THEATER: Bye, Bye Birdie

“Kids! What’s the matter with kids today?” If you went to see Bald Eagle Area Drama Club’s production of BYE, BYE BIRDIE this past week you may decide that not a single thing is wrong with the kids today. Any group that would work so hard to entertain the rest of us is doing just fine.

The production was extremely well done and it is going to be impossible to spotlight all of the special talents. The orchestra sounded great. I enjoyed the overtures and was delighted that at no point did they overpower the actors.

Costumes were authentic. It is fairly easy to get period formal wear, but it is almost impossible to find night gowns from fifty years ago. People have a tendency to wear them out.

Sets were inventive and set changes went as smoothly as possible. The cast deserves credit for staying in character during the changes.

The cast proved that there are no small parts in theater. Meghan Shiels as the mayor’s wife and Katie Snyder as the tap-dancing secretary stole their scenes. We hope to see more of them in future productions.

Photo courtesy of Drew Frank, Meadow Lane Photography

The show was cast perfectly, starting with Conrad Birdie himself. Benjamin Leskovansky has the voice and movements of a genuine rock star. It was clear that he and his fans were having the time of their lives. This was his first musical and I understand that he had to be convinced to try out. We are very glad that he gave in to the pressure.

Maggie Mehalko is no stranger to the Bald Eagle stage and she made a perfect Rose Alvarez. Not only did she handle the singing, but was surprisingly good in her big dance number.

Richard Spicer is also one of Bald Eagle’s veterans. His Albert Peterson was the convincing blend of Momma’s Boy and Romantic Lead. He even got away with dancing to “Put On A Happy Face”.

The difficult part of Albert’s mother was played by Dale Haagen. Her going from domineering mother to an attempt at “vamping” Birdie was charming as well as funny.

There is not room to mention how sweet Lexi Holderman was as Kim MacAfee or how grumpy Cliff Smolko was as her father. Carol Fayman was the understanding mother and Colton Lucas the kid brother. Their tribute to Ed Sullivan was a delight.

Every other person on stage deserves to be mentioned as well. I always watch the actors in the back during the big production numbers. Credit goes to each of them for staying in character while the leads did their thing. That is a hard thing to do.

Bald Eagle is very lucky to have so much support from the school as well as the parents in the district. Eric Brinser, play director and orchestra leader, and co-director Lindsey Allison deserve a big thank you. It was a good year for drama at BEAHS.

I am sorry that the high school shows are over for the year, but I understand that we will be seeing some of them at Boal Barn this summer. …..and of course, there is next year.

Pictures of the production, taken by Drew Frank of Meadow Lane Photography, can be viewed at:  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.413067975374069.114048.118844971463039&type=1