Bye Bye Birdie is Patio Playhouse's current fare, a production of their Youtheater under the direction of Chris Hall. Youtheater participants range from early grade school to 19 years old. The group is enthusiastic and includes some quite talented people in major roles. Bye Bye Birdie opened on Broadway April 14, 1960. In 1963 it was made into a film, and in 1995 it was adapted for television. The little town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, is rocked by the arrival of hip-thrusting rock-and-roll legend Conrad Birdie (Chris Andrews), who is about to leave for the military. Teenagers, especially the screaming girls, are in dreamland with their idol actually in town. There is to be a live feed to the Ed Sullivan Show just prior to Birdie's boarding the train, off to boot camp. Conrad's agent, Albert (Tom Blanton), devises the stunt of having Conrad sing his newest song, "One Last Kiss," to a girl picked at random for the show. Kim MacAfee (Sarah Hurn) is chosen, much to the displeasure of her boyfriend, Hugo (Samuel Kohler). Albert's assistant, Rosie (Karina Gillette), who is in love with Albert, has problems with Albert's inability to cut the apron strings to his strong-willed mother, Mrs. Peterson (Hayley Janecek). All's well that ends well, as Bye Bye Birdie is a traditional happy-ending musical of the period. We will, hopefully, be seeing a lot more of Karina Gilette. Not only is she a good actress, but she's a good singer as well. Her "What Did I Ever See In Him," with Sarah Hurn in the second act is great. Her "Spanish Rose" and "An English Teacher" are both belted with élan. Ms. Hurn's "How Lovely to be a Woman" is very good. Andrew's Conrad is right out of Elvis Presley's playbook, complete with sequined jump suit. Hayley Janecek is convincing as a 40- or 50-something mother of Albert—quite a stunt for a 16 year old! Twins Jeana and Julia Boulos share the role of Kim's mother, Mrs. MacAfee. Whoever I saw did an excellent job of being a parent of three children. Her two younger kids, the youngest members of the cast, were charmingly played by Elliot de Neve and Emily Decker. Chris Hall has done a great directing job with these young people. Many, I'm sure, will join our community theaters, and a few will go beyond to professional venues. The Cabrera family of actors includes Chantillie in two roles, Nicco in three, and Giovanna in three. Even with taking on more than one role, the cast is 23 strong and also includes John Ashcroft, Marco Chavez, Marshal Davis, Todd Davis, Rachel Garstang, Liz Harvey, Natilie Jongaroenlarp, Alejandro Otero, Ryan Smith, and Anna Warrick. Musical Director Jenny Gilette also plays the piano and is accompanied by a drum player. Anne Savage and the cast do an excellent job with the costuming. Rick Ashcroft not only acts but designed both lights and sound. Director Hall and AD Erin Peck conceived the multi-opening black-box set occasionally decorated by panels designed by Melissa Fisher. It appears that almost every cast member also had backstage or preproduction duties. Bye Bye Birdie, at close to 50 has aged well. This young cast give their audience an energetic production filled with excellent voices and acting, while sisters Chantillie and Giovanna Cabrera have choreographed many interesting dances.
Opened:
January 19, 2007
Ended:
February 4, 2007
Country:
USA
State:
California
City:
Escondido
Company/Producers:
Patio Playhouse Youtheater
Theater Type:
Community
Theater:
Patio Playhouse
Theater Address:
201 East Grand
Phone:
(760) 746-6669
Running Time:
2 hrs, 15 min
Genre:
Musical
Director:
Chris Hall
Review:
Cast:
Chris Andrews, John Ashcroft, Tom Blanton, Jeana Boulos, Julia Boulos, Chantillie Cabrera, Giovanna Cabrera, Nicco Cabrera, Marco Chavez, Marshal Davis, Todd Davis, Emily Decker, Elliott de Neve, Rachel Garstang, Karina Gilette, Liz Harvey, Sara Hurn, Hayley Janecek, Natilie Jongaroenlarp, Samuel Kohler, Alejandro Otero, Ryan Smith, Anna Warrick
Technical:
Musical Director: Jenny Gilette; Choreography: Chantillie & Giovanna Cabrera; Costumes: Anne Savage & cast; Sound/Lighting: Rick Ashcroft; Set Concept: Chris Hall & Erin Peck
Critic:
Robert Hitchcox
Date Reviewed:
January 2007
