What: Appleton West High School presents “Bye Bye Birdie”
When: 7:03 p.m. April 23, 24 and 25; and 2:03 p.m. April 26
Where: Appleton West High School Theatre, 610 N. Badger Ave.
Admission: $15 general admission $5 for seniors and students. Purchase tickets one hour prior to each show.
Background: “Bye Bye Birdie” is a musical comedy inspired by the real-life phenomenon of Elvis Presley’s drafting into the U.S. Army in 1957, where fans were left heartbroken. In 1958, popular rock and roll superstar Conrad Birdie receives an Army draft notice, devastating his teenage fans nationwide. But none as much as the unsuccessful songwriter Albert Peterson. Rosie DeLeon schemes to have Conrad sing a song Albert will write on the most popular show, The Ed Sullivan Show and then kiss a randomly chosen high school girl goodbye before joining the Army.
What they’re saying: “Being part of rehearsal means getting to hang out my friends every day,” said Izzy La Chapelle, 18, playing the role Kim MacAfee. “I get to sing and dance and fun. People should come see ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ because it is such a fun show and the audience gets immersed in it.”
Take-home message: “‘Bye Bye Birdie’ is a satirical look at the intersection of celebrity obsession, generational gaps, and the evolution of American culture in the 1950s” said director Rebecca Whittle. “Seems like every generation looks at the younger kids and says ‘What’s wrong with these kids today?’”
Provided by Rebecca Whittle
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton West to present musical comedy ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ April 23-26
Reporting by Appleton Post-Crescent / Appleton Post-Crescent
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