This week, Ballard High School is putting on three performances of Bye Bye Birdie, a classic American musical. The first performances are March 15 – 17, with more performances to follow next week, March 22 – 24. All performances start at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are available online or at the door.
Bye Bye Birdie is a musical comedy about a teenager in a small Midwestern town who has been chosen to receive “one last kiss” from a rock’n’roll star, Conrad Birdie, before he goes into the Army. It is the first musical created by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, and the first show directed and choreographed by Gower Champion. The show originally opened on April 14, 1960 at the Martin Beck Theater, and ran over 600 performances.
Shawn Riley, Director of Theater at Ballard High School, says the cast of 40+ features the best singing and dancing talent Ballard High School has to offer; principal players are Macklin Hamilton, Ellie Newby, Marley Niland, Gustavo Guiterrez, Olivia Sommers, and starring Jhamante Jefferson as the infamous Conrad Birdie. Bye Bye Birdie is directed by Riley, musically directed by Courtney Rowley, and conducted by Michael James. Casey Craig serves as the choreographer and Genevieve Barlow is the company’s stage manager.
The musical will be performed at the Earl Kelly Performing Arts Center at Ballard High School, 1418 NW 65th St. Parking is available in the lot north of the school building and street parking is also available in the neighborhood.
