Think James Dean Meets Elvis Presley. Think bad boy merges with heartthrob. Think wild teenage girls mooning and moaning over singing sensation with swivel hips and sassy lips aplenty. Come meet Conrad Birdie, the star of the smash musical “Bye Bye Birdie” flying high at Seven Angels Theatre in Waterbury until Sunday, August 4 by a spirited Summer Community Theatre troupe, with dozens from ages seven to seventy.
Sweet Apple, Ohio and its residents will never be the same again after it is announced that Conrad Birdie will go there to plant a big kiss on Kim MacAfee, the president of one of his biggest fan clubs, as a farewell gesture before he goes into the army. This prominent press publicity stunt is the brainchild of Conrad’s manager’s secretary Rosie and getting it televised on the Ed Sullivan Show nationwide is a five-star bonus.
With a book by Michael Stewart, music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams, “Bye Bye Birdie” is a “happy face” happening from the first party-line telephone hello to the last railroad station goodbye. Ben Dressel is great as the man of the hour, about to enter the military, trying to be brave and obedient as he follows the letter of the law set down by his manager Albert, an overwhelmed mama’s boy masterfully portrayed by Jimmy Donohue, who also co-directs this fun fest with Marcia Maslo.
Albert only wants the best for the boy, but he is being pulled in different directions by his domineering mother, a tenacious pit bull captured hysterically by Michelle Gotay, one who is dedicated to her son’s well-being and to her aging fur coat. On the other side of the rope pull is Rosie, the faithful, loving and versatile Whitney Rogers, who wants Albert to abandon show biz, marry her and become the English teacher he was meant to be.
Beyond the orange blossom bouquet is sweetheart Tori Sperry’s Kim, thrilled to be the lucky girl chosen to receive Conrad’s kiss but conflicted because she has just been pinned by boyfriend Hugo, a not-so-willing-to-share Matthew Brough. Kim’s parents, Jonathan Ross as a perplexed dad, a supportive Veronica Gelormino as a helpful mom and a great little kid brother Randolph, Ella Perrotti, all add to the comic chaos.
Grand songs pop up, like “The Telephone Hour,” “One Last Kiss,” “Put on a Happy Face," “Kids,” “A Mother Doesn’t Matter Any More” and “Spanish Rose,” keeping the action merry and dizzying at the same time, as everyone tries to get their heart’s desire. You can’t help but smile and cheer them all along, especially with swell choreography by Brittany Mulcahy and animated music direction by John R. “Rusty" Koenig.
For tickets ($32), call Seven Angels Theatre, 1 Plank Road, Waterbury at 203-757-4676 or online at boxofficesevenangelstheatre.org. Performances are Friday at 7:30 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. with specialty nights with treats like Fascia’s Chocolates and Angelina’s Apizza and more.
It’s the 1960’s and young girls are going crazy for Conrad Birdie who is well worthy of their admiration and adoration. Watch out and you’ll find yourself in his fan club in no time at all.
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