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HOTT Productions in Schaumburg to stage 'Bye, Bye Birdie'

HOTT Productions in Schaumburg to stage 'Bye, Bye Birdie'

By day, Ron Prazuch works in the world of book publishing for a wholesale dealer in Barrington. But each night for the last few months, he sheds his inhibitions and channels his inner Elvis self.

Later this month, Prazuch takes the stage as Conrad Birdie in the nostalgic musical "Bye Bye Birdie," staged by HOTT Productions in Schaumburg.

"I was in the pit orchestra for musicals at St. Viator High School," says Prazuch of Arlington Heights, "but I had never set foot on stage until recently when I was recruited to be one of the ensemble members in 'Hello Dolly.' They never seem to have enough men.

"Now, it's snowballed to being cast as Conrad Birdie," he adds. "To be honest, I'm a bit terrified, but fortunately Conrad isn't necessarily known for his stellar crooning. He's all about his hips, attitude and ability to make teenage girls faint."

The story behind "Bye Bye Birdie" centers around rock 'n' roll superstar Conrad Birdie, who is loosely based on Elvis Presley. He is about to be drafted into the Army, much to the dismay of his adoring fans.

Birdie's manager, Albert, and his secretary, Rosie, cook up a plan to send him off in style with a hit new song and one last kiss from a lucky fan on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

"Rehearsals involve a lot of screaming," Prazuch says, "and the near constant singing of the Conrad Birdie anthem, 'We love you, Conrad. Oh, yes, we do.'"

Back in 1961, "Bye Bye Birdie" won the Tony Award for best musical with such classic songs as "Put On A Happy Face," "A Lot of Livin' To Do," "The Telephone Hour," "Kids," and "One Last Kiss."

Prazuch is one of 40 community actors of all ages in the cast. One of those who returns year after year is John Keehan, a retired Schaumburg dentist. In this show, he plays an Irish bartender who kicks out underage teens.

"It's a totally fun show," Keehan says. "All the leads are strong and the teen ensemble is totally into it."

Other principals include Tim McKernan of Addison as Conrad's bumbling manager Albert Peterson, the role made famous by Dick Van Dyke. Katie Mazzuca of Itasca takes