“BYE BYE BIRDIE” Coming to Huber Opera House July 19-20
Stan Harmon, after dedicating 21 years to the Paulding County Board of Education, is retiring. AJ Nowaczyk, the Northwest Regional State Liaison, honored Stan with a commendation from Secretary of State Frank LaRose, recognizing his long and commendable service. This retirement marks the end of an era for Stan, who has undoubtedly made a significant impact on the community and the education sector.
The year is 1958, and the iconic rock-and-roll heartthrob, Conrad Birdie, portrayed by Ryder Brown, receives the disappointing news of being drafted into the US army. In a bid to save Almaelou records from collapsing, his songwriter and agent, Albert (Drake Rittenhouse), and Albert’s secretary and on-and-off girlfriend, Rosie (Jordys Vance), devise a plan for a final performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. This performance aims to promote Birdie’s latest hit, “One Last Kiss,” with the added spectacle of Birdie bestowing a final kiss on Kim MacAfee (Jazlyn Sheets), an enthusiastic member of the Conrad Birdie Fan Club from Sweet Apple, Ohio.
As Albert and Rosie journey to Sweet Apple to organize Birdie’s appearance, complications arise. Kim’s father (Jake Evans) excitedly anticipates sharing screen time with his daughter on The Ed Sullivan Show, while Kim’s current beau, Hugo (Brenton Wheeler), becomes envious of the prospect of Kim kissing Conrad publicly. The narrative is further enriched by characters like Albert’s mother, Mrs. Peterson (Dani Frame); Kim’s mother, Mrs. McAfee (Leah Garmater); Kim’s brother, Randolph (Aiden Weber); Kim’s friend, Ursula (Rachel Garmater); Harvey Johnson (Tate Herendeen); and Gloria Rasputin (Katherine Green).
Ensemble members include Maude’s Quartet (Alex Harris, Ben Harris, Jeremiah Hammon, John Marlin); The Conrad Birdie Fan Club (Raquel Graber, Rose Lobdell, Averie Rupp, Mikailah Smith, Esther Walters, Kayla Wonderly); and a group of dancers (Rosa Blalock, Claire Brown, Kasey Hedge, Maddy Hedge, Clara Harris). The Summer Youth Theater Academy, catering to ages 13-20, nurtures these talented individuals through a brief academy session followed by a week of technical rehearsals. The program is under the guidance of directors Julie Hall and Earlee Harris, producer Chris Feichter, and a team of dedicated adult supporters.
This musical production offers a glimpse into everyday life with a blend of humor and creativity. It promises an entertaining experience showcasing local talent. Don’t miss the opportunity to catch this limited two-show performance at the Huber Opera House on either Saturday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m. or Sunday, July 20 at 2:00 p.m. For more details, visit huberoperahouse.org.