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'Bye, Bye, Birdie' : Hello, standing ovation

    by By Maddy Eissler, Villa Maria Academy, Inquirer
    Published 

Who knew what fuss could be made over "One Boy?!" Bye, Bye Birdie, performed solidly by Episcopal Academy, with lyrics by Lee Adams, music composed by Charles Strouse, and book by Michael Stewart, was nominated for multiple Tony awards, winning Best Musical in 1961.

Set in 1958, this satirical musical tells the story of Sweet Apple, a small town in Ohio, and the upheaval it undergoes when teen sensation Conrad Birdie (Hayden Walling) is drafted into the army. Albert Peterson (Matthew Vegari), Birdie's manager, and his secretary, Rose Alvarez (Sarah Mezzanotte), devise a publicity stunt: Conrad will share "One Last Kiss" with a normal, all-American girl, Kim Macafee (Kate Ruggiero), before he goes off to war. Episcopal's lively performance of this musical comedy was filled with unruly house guests, hoards of screaming fan-girls, a meddling mother (Angira Pickens), and the challenges that love presents.

With an animated cast, fabulous lighting, and undeniable enthusiasm, Episcopal Academy's production captured the audience from the very first proclamation of devotion by the Conrad Birdie Fan Club.

Matthew Vegari, as the male lead, was quite strong vocally, delighting all with his rendition of "Baby, Talk to Me." Sarah Mezzanotte displayed a solid understanding of her character and transitioned to 'Spanish Rose' remarkably well. Kate Ruggiero's comedic styling and noticeable comfort on stage added to the performance.

Hayden Walling excellently portrayed an Elvis-inspired Conrad. As mother to Albert and father to Kim, Angira Pickens and Paul Riley had the audience roaring with laughter due to their impeccable comedic timing and over-dramatized characters. Dan McCormick as Hugo Peabody and Sean Purcell as Harvey Johnson captured the audience with their light-hearted comedy.

Designed by Annie Dunlap and Julia Philips, the exceptional lighting brought a whole new element to the stage. Overall, the technological and stage crews did an outstanding job, consistently keeping transitions on time, without missing any cues.

Episcopal Academy's performance of Bye, Bye Birdie encouraged the audience to "Put On A Happy Face" and, judging by the standing ovation they received, succeeded in doing so.