Bye Bye Birdie
at Mount Vernon High School

Reviewed on April 28, 2018

Emma Shacochis
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Say bye bye to your troubles and hello to the fifties, where joy is in full swing! Mount Vernon High School's "Bye Bye Birdie", with a delightful cast and creative design, will make it impossible not to put on a happy face!

"Bye Bye Birdie", with book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams, and music by Charles Strouse, debuted on Broadway in 1960, winning four Tony Awards including Best Musical. The musical had a Broadway revival in 2009, toured the U.S., and was adapted into an Academy Award-nominated 1963 film starring Dick Van Dyke.

Inspired by the real-life army draft of Elvis Presley, "Bye Bye Birdie" follows songwriter Albert Peterson and his secretary girlfriend, Rose Alvarez, as they attempt to conduct a send-off for the recently enlisted, beloved rock-and-roll artist Conrad Birdie. As they plan for Conrad to give "One Last Kiss" to small town teen Kim MacAfee, every obstacle seems to spring up, from a frenzied teenage rebellion, guilting parents, and strained relationships all over town - will Albert ever be able to say bye to Birdie and hello to Rosie?

As Rosie Alvarez, Maggie McClelland shines, whether playing sharp or longing. McClelland shows depth during a longing solo waltz in "One Boy", as well as when encouraging Albert (Samuel Zarek) to marry her in "An English Teacher". However, McClelland's dry wit is a triumph to watch, particularly as she smugly boasts her Hispanic heritage to Albert's mother, Mae (Monica Cáceres Chacon), in the wonderful number "Spanish Rose".

Kim MacAfee, president of Sweet Apple's Conrad Birdie Fan Club, is played with winsome innocence by Keeley Bryant. Bryant excellently manages the humor of Kim's belief that she's entirely grown-up at fifteen in "How Lovely to Be A Woman"; her sweet, high voice soars as she professes her devotion to her boyfriend Hugo (Donovan Fisher) in "One Boy".

However, the entire town remains infatuated with Conrad Birdie (Ttendo Williams) - and it's easy to see why. Williams is excellent as Birdie, with a self-confident strut matching his arrogance. Birdie's serenade to Sweet Apple, "Honestly Sincere", is elevated by Williams' smooth voice and suave choreography.

Additional standouts include Mauro Gomez as Mr. MacAfee, a sweater-vest adorned, old-fashioned father whose energy and confidence make his frustrated number, "Kids", a hit; and Sydney Osei Tutu's Ursula, an enthusiastic Birdie fan, played with giddiness and a perfect, frequent shriek.

The chorus of teenagers, all proud members of the Conrad Birdie Fan Club, overflow with energy throughout their endless verses of "We Love You Conrad". Exuding charm as they dance through the aisles, the teens create beautiful harmonies in "The Telephone Hour", as well as when they unite in Beatlemania-esque screams at the very mention of Birdie's name.

Tania Romero Gonzalez's set design is brilliant - a trio of three-sided, revolving blocks make for incredibly efficient set changes, with backdrops of colorful sheet music, a brick-lined train station, and the MacAfee's cheerfully-hued house. The costumes (Jared Diallo, et al.), especially the pastel-tinted skirts and ascots worn by the Sweet Apple teens, match the cheerful tone of the show and are easy to dance in - an excellent addition, because nearly every scene features the company united in dance. The sublime choreography (Noah Schofield, et al.) fits seamlessly into every number, as the company marches and jives through "Put on a Happy Face" and "A Lot of Livin' To Do".

From its outstanding cast to the radiant choreography, Mount Vernon High School's ebullient production of "Bye Bye Birdie" is one honestly sincere good time!

Elizabeth Waldt
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

I, being of sound mind and body, do hereby promise to be loyal, courteous, steadfast, and true, to Conrad Birdie and the United States of America-- both indivisible, with liberty, and justice for all! Mount Vernon High School's rocking production of Bye Bye Birdie had everyone joining the Conrad Birdie Fan Club.

Written in 1958, Bye Bye Birdie was originally a contemporary piece, poking fun at the nation's obsession with the King of Rock, Elvis Presley. The musical debuted on Broadway in 1960, receiving buzz across the nation. The successful show was later turned into a film production, starring Dick Van Dyke and Janet Leigh. The Tony Award-winning musical tells the story of Conrad Birdie, rock and roll star, as he tries to give the world "One Last Kiss" before leaving for his drafted service in the Army.

