes are, such as: "Put On A Happy Face," "Kids," "A Lot of Livin' To Do" and "The Telephone Hour." 

“I love the show, I loved the movie growing up," said Courtney Kyle, assistant director for the Village Players production. "Really, you can't help 
 but put a smile on your face and, in today’s times, that’s a great thing.”

Show dates for "Bye Bye Birdie" are May 13-14, 20-22 and 28-29. Friday and Saturday shows are at 8 p.m.; Sunday shows are at 5 p.m.

 

THE CAST

  • Albert Peterson: Matt Mello
  • Rosie Alvarez: Melanie Bierweiler
  • Conrad Birdie: James Faurote
  • Kim MacAfee: Abby Bailey
  • Mr. Harry MacAfee: Joe Osborn
  • Mrs. Doris MacAfee: Ramona Horrocks
  • Randolph MacAfee: Arie Fry
  • Mrs. Mae Peterson: Joella Abbott
  • Gloria Rasputin: Yvelisse Cedrez
  • Hugo Peabody: Julian Kazenas
  • Ursula Merkle: Sky Ray
  • Mayor:Thom Miller
  • Mayor’s Wife: Stephanie Oberlander
  • Mr. Johnson: Randy Magruder
  • Mrs. Merkle: Tracey McPherson
  • Maude: Maurice Cecchini
  • Parent: Sarah Pease
  • Parent: Carmen Lusignan
  • Alice: Danielle Goyco
  • Margie: Onzhaneigh McFarland
  • Helen: Sarah Smith
  • Nancy: Monique Ransome
  • Penelope: Kaitlyn Alfano
  • Suzie: Jessica Jacobs
  • Phyllis: Katie Stacy
  • Ethel: Melissa Weiland
  • Freddie: Cameron Kubly
  • Karl: Graham Stacy
  • Lee: Michael Stacy
  • Roger: Trey Belisario
  • Conrad Birdie's Guitar Man: Kevin O'Hara

Sweet Valley Teenagers:

  • Harvey Johnson
  • Ty Humphrey
  • Deborah Sue
  • Hannah Saint Ann Justin

Reporters:

  •  Tristen Hayes
  • Stephen Johnston
  • Brian Trim
  • Jacob Sall

New York Teenagers:

  • Hillary Lusignan
  • Rachel Booth
  • Daniela Delvescovo
  • Jenna Rydl
  • Jennifer Landau

Happy Face Dancers:

  • Chloe Conaghan
  • Kelly Coultas
  • Sarah Smith

Sweet Apple Children:

  • Andy Stacy
  • Barie Stemnock


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