'Bye Bye Birdie' Trip in Time

Brian Ohri as Randolph, Amy Willis as Kim, and Melissa Weber as Mrs. MacAfee rush Tony Gugenmoss as Mr. MacAfee as he attempts to carry out his morning routine.

    St. Mary's Music Department turned back time to the days of poodle skirts, ponytails, and rock-n-roll. April 16 and 17, the school performed the musical, "Bye Bye Birdie," directed by Terry Terrell.
    Dave Williamson plays the part of a flamboyant Conrad Birdie, who is an egotistical rock start just drafted into the arm. Conrad's manager, Albert Peterson, a suave mama's boy, portrayed by Brandon Straka, along with Albert's secretary, Rose Alvarez, played aptly by Molly Bauer, plot to send Conrad off to the army with a big finish and a last kiss.
    Albert and Rose randomly select one lucky fan club member, vivacious Amy Willis, and Kim MacAfee to receive Conrad Birdie's farewell kiss.
    Kim's parents, Mr. and Mrs. MacAfee, enacted masterfully by Tony Guggenmoss and Melissa Weber, encounter change in their everyday lifestyle when Conrad Birdie comes into their daughter's life.
    Kim's over protective steady, Hugo Peabody, effectively characterized by Kevin Heitz, is upset by Kim's infatuation with Conrad and schemes with Rose to ruin the kiss.
    Throughout this play, Rose and Albert discover their true feelings about each other, despite how Albert's mother, Mrs. Peterson, portrayed by Melanie Schaaf despises Rose.
    The cast of "Bye Bye Birdie" thought this play was fun, despite the long hours of work and late nights of practice which they encountered.
    In speaking to the director, Ms. Terrell, she commented, "I felt the cast and crew for 'Bye Bye Birdie' worked very hard to put together a great show. the characters pulled together and worked as a team. We had a few upsets during the show, but the hard work of the students in the cast and crew made all the difference. I'm looking forward to next year's musical and am already planning the show. Sorry, but I won't tell  what it is yet!"