Portraying Birdie's puppeteering manager, Albert Peterson, was actor Samuel Zarek, whose mature persona perfectly contrasted the gaggles of screaming teenagers. Zarek demonstrated careful chemistry with everyone on stage, formulating diverse relationships with each character. By Peterson's side was his secretary of eight years, Rose Alvarez, enthusiastically portrayed by Maggie McClelland. Rose commandeered the stage with her confident, sassy presence. McClelland revealed the raw emotion of her character as she belted through numbers such as, "An English Teacher" and "Spanish Rose." Together, Albert and Rose portrayed a tension and understanding that revealed their true feelings for each other.

As Conrad Birdie, Ttendo Williams literally brought the house down as girls and women alike fainted listening to him sing "Honestly Sincere." Williams owned the stage as he swaggered around, stealing hearts. Playing Kim MacAfee, an avid member of the Conrad Birdie Fan Club, was actress Keeley Bryant. Bryant showed off her vocal talent and range throughout the entire production, striking awe-worthy notes in songs like, "How Lovely to Be a Woman." Her innocence and awkwardness were the perfect foil to Conrad's cool persona, creating an interesting dynamic on stage.

An upbeat, dynamic ensemble made the production even more energetic and fun. Adorned with colorful skirts and saddle shoes, the Conrad Birdie Fan Club moved flawlessly together, as if they were best friends. The use of the entire auditorium integrated the audience into the performance, making the show interactive for everyone.

The technical aspects of Bye Bye Birdie perfectly complemented the performance, making for one cohesive show. Their colorful, lively set served several purposes as they rotated walls to symbolize new scenery. The sound crew, headed by Loki Willis, made sure that every scene was crisp and clear. The student-created choreography added authenticity to the numbers, as dancers broke out in period-appropriate dance moves. Organized dance breaks added an adorable element to musical numbers, incorporating the entire cast.

Bye Bye Birdie is a lovable comedy filled with music, dance, and absurdity. Mount Vernon High School's performance had the audience rocking out all night long.

Sarah Paskow
The New School of Northern Virginia
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

For a show that debuted on Broadway in 1960, Bye Bye Birdie is surprisingly relevant today. Celebrity culture, relationship issues, and a hair-brained scheme driven by selfish motivations creates the background for a lively production of this Tony Award winning show. On April 28th, thanks to the Cappies organization, I had the opportunity to see this show, colorfully presented by the cast and crew of Mt. Vernon High School.

When Conrad Birdie (Ttendo Williams), celebrity super-star, is drafted for war in 1958 his fans are heartbroken and deeply upset, but no one is more upset than Conrad's own songwriter Albert Peterson (Samuel Zarek), who is in deep debt, and relies upon Conrad as a source of income. So Albert and his secretary Rosie Alvarez (Maggie McClelland) come up with a plan to have Birdie sing to and kiss a fan randomly selected in a contest, all to be broadcasted on TV. The plan works and Kim McAfee (Keeley Bryant), a teenager from Ohio, wins the contest. But no one anticipated what her jealous boyfriend would do in retaliation.

As a musical set in the 1950s, it was very important for the show to portray their time period accurately. The crew effectively did this through their use of period appropriate sets, costumes, hair and makeup, choreography, and props. The main set was versatile and well made, and combined with well thought out blocking, the actors did a good job using not only the small stage, but the entire auditorium.

The actress Keeley Bryant (playing Kim MacAfee) had a standout performance, despite an injury that left her knee in a brace. She had great energy in the dance numbers, and showed a lot of emotion. Bryant has a beautiful singing voice, which was demonstrated many times throughout the show.

Overall the actors did a great job with their choreography, but one actress stood out to me the most. Known in the program as only "Spanish Rose" Dancer, Melanie Beltran brought her scene to life with her wonderful dancing.

In conclusion, the students of the Mount Vernon High School Theatre Arts program have proven themselves to be an ensemble of talented, hard-working, and entertaining actors, singers, and dancers. As they wave Bye Bye this production, I look forward to hearing about what theatrical challenge they will say hello to next.

