Over 50: Joella Abbott Shines With Cast in Village Players Preview of ‘Bye Bye Birdie’

Joella Abbott is no stranger to the theater, having raised two boys who even today, as grown men, love to perform on the community theater stage.

And now, in the upcoming Village Players production of “Bye Bye Birdie,” it’s mamma’s turn to shine on stage as Mrs. Mae Peterson, the mother of Albert Peterson, played by Matt Mello.

“I’ve done about eight to 10 shows,” Abbott said. “I first got involved when we moved here from north Florida and my kids started doing plays. I thought, ‘I can do that, I want to do that!’ ”

And so a star is born.

Abbott’s sons, Derek and Terry, perform frequently on stage and have served in leadership capacities for the Village Players.

Terry Abbott pens his own shows and compositions. Indeed, Stagedoor Performing Arts on April 22-23 wraps up the final two shows of “,” the Peter Pan story, written and composed by Terry Abbott, who first staged the shows with the Village Players in 2007.

As a director, Terry Abbott works with his cast members to determine what makes their characters tick.

Joella Abbott, in “,” has her character pegged.

“I am such a mamma,” Abbott said. “I’m the mamma who’s spoiled her son rotten. He’s the light of my life and I don’t want this girl [Rosie Alvarez, played by Melanie Bierweiler] coming and flirting with him and taking any of his attention away from me. Oh no, I can’t have that! So I have to destroy her!”

The show features 48 cast members, including ninth-grader Abby Bailey, 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.

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 love it,” Joe Osborn said about the show and his role as Kim’s father, Harry MacAfee of Sweet Apple, Ohio. “He’s just a dad who’s frustrated with his daughter coming of age and kids being kids. It’s just a fun part, and a fun show."

Show dates for “Bye Bye Birdie,” directed by April Golombek, 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 James McCabe Theater is at 506 Fifth Street in Valrico.

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: 
• 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