Bye Bye Birdie
at Connelly School of the Holy Child

Reviewed on February 28, 2020

Dagny Scannell
Bishop Ireton High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

What do swooning girls, the sixties, and Sweet Apple, Ohio have in common? They're all obsessed with the rock and roll heartthrob Conrad Birdie! Connelly School of the Holy Child's production of "Bye Bye Birdie" was upbeat and fun, and the audience spent the show on the edge of their seats. The cast and crew of this all-girls school showcased their talent and dedication, and the work put into this show paid off.

"Bye Bye Birdie," written by Michael Stewart and first performed in 1960, opens with Conrad Birdie's romantically involved managers, Albert Peterson and Rosie Alvarez, responding to Birdie being drafted for the war. As a publicity stunt, the two decide to randomly select a teen among thousands of American groupies and award her with a "send-off kiss" from the musical legend himself before he leaves to serve. Lucky Kim MacAfee and her increasingly jealous "steady" Hugo enter the story. The musical comedy follows these characters as they navigate their own personal romantic and familial relationships, as well as the growing tensions in their small Ohio town.

Albert (Jillian Geils) orchestrated many of the vaguely catastrophic events that happened onstage, but Geils' witty and charming portrayal kept audience members following the character's storyline intently. Albert's counterpart, Rosie (Kelsey Kley), was extremely strong onstage. Kley's presence, authentic reactions and beautiful vocals added another dimension to an already impressive production. This duo worked well together, specifically in the scene where the two took on the press during Birdie's interview (because he couldn't be trusted to respond in a way that preserved his "Healthy, Normal, American Boy" image). Another character who significantly contributed to the show was Kim (Olivia Albury). Albury's substantial vocal range wowed the audience, and she was able to accurately convey her character's feelings for both Hugo and Birdie.

Another noteworthy character was Albert's mom, Mrs. Peterson (Coco Lynch). Lynch excelled by developing her role into an overbearing, dramatic, and stubborn mother, and she used her impeccable comedic timing to get laughs throughout the show. The actress playing Mrs. Doris MacAfee (Elizabeth Lee) took the concept of a matronly figure in a completely different (but equally effective) direction. As the mother of Kim, Doris emphasized many traits of the typical suburban housewife, but Lee added a layer of comedy and believability to her performance as well. Another character who stood out was Ursula (Elizabeth Rothenberger), one of the die-hard Birdie groupies. Her attention to technique (especially in terms of diction) was very apparent, and her objectives and motives were clear every time she excitedly twirled her way onstage.

Holy Child's production included many elements that directly contributed to the atmosphere of the show. A clear example of this was the Teen Girl ensemble. This cohesive entity was engaged and expressive throughout the show, and they helped to emphasize the small-town environment of which they were a part. Technical crews also contributed to this creation of Sweet Apple in the '60s. The set and set pieces accurately represented a variety of locations, and the MacAfee house precisely reflected the average American home of that time. The lighting, especially in the scene when the teens were partying during a night out on the town, helped reinforce this fictional world.

Connelly School of the Holy Child's dedicated actresses, tech crews, and work ethic all contributed to their fun interpretation of the hit rock and roll musical Bye Bye Birdie. These talented students gave an unforgettable performance, and audience members left wanting to throw on poodle skirts of their very own.

Lily Perez
Woodrow Wilson High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Clothe ubiquitous intergenerational strife in colorful camisoles and cat-eye sunglasses, and you get "Bye Bye Birdie," a hilarious parody of Elvis Presley's Army draft in 1957 and the teenage hysteria that followed. Based in a time period recently rocked by the emergence of the prolific teen culture surrounding everything rock and roll, the Tony Award-winning musical comedy highlights the clear-eyed exuberance of kids and the well-meaning bewilderment of their parents. Connelly School of the Holy Child's production was no different, with a plethora of student-produced technical elements transporting the audience to an era of original fan girls in poodle skirts where The Ed Sullivan Show reigns supreme.