Easton Boynton
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

"AHHHHHHHH! Conrad Birdie, we love you!" That was the effect that the infamous "Birdie" had over everyone he encountered, except the fathers and husbands of his fan's that is. In Mount Vernon High School's production of Bye Bye Birdie, the audience couldn't help but swoon at the fabulous performance.

Written in 1958 by Charles Strouse with music from Michael Stewart, the musical comedy was inspired by the phenomenon of Elvis Presley. Set in 1960, Conrad Birdie, the owner of every teen heart in America, is scheduled to leave for the army. His manager, Albert Peterson, needs to find one last way the performer can make a hit before he departs for the front lines. He writes the song "One last kiss" and chooses one lucky girl from The Conrad Birdie Fan Club to receive Birdie's last kiss. Kim MacAfee from Sweet Apple, Ohio is the lucky girl chosen for the event. Madness ensues when the Birdie crew arrives in Sweet Apple, "from puberty to Mussolini!" What happens then is the plot of this fun and energetic musical.

Stand out performances came from that of Samuel Zarek and Keeley Bryant. Zarek did a wonderful job of portraying the scattered, love-flustered Albert Peterson. Zarek did well to amplify his presence on stage using varying physicality and accessing his talented vocals. His performance in songs like "Put on a Happy Face" and "Baby Talk to Me?" showed off his ability and control in regards to his voice. He was able to dance and sing with ease, utilizing his perfect pitch and on point dance moves. The audience couldn't help but put on a happy face when he made an appearance on the stage. Another memorable performance was that of Keeley Bryant who played Kim MacAfee, the flowering "woman" lucky enough to receive Birdie's kiss. Bryant created a definite character with childish wit and glee that really highlighted her ability as a actress, and her voice was no exception to her plethora of talent. Her clear, crisp voice made songs like "How Lovely to be a Woman" and "One Boy" a real treat for the audience. With impressive range and flawless dancing, Bryant's performance was nothing short of fantastic.

Other performances by supporting characters such as Mauro Gomez who played Kim's father Harry and Donovan Fisher who played Kim's "steady" Hugo were some that shined through. Both of these actors had phenomenal comedic timing and powerful stage presence, the audience couldn't resist their infectious humor. Gomez had a wonderful way of maintaining his fatherly attitude while singing and dancing in songs like "Kids" and "Honestly Sincere". While Fisher did not have any major singing or dancing numbers, he still had a presence that could not be ignored. He portrayed the perfect Hugo Peabody, even in scenes where he had no lines, the audience's eyes were drawn to his hilarious acting.

The Sets and Choreography of the show were some of the technical elements that brought the show to life. The prism shape of the set pieces allowed for very versatile set that could change at the drop of a hat and made the transition between different locations in the story seamless. The creative choreography really added to the quality of the show. Songs like "Telephone Hour," performed by the phenomenal ensemble were a shining moment for the show. It got the audience bopping along to the music and really transported them into the world of the show.

Bye Bye Birdie at Mount Vernon is true delight for the whole family and it'll make you say "Conrad Birdie, we love you!"

Taylor Aragon
Potomac Senior High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

Bright lights, big screens, big dance numbers and big characters; Bye Bye Birdie is an iconic show to date. With bright colored sets and colorful personalities to match, Mount Vernon High School's performance of Bye Bye Birdie will have you screaming "We Love You, Conrad!"

Bye Bye Birdie was written in the late fifties during the golden era of Broadway. Meant to be a satirical show based on Elvis and the social status uproar he caused, the show is filled with comedic moments, hilarious jokes, and rambunctious characters. The show begins with Albert Peterson, an agent to Conrad Birdie, the title character who has been drafted into the war. Soon after, Rosie enters, who is Albert's secretary and girlfriend. Together, they come up with a plan to get as much publicity out of Conrad before he leaves for the war; selecting a random girl from a list of fans, have Conrad kiss her on television whilst performing a brand new song seemed like the perfect plan. Of course, things quickly go hilariously awry.

