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NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. — Did they really get pinned? You'll have to see "Bye Bye Birdie" at Algonquin Regional High School to find out.
The play, based on the 1960 Broadway musical, will open Thursday at the ARHS auditorium. Set in America in 1958, the show follows agent Albert Peterson, who comes up with a publicity stunt to get rock 'n' roll star Conrad Birdie to record one more song before he is drafted into the Army. On the Ed Sullivan Show, Birdie will sing the song "One Last Kiss" and give one girl from his fan club a real kiss before leaving.
When 15-year-old Kim MacAfee is chosen, the teenagers in her hometown of Sweet Apple, Ohio, are ecstatic—and not above gossip.
"I think it's a really comedic show," said senior Mike Ryan, who plays Hugo, Kim McAfee's often-jealous boyfriend. "And without the comedy, it still has a great message."
For some student performers, the show's numerous dance numbers offered something new, and an opportunity to work outside their comfort zone.
"I think it's a lot different than shows we're done before, because of the dancing," said junior Brittany Price, who plays Albert Peterson's secretary and girlfriend. "I think this one has been a challenge for me."
Senior Josh Telepman, who plays Albert, agreed. "I'm hardly a dancer," he said.
"I think it's my favorite show," said junior Leah Gibson, who plays Mrs. MacAfee. "It's so fun. It's so different."
The performance will run from Thursday through Saturday. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 7 p.m.
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