Every generation has its rock stars, their cool rebellion driving millions of fans mad - but what of the adults tasked with protecting their reputation and making a profit? Conrad Birdie may be the hottest soldier since Joan of Arc, but he's no match for Rose Alvarez, fiery secretary and mistreated girlfriend of Birdie's agent, Albert Peterson. Played with outstanding confidence and emotional range by Kelsey Kley, Rose's plight to settle down with Albert (and settle their debts through one last publicity stunt before Conrad is shipped away) drove the show from start to finish. As Albert, Jillian Geils proved a charismatic counterpart to Kley, exhibiting a strong command of her lower register in the classic number "Put on a Happy Face." Coco Lynch's spry performance as the caring (if hyperbolic) Mrs. Peterson, brought surprises at every turn, proving that the path to an idyllic life as an English teacher's wife never does run smooth.

When 15-year-old Kim MacAfee is chosen by Rosie and Albert to receive a final kiss from Conrad Birdie before he joins the army, word travels fast through Sweet Apple, Ohio, a small town where teen gossip stops phone traffic. Olivia Albury brought endearing energy to the role of recently "pinned" Kim, becoming a standout in the earnest solo "How Lovely to be a Woman" and ensemble numbers. In a spirited show of female empowerment, Kley and Albury lit up the stage in the Act Two opener "What Did I Ever See in Him?" highlighting Kley's notable belt and breath support. As the eponymous Army inductee (Jake Kreindler) and his hip-swiveling overtook the town, Kim, her best friend Ursula (a clear-voiced and hilarious Elizabeth Rothenberger) and their fellow Conrad Birdie Fan Club members trailed happily in his swaggering footsteps. Much less pleased, however, were Mr. Harry MacAfee (Joe Bucheli) and Mrs. Doris MacAfee (Elizabeth Lee, particularly memorable in the charming number "Kids"), the half of Kim's nuclear family being forced to realize the inexorably changing times.

The teenage hysteria of "Bye Bye Birdie" may have been limited to a love of heartthrob musicians, but the excitement of youth was infused in every number by the irresistible energy of the cohesive ensemble. From the ironic "A Healthy, Normal, American Boy" through endless reprises of the Conrad Birdie Fan Club song, to the lively "Telephone Hour," ensemble numbers shone thanks to clean harmonies and the dynamic moves of Jayda Fomengia and other featured dancers. Their ponying in poodle skirts was accentuated by a creative lighting scheme (Maggie Titus and Bridget Connelly) and consistent sound design (Anne Slabaugh and Caroline Timothy). The student-constructed set proved versatile in its simplicity, allowing the efficient stage crew to transition between settings as disparate as Penn Station and the MacAfee household in seconds.

Connelly School of the Holy Child's "Bye Bye Birdie" proved that nothing's the matter with kids today - and we should all join the Conrad Birdie Fan Club!

Kara Murri
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Patch (Montgomery County)

Did you hear? Conrad Birdie is going to war, Kim and Hugo are going steady, and Kim is going to be Conrad's last kiss before he's shipped off! Phones ring off the hook and hormonal hysteria takes over in Connelly School of the Holy Child's admirable production of "Bye Bye Birdie."

Written and composed by Michael Stewart, Lee Adams, and Charles Strouse, "Bye Bye Birdie" was an instant sensation after its 1960 Broadway debut. The Tony award-winning show spawned a successful film adaptation and countless revivals. Blending Golden Age and rock styles, "Bye Bye Birdie" has been cemented as a wildly popular staple of the American teenager narrative.

Poking fun at the panic after Elvis Presley's draft notice, the show follows a character named Conrad Birdie, who sparks a nationwide frenzy with the announcement of his impending military service. Desperate to save themselves from financial ruin, Birdie's songwriter Albert and Albert's secretary/girlfriend Rosie concoct a publicity ploy to travel from the Big Apple to Sweet Apple, Ohio, where Conrad will give away "One Last Kiss" to Kim MacAfee, a randomly selected fan.