In this performance, everyone was alive with the youthful energy needed to pull off this show. The ensemble was by far the most engaged, lively, and energetic. Not one person was out of place and specifically the teen chorus did an excellent job remaining so perfectly in character. Each member was methodical and made obvious character choices, which in turn, made the ensemble a force to be reckoned with. Combined with the clever and adorable choreography, beautiful pictures were created.

Some stand out actors included Rosie and Albert, played by Maggie McClelland and Samuel Zarek respectively. Their stage chemistry was perfect and the moments between the two both at the very end in "Rosie" as well as Rose's anger and frustration with the oblivious ‘mama's boy' Albert were both perfect.

Vocals were also very strong in this show; Kim McAfee, played by Keely Bryant, was exceptional. Her voice was bright, clear, and youthful and she had excellent characterization with her songs. These skills were especially prominent in "How Lovely To Be A Woman."

As for technical aspects of the show, the use of their space was especially creative; the use of periaktoi for the rotating set changes as well as the use of the whole auditorium brought an engaging and intimate feel to the show that really brought the audience into Sweet Apple, Ohio. But most of all, the stunning choreography deserves a shout out. From "Telephone Hour" to "Spanish Rose," the dance numbers were thrilling to watch. A star dancer was Melanie Beltran; her dancing in Spanish Rose and Put on a Happy Face was stunning.

All in all, MVHS should be proud of their performance of Bye Bye Birdie.

Jordan Post
Teens and Theatre Company
Submitted for publication to Connection

An enthusiastic take on the famous Broadway show Bye Bye Birdie by Mount Vernon High School. Bye Bye Birdie takes place in 1958. The show is about Conrad Birdie whose story is based on Elvis Presley. When Conrad gets drafted into the military his manager, Albert Peterson, gets worried about his money. Albert decides that before Conrad leaves there needs to be a last hooray. Albert's secretary and girlfriend, Rose Alvarez, comes up with the idea of one last kiss from a fan for Conrad on the Ed Sullivan Show. The lucky girl that was chosen, Kim MacAfee, was just pinned by Hugo Peabody is a young boy in the town who easily gets jealous. When Conrad arrives to the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio his fan club is waiting for him with eager hearts. Albert and Rose do all that they can to make sure Conrad doesn't get into any trouble. Rose can't wait till all of this is over so that Albert can become an English teacher and they can get married. Sadly Albert's mother does all that she can to keep them apart. Things start to really get out of hand when Kim runs off with Conrad and the kids of the town say they're not going back home. After Conrad gets arrested and bailed out by Albert he heads off to war. Albert finally proposes to Rose. Hugo gets back together with Kim and the town goes back to the way things were.

Mount Vernon High School's cast is easy to love and full of energy. Ttendo Williams plays Conrad Birdie with swag and style. He is very believable as a rock star who just wants to have fun. His night on the town with Kim MacAfee who is played by Keeley Bryant doesn't go as planned. Kim wants to be treated as a woman. Her protective father, Harry MacAfee portrayed be Maruro Gomez, doesn't like the look of this kid. Maruro played him perfectly. He made the audience laugh uncontrollably. He has great comedic timing, is full of energy, and has a strong singing voice. A good counter character is Rose because of Maggie McClelland. We were able to see the struggling character. Maggie has a beautiful voice and deliberate moves. The school had four student choreographers who definitely did their homework on the time period. The choreography was fun, exciting and incorporated everyone in the cast. The ensemble created an electric environment for those around them. Christian Reid was part of the ensemble but really shined in the background. The set designers put a lot of time and effort into the look of the backdrop.

The show is full of singing, dancing, and love and was executed very well by Mount Vernon High School.

Jordan Elias
St. Andrew's Episcopal School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

A clash of colorful costumes and exciting voices brought from the stage of Mount Vernon High School's Production of Bye Bye Birdie. This Tony award-winning musical set in the era of the late fifties shows what happens when you mix together a small town, a celebrity, and a bunch of high school girls and boys.

Originally written in the late nineteen fifties. The first stage-screen production of Bye-Bye Birdie was released in 1964. Produced by Fred Kohlmar, and the lyrics written by Lee Adams Bye-Bye Birdie snagged five Tony Awards and eight Tony Award nominations.

