By: Jordan Campbell
The sound of music is in the air and not just because of chirping birds. The theater department has been preparing for its spring musical, “Bye Bye Birdie.”
“’Bye Bye Birdie’ is one of the most captivating musical shows of our time,” said Justin Ratliff, a sophomore musical theater major. “It tells the story of a rock ‘n’ roll singer who is about to be inducted into the army.”
The musical is a parody based on American society in the 1950s and 60s. The lead roles are Justin Ratliff who will play Conrad Birdie, Jacob Watson who will play Abert Peterson, Courtnie DeVore who will play Rose Alvarez, Elisabeth Hipp who will play Kim Macafee, Lynley Vire who will play Mrs. Doris Macafee, Timothy Drennan who will play Mr. Harry Macafee, Cody Myers who will play Hugo Peabody, Heather White who will play Ursula Merkle and Bethany Swiontek who will play Mrs. Peterson/Mamma. In all, there are 44 cast members, and some students play multiple roles.
According to Elisabeth Hipp, a senior vocal performance major, the plot focuses on the lives of Conrad’s agent, Albert Peterson. His secretary and love interest Rose Alvarez are main characters as well along with a teenage girl, Kim Macafee, her family and friends. All of their lives revolve around the Elvis-like character, Conrad Birdie.
The use of video projection is an entirely new aspect added to the rehearsal process this year. Video projection will allow the background for the stage to be more lifelike.
“The rehearsal process is always a lot of work and is usually very time consuming, and this year is no exception,” Hipp said. “It is always extremely necessary to have such a rehearsal process in order to have a successful show. What is hard work now will hopefully look effortless to the audience later.”
According to Mary Handiboe, associate professor of theatre arts who serves as the show’s stage director, the rehearsal process has been particularly difficult due to the large cast and short amount of rehearsal time. However, she said the work always pays off in the end.
“One of my enjoyable times as a director is when I watch an actor finally click with his role — when the actor connects to it in such a way that the soul of the character comes alive on stage,” Handiboe said. “I also love it when the work brings about clever moments in the movement, pictures and supporting technical elements seen on stage. But the best part is watching the students shine when they finally get the show in front of a live audience.”
The music for “Bye Bye Birdie” features “light-hearted” and “upbeat” music, according to MaryLacey Thompson, a freshman musical theater major. The musical is one of the first performed, therefore labeled a classic from its plot to its music and dance moves.
“My favorite part of this entire process would most definitely be the performance aspect of it,” Thompson said. “Once we are able to combine scenery, costumes, props, lights, sound and just be able to perform, that is when the real magic happens. Everything up to that point has a tendency to become stressful and worrisome. But once we get to show week, the end product is always worth it.”
“Bye Bye Birdie” performances will be held in Jones Performing Arts Center at April 14-16 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 17, at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 per person and may be purchased by visiting or calling the Jones Performing Arts Center box office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. or may be purchased online at www.obu.edu/finearts. OBU students can receive one free ticket with their student ID.
