‘Bye Bye Birdie’ kicks off Warren Players 96th year Thursday at Struthers
Photo by Warren Players Rehearsals are wrapping up and Bye Bye Birdie will have its opening night on Thursday at Struthers Library Theatre. Pictured from Left: Madelynn Leichtenberger, Gabrielle Bigelow, Haley Demko, Emalee Fuhrman, Kensey Kophazy, Ryder Check, Natalie Baxter and Adam McChesney.
Photo by Jessica N. Rex The cast of Bye Bye Birdie paraded around town during Warren’s Fall Festival to promote the show.
Photo by Warren Players Rehearsals are wrapping up and Bye Bye Birdie will have its opening night on Thursday at Struthers Library Theatre. Pictured from Left: Madelynn Leichtenberger, Gabrielle Bigelow, Haley Demko, Emalee Fuhrman, Kensey Kophazy, Ryder Check, Natalie Baxter and Adam McChesney.
Photo by Jessica N. Rex The cast of Bye Bye Birdie paraded around town during Warren’s Fall Festival to promote the show.
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The comedic and lively musical about celebrity, young love, changing times, and the 1950s rock-and-roll era, "Bye Bye Birdie" will be performed at the Struthers Library Theatre beginning Thursday.
The nation's teens go wild when rock idol Conrad Birdie is called up for Army service, sending shockwaves through his fanbase. Sensing an opportunity for one last headline-making stunt, the rock and roll heartthrob's manager and secretary, come up with the bold idea of holding a live TV goodbye featuring a lucky fan chosen to receive Birdie's final kiss before he marches off to serve his country.
Warren Players will open its 96th season of community theater with the widely regarded musical as one of the first Broadway musicals to tackle the rock‑and‑roll culture; it has remained popular with schools and community theatres because of its large cast, energetic numbers, and family‑friendly humor.
Taking the Struthers Library Theatre stage from November 5 through 8, Bye Bye Birdie features beloved songs like “Put on a Happy Face,” “A Lot of Livin’ to Do,” and “Kids,” the musical is a nostalgic, high-energy romp through 1950s Americana.
Local talent includes the following actors with their roles: Albert Peterson – Michael Stenberg, Rosie Alvarez – Abby Waterman, Conrad Birdie – Colin Drayer, Mrs. Mae Peterson – Colette Bonavita, Kim MacAfee – Lily Fickenworth, Randolph MacAfee – Caleb Hellman, Mrs. Doris MacAfee – Jessica Long, Mr. Harry MacAfee – Troy Dinga, Hugo Peabody – Liam Baldensperger, Ursula Merkle – Laetynn Hoffman, Gary Merkle – Corbin Bartel, Mrs. Merkle – Dannielle Fickenworth, Gloria Rasputin – Hannah Augustein, Mayor – Ethan Pierson, Mayor's Wife – Mayan Cook, Maude – Quinn Dellamedaglia, Alice/Sad Girl – Annabelle Martin, Margie – Katie Upton, Helen – Madalynn Leichtenberger, Nancy – Gabrielle Bigelow, Suzie – Adi Cullers, Deborah Sue – Gracelynn Rockwell, Penelope – Madison Tidrick and Harvey – Adam McChesney.
Included in the teen chorus are: Laetynn Hoffman, Annabelle Martin, Katie Upton, Madalynn Leichtenberger, Gabrielle Bigelow, Adi Cullers, Gracelynn Rockwell, Madison Tidrick, Sorren Check, Ryder Check, Adam McChesney, Gabrielle Davis, Natalie Baxter, Haley Demko, Kensey Kophazy, Joseph Blasco, Aiyanna Nowacki, Emalee Fuhrman, Emma Kisselbach, Rory McBriar, Adalyn Martin and Laynah Rowland.
The adult chorus members include Karin Davidson, Abigail Wilson, Sarah Parmeter, Quinn Dellamedaglia, Mayan Cook, Ethan Pierson, Hannah Augustein, Dannielle Fickenworth, and Jeff Washburn.
Directed by Adam Owens with vocal director Rob Pearce, assistant vocal director Colin Drayer and orchestra director Marcia White.
Performances are at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 5 through 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, November 8. Tickets are $22 for Adults, $18 for Seniors, and $16 for Students (ticket prices include a processing fee). Children ages 5 and under are free. Purchase online at strutherslibrarytheatre.org, or by calling (814) 723-7231. Tickets are also sold one hour prior to showtime at the box office.