Bye-Bye Birdie follows Conrad Birdie, a famous singer who has just been drafted into the army. Conrad ventures to a small town in Ohio. There he performs the musical number "One Last Kiss" to an excited fangirl, Kim McAfee who was portrayed by the energetic Keeley Bryant. Kim is just like any other fifteen-year-old girl, she aspires to be more than just a little girl. Kim is chosen randomly to be presented "One Last Kiss" from the Conrad Birdie himself! The story follows Kim's struggles, and the average life of a fangirl whose dream to meet her idol comes true.

Ttendo Williams was tasked with the challenging role of Conrad Birdie. Williams was able to bring the charm and cleverness of the one Conrad Birdie. One of the most excited fangirls, Ursula Merkle who was portrayed by Sydney Osei Tutu was engaged with the normal teenage life and was able to bring that spark to the stage. In "Telephone Hour" the teens all gossiped about one another and was able to bring to life the regular high school atmosphere. Despite the fun and rebellious teens, they had the strict adults watching over them. Mr. Harry MacAfee who was portrayed by Mauro Gomez showed the annoyance of parents and the humorous "dad jokes." Maggie McClelland portrayed the busy secretary who was always on top of things reminding Albert, Samuel Zarek to keep up and to stay on task.

The sets were very simple but allowed the cast room for everything. They were able to change the sets with agility and never missing a cue. The musical notes represented the classroom, and then when they turned around represented a typical teenage bedroom. The cast wore clothes relating to the era. They shone simply but perfectly, and despite the many costume changes they were able to allow them to shine brightly and perfectly.

Tayah Frye
Potomac Senior High School
Submitted for publication to Lorton Valley Star

The high pitched screeches of teenage girls, swirling vintage skirts, and a swagger like no other graced the stage of Mount Vernon High School. Taking audiences back to the late 1950s, Mount Vernon High School left the crowd swooning after their production of Bye Bye Birdie.

Bye Bye Birdie first hit the Broadway stage in 1960. The original story was written by Michael Stewart, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Lee Adams. Stewart's original story was inspired by the departure of famed heartthrob Elvis Presley when he was drafted to go to war. The fictional story primarily takes place in Sweet Apple, Ohio where Conrad Birdie has traveled to give one lucky fan, Kim MacAfee, one last kiss before he leaves for war. The entire charade was orchestrated by troubled lovers within the music biz, Albert Peterson and Rose Alvarez .

From a vocal standpoint, the production increasingly improved the further along the story developed. By the second act nerves had worn off and many characters brought a new energy to the stage. Rose Alverez, portrayed by Maggie McClelland, stunned audiences with her rendition of "Spanish Rose." This performance stood out amongst the rest due to the puppetry that was incorporated. While McClelland sang through a crucial character arc she was also pretending to control the dancer, Melanie Beltran, below her. Beltran's multifaceted abilities stood out through the entire production. She also brought a smile to the faces of audience members during "Put On A Happy Face" with Albert, portrayed by Samuel Zarek. Zarek and Beltran moved alongside one another seamlessly as Zarek showed off his controlled vocal skills.

Strong vocal performances were also given by Kim MacAfee, portrayed by Keeley Bryant, and her father Mr. MacAfee, portrayed by Mauro Gomez. Bryant's high vocal register played into the youthful spirit of her character while also showing audiences her range. Gomez's vocal performances stuck out due to his ability of staying within his character. His performance truly felt like dad trying to sing and dance.

The energy of the overall production was carried by the members of the various ensembles. The Teen Chorus ensemble lead by Ursula Merkle, portrayed by Sydney Osei Tutu, consistently riled up her fellow castmates. Their standout performance in "Honestly Sincere" had the audience tapping their toes and chuckling along to the teens' shenanigans. Within the Teen Chorus, standout performances were given by the male trio made up of Christian Reid, Tanner Buggein, and Eric Booker.

Technical aspects of the production immediately stuck out as well. For instance, the spinning triangular set design was an impressive way to showcase various scenes within a limited space. The research that went into this production was apparent through the costumes. Each costume piece seamlessly fit into the era being portrayed. The color schemes within the sets and costumes also blended well into each other.

Overall, Mount Vernon High School's production of Bye Bye Birdie delivered with a wide range of vocal and dance abilities while also maintaining a high energy throughout.