There’s nothing like a feel-good musical to keep feet tapping and audiences humming along.
And that’s just the reaction the Greenport High School Drama Club’s first performance of “Bye Bye Birdie” elicited Friday night.
The Greenport High School Drama Club’s spring show, “Bye, Bye Birdie,” has performances still remaining on Saturday and Sunday.
The show, a 1960 Broadway musical with a book by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams, and music by Charles Strouse, was immortalized in film in 1963 and depicts a young heartthrob, modeled after Elvis, who has young girls swooning as he heads overseas to serve in the Army.
From start to finish, the show is a frothy delight, calling up a time of innocence and fresh-faced optimism, when young girls screamed at the sight of Elvis and young love prevailed over all.
Watching the performers pour energy and spirit into popular numbers such as “Put On A Happy Face,” “Kids,” “The Telephone Hour,” “One Last Kiss,” and “Honestly Sincere”, it’s easy to be transported back to a simpler time, the age of the grand Broadway musical, where magnificent overtures soared and performances lifted spirits.
The cast is studded with gifted young stars, beginning with a stand-out performance by Dory Lieblein as Rose Alvarez, the feisty young woman whose vocals are beyond compare and whose heart belongs, forever, to her man.
John Drinkwater, as Albert Peterson, and Matt Drinkwater, as Conrad Birdie, have made their mark on the Greenport stage, and these two talented performers are destined to go far. Both performances were Teeny-worthy, and Matt Drinkwater’s comic performance as a character modeled after Elvis’s hair-obsessed, sulty voiced performances was a hilarious star turn not to miss.
The entire cast was top-notch, with other performances of note including Liz Powe as the beleagured Mrs. Mae Peterson, bringing to life the nagging mother of every young man’s nightmares.
Nellie Spackman as Kim MacAfee has a pure voice that brings her ballads to new heights, and imbues her character with wide-eyed innocence and later, a newly born backbone, with impressive acting chops.
The entire cast and ensemble shines, under Robert Horn’s masterful direction and producer Diane Peterson’s guidance. Musical direction by Karen Haley brings Broadway classics to the stage with energy and joyful spirit. And student choreographer Dory Lieblein is to be commended for high energy dance numbers.
For a night that’ll make you yearn for the days of Elvis, screaming fans, Mom and apple pie innocence, don’t miss this show. You’re guaranteed to leave the auditorium humming the show’s tunes.
Remaining showtimes are Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. An optional lunch and show will be offered on Sunday, beginning at noon in board room #101. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $7 for students and senior citizens. Tickets for the combined lunch and Sunday matinee cost $20 for adults and $15 for students and senior citizens.
Ticket are on sale in school’s main office, through the high school office, with cast members, and at the door. To reserve seats, email peterson@gufsd.org.
