North High School to perform musical classic 'Bye Bye Birdie'

Morgan Scheuttle, as "Conrad," left, rehearses a scene with Joe Liolos as "Mr. MacAfee," Dana Smith as "Doris" and Lauren Alaimo as "Kim." Photos by John Rusac Purchase photos at www. BeeNews. com

by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

Students at Williamsville North High School will perform the 1950s classic "Bye Bye Birdie."

Performances will be held at 7 p.m. March 8, 9 and 10 with matinee shows at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 10 and Sunday, March 11. The production will take place in the school auditorium at 1595 Hopkins Road, Amherst.

Rock-and-roll superstar Conrad Birdie, played by senior Morgan Scheuttle, will drive the ladies crazy both on the stage and in the audience when his last publicity stunt before going off to war features one lucky girl and a magical kiss on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

Teenagers from across the nation are starstruck by the handsome Elvis-like rock star.

Meanwhile, Albert Peterson, Conrad's manager, played by junior C.J. Waggoner, is going into debt and has staked his financial future on the music icon's success.

Joelle Formato who plays "Rosie" rehearses with her on-stage love interest "Albert," portrayed by CJ Waggoner.

Albert's secretary and longtime girlfriend, Rosie, portrayed by senior Joelle Formato, is frustrated with Albert and the time and money he has spent on Conrad.

After the singer receives notice he has been drafted into the military, Albert and Rosie attempt to stage a farewell party for the man who drives teenagers wild.

Kim MacAfee, played by senior Lauren Alaimo, is chosen for the kiss to be aired on "The Ed Sullivan Show." However, her jealous boyfriend doesn't want her to kiss the star.

As the plot thickens, the audience will see a fun, family-oriented production.

"It's just us having fun," said Alaimo.

The show consists of numerous musical numbers, such as "Honestly Sincere," a song about how Conrad charms his fans. Another crowd favorite is "What Did I Ever See in Him?," when Rosie and Kim express their troubles with their love interests.

Choreographer Kristy Cavanagh said she, along with producer/vocal director Anelle Van Nortwick and pit director Joe Buckle, chose the musical because it involves a lot of people. There are nearly 130 students involved in this year's production, she said.

"It's perfect for high school," Cavanagh added. "The majority get to play a character their own age, and the others have the challenge of playing adults."

The four leads were chosen because they best fit the part, she added.

By the end of the show, the audience will certainly be chanting the famous lyrics: "We love you Conrad, oh yes we do. We love you Conrad, and we'll be true. When you're not near us, we're blue. Oh Conrad, we love you."

Tickets cost $10 and are available at the door or at Dash's Markets. For more information, call the school at 626-8500.

e-mail: JSchmelzer@beenews.com