With their "We love Conrad Birdie" signs at the ready, brightly-clad fangirls dominated this production. Their dizzying exuberance was infectious during numbers such as "A Healthy, Normal, American Boy," which featured various talented dancers. In their pavlovian worship of Birdie, the girls were practically drooling at his feet, visibly hysterical at moments and audibly thrilled at others, demonstrated by their ear-splitting shrieks.

Passionate and emotive, Kelsey Kley's performance as Rosie was the backbone of this production. Kley showed off a wide range of emotions, from frustration to elation—especially during the empowering numbers "What Did I Ever See In Him?" in which Kley's powerful belting technique and vocal prowess was particularly remarkable. Kley's spirited performance balanced Jillian Geils' performance as music-industry bum Albert. Geils purposefully altered her body language and vocal pitch to maintain realism as a girl playing an adult male. Together, Kley and Geils made their characters' tumultuous romance wonderfully entertaining.

Fifteen years old and ready to settle down, Kim MacAfee, a member of her local Conrad Birdie Fan Club, was played by Olivia Albury. Embodying all things lovely and light, Kim's bright-eyed attitude shone through with Albury's softer, youthful voice and wide vocal range.

Chick-chasing Conrad Birdie (Jake Kreindler) captured the voice, flippant persona, and hip-thrusting moves pioneered by the king of rock n' roll himself. A foil to Conrad's womanizing tendencies, "steady boy" Hugo (CJ O'Shea) captured the audiences' hearts with his endless devotion to Kim.

Comedic standouts included both Mr. and Mrs. MacAfee with their witty quips and exaggerated movements. Likewise, Albert's mother Mae Peterson hobbled onto the stage with a thick New York accent and a head full of air. Fainting and humming along, she left the audience chuckling all night long.

Each technical element at Connelly School aimed to embody the enthusiasm and liveliness of the late 1950s era. Purposeful minimalism and a well-defined color palette made for an aesthetically pleasing set, and despite the movement of numerous set pieces during the show, the scene transitions were fluid. The lighting, headed by Maggie Titus and Bridget Connelly, was full of color and life, most notably in the numbers "Telephone Hour," in which alternating spotlights captured the cacophony of town-wide gossip, and "Kids," which utilized a clever switch in light color whenever Mr. MacAfee cracked a one-liner.

After saying goodbye to Connelly School of the Holy Child's production of "Bye Bye Birdie," the audience left with the resolve to "Put On A Happy Face" because everyone's got "A Lot of Livin' To Do."

Emily Townsend
Flint Hill School
Submitted for publication to Maryland Theater Guide

The rock and roll cast and crew of the Connelly School of the Holy Child's theater department excited audiences with their charming and comedic performance of "Bye Bye Birdie," based on the book by Michael Stewart. The show, with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams, portrays the tale of 1960 rock-and-roll idol, Conrad Birdie, his adoring fans, and his managers, Albert Peterson, and Rosie Alvarez. Rosie arranges a publicity stunt, where Birdie will kiss one lucky fan before he must leave for the army, welcoming Kim MacAfee, her kooky family, and the whole town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, into the plot. Love triangles, family arguments, and the thrill of being on The Ed Sullivan Show present most of the comedic points in the musical, but the main emotional storyline follows Rosie and Albert's complicated relationship, as they struggle to manage Birdie, keep the town's kids out of trouble, and, most importantly, express their feelings for each other.

Kelsey Kley, who portrayed Rosie Alvarez, delivered convincing emotion through her lines, had a beautiful singing voice and connected well with her co-stars on stage. As one of the most talented singers and actresses in the production, Kley not only entertained the audience with her attitude and range of expression but also asserted her character's power over Albert (Jillian Geils). Geils depicted her character's anxious and dependent, yet endearing nature in a believable way, primarily through her natural stage presence. Furthermore, Geils and Kley had great on-stage chemistry, presenting both engaging argument scenes and touching romantic musical numbers, such as the Act II finale, "Rosie." A third standout performer was Coco Lynch, who played Mrs. Peterson, Albert's overbearing and stubborn mother. Lynch delivered some of the funniest lines in the show, in part due to her well-timed physical comedy and facial expressions.

