A big hello from Bye Bye Birdie
by Susan Stein

It was not only a night at the theatre, but a night of pure joy, of delights in song and dance, in comedy, in admiration for the exuberance of those young people, of being entertained by a cast of incredible talent.

It was the night at South Simcoe Theatre's production of Bye Bye Birdie , the musical composed by Charlie Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams, inspired by Michael Strewart's book.

The play, which had it's premiere on Broadway April 14, 1960, received the 1961 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor, Best Choreography, Best Direction of a Musical.

If I would be in the position to award such a prestigious award, I would and the audiences would agree with

me, to directors Michael Clipperton,Katie Krogman, Musical director Katie Krogman, Choreographer Mary Elizabeth Niec and special awards to Producer Susan Worthington, who with her great crew of designers Christina Luck, Kathy Simpson, technical director Steve Little (assisted by Jenny Landy), Siobhan Sleath and Shirley Crossley, made this a new high in the annuals of South Simcoe Theatre's history.

The play takes us back to the 1960's times of the "New Look" fashion, times when rock stars were all the rage and when watching the Ed Sullivan Show on TV was a weekly ritual in most households.

Conrad Birdie is an adored rock and roll star and to bring his fame and his own career as his agent to the audiences, Albert Peterson stages a publicity stunt to take place in Sweet Apple, Ohio, where Conrad Birdie will kiss a girl, to be aired on the Ed Sullivan Show. Complications arising from this project, gives the plot of Bye Bye BIrdie the scenes, the actions, the songs,which make it such a vibrant, musical experience.

Agent Peterson reveals his plan to his secretary Rose Alvarez, who loving him and hoping that one day they will be a couple, she a housewife, he a teacher, is assured by Albert, that this will be his last project.

So off they go to Sweet Apple, Ohio, where the young people are in a state of hysteria to meet their idol Conrad Birdie.

I have trouble singling out who deserves the highest accolades as actor, singer, dancer. So I start with the first scene, in which agent Albert - Stephen

Bainborough and Ann Johnston, secretary, offers the audience, the first in their stellar performance.

Stephen has put his mark as actor, singer, dancer in the S.S.T. production of Anything Goes, with Ann Johnston. His song and dance number "Put on a Happy Face" is one of the shows highlights.

Who has seen Ann Johnston as Eliza Doolittle in My Fair Lady, as Annie in Oklahoma, in Bells are Ringing, will once again be completely in awe of her high spirited performance as singer, dancer, actor and stage presence, especially in her solo number as Spanish Rose.

Kim MacAfee, the girl singled out to kiss Conrad Birdie, is played to perfection by Leann Miller. She is 15 years old, a grade 10 student at Nantyr Shores High School and took voice training for 3 years. It would not come as a surprise if she would choose acting for her career.

When it comes to comedy, no one is more qualified to be named tops in that field, as is Cheryl Atwood. As the interfering mother of Albert, she manages to steal the show with each of her shenanigans.

Conrad Birdie is a caricature of Elvis Presley. Perfectly chosen for this role is Andrew Nikkanen, who gyrates his body, sings his sons to the swooning, screaming fans, brings memories of Elvis to life. No wonder, that he is so sure in his role, as he started to sing before he could talk and brought him fame as Jamie Hall and Tara Dawn's Canadian Idol correspondent on morning segments for the B101 FM station last summer.

It would not be fair to omit the names of the actors, playing the supporting roles in the show.

So here applause to Ryan Pich - Harvey Johnson; Chelsea Lougheed - Ursula Merkle; Kim MacAfee parents - Jill Jones, Walter Stewart; their son on alternate nights Ian McNeice (grade 7 student) and Hayden Bistrow ( 11 years old student at North Tecumseth Public School) They are adorable. Kudos to Doowtta Lyrehc, Trudee Romanek as the Mayor of Sweet Apple and his wife; Robbie Woods, Kristen Alary - Alice, Amber Murphy - Deborah Sue, Mikhaela Gray - Gloria Rasputin; Greg Carruthers, Ryan Pich, Dan Tanner and Trudee Romanek - Reporters.

What makes this play such an outstanding hit is the cast of the chorus, so wonderfully in command of their singing, dancing, so energetic and each and everyone adding his/ hers talent to the group. So let me present to you : Kristen Alary, Chantel Bourget, Rachel Canalae, Greg Cerruthers, Alycia Dobson, Alexis Farell,Taylor Giovanezzo, Meg Kavanough, Kimberley Perryman, Michala Todd and the Children's Chorus of Hayden Bistow, Mattthew Durkin, Heather Johnson and Ian McNiece.

A musical without musicians would not be one and South Simcoe Theatre is proud to have the outstanding talents of Suzanne Blake - piano, Katie Krogman - keyboard, Cameron Hurd - Guitar, Bryan Swartz - bass, Jeremy Day - percussion and Amanda MacLeod - rehearsal pianist.

So, dear readers, get yourself a happy face, get yourself a night of fun, of turning back the times to those years of plays and shows, staged strictly for the purpose of entertainment, by seeing Bye Bye Birdie, presented at the South Simcoe Theatre in Cookstown on

Hamilton Str. each Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. and Sunday matinee at 2 pm. until November 26, 2006. For tickets call 705-458- 4432.