Noteworthy aspects of tech involvement included lighting design and sets. The lighting was unique, using spotlight, shifting lights, different colors, and blackouts to adjust to the shifting moods of the scenes throughout the show. For example, during Act I's "An English Teacher," Rosie was kept in the light while Albert was out of the spot, representing Rosie's desire for independence. The sets, which included the town square, the MacAfee home, and the office of the Almaelou Music Corporation, were charming and well put-together, and the crew transitioned between the different locations seamlessly. All in all, the energy of the performance, the enthusiasm of certain actors, and the visually appealing technical side of the show contributed to a feel-good rendition of Bye Bye Birdie that left the crowd wanting to "put on a happy face."

Natalie Ingalls
Falls Church High School
Submitted for publication to The Catholic Herald

It is the year 1960, and a phenomenon similar to Beatlemania is occurring across the country. While found just in "Bye Bye Birdie," put on by the Connelly School of the Holy Child, an obsession with rock and roll star Conrad Birdie sets into motion the two-hour show as Birdie gets drafted into the war. As a publicity stunt, his managers Rosie Alvarez and Albert Peterson select a random fan to bid Birdie adieu with a goodbye kiss before he leaves. The newly pinned Kim MacAfee of Sweet Apple, Ohio, is the lucky fan chosen, and her family and the town quickly prepare for the welcoming of one of rock's biggest stars.

Inspired by Elvis Presley's draft into the army in 1957, "Bye Bye Birdie" examines the realities of the modern teenager in the 60s and the dynamics between women and men during this time. Originally produced in 1960, the musical experienced a Broadway revival in 2009, as well as a 1963 film adaptation.

Central to the show were Birdie's adoring fans, who were expressively portrayed by the ensemble of Teen Girls. It was easy to believe they were in love with Birdie as they swooned and screamed during his songs "Honestly Sincere" and "One Last Kiss." They also danced playfully across the stage in numbers such as "A Whole Lot of Livin' To Do." While some actresses had more joyous faces than others, as a whole, the group filled the stage with their excitement.

Olivia Albury, who played Kim, was impressive to listen to. She managed to capture Kim's innocence yet assuredness of herself with sweet soprano vocals in songs such as "How Lovely to Be a Woman." Well-suited to sing alongside her was Kelsey Kley, who played Rosie. In "What Did I Ever See In Him?", Rosie felt like very much the adult to Kim's teenager as they lamented about the men in their lives. With a strong vibrato and clear diction, Kelsey made Rosie one of the more compelling characters on stage.

A smattering of comedic talent was sprinkled throughout the show. One consistently funny character was Kim's father Mr. Harry MacAfee, played by Joe Bucheli. With deadpan delivery, he made the audience laugh after discovering Kim was hanging out with Conrad with the iconic line, "Get the gun." Another funny character was Albert's mother, Mrs. Peterson, played by Coco Lynch. Her New York accent was enough to make the audience chuckle as she talked at her son.

The technical elements were helpful in enhancing the realism of the show. Bathed in soft yellow light during a morning scene and a deep red when Rosie was mad, the changing colors of the cyclorama were the perfect backdrops to the impressively sized 2D MacAfee house. The transitions between the house and train station, restaurant, office and other settings were done quickly and smoothly thanks to the stage crew, composed of Claire Lynch, Madison Phillips, Kitty Wayland, and Ashley Tsozock.

With an obviously hardworking cast and crew bringing the story to life, it wasn't easy to say goodbye to the Connelly School of the Holy Child's production of "Bye Bye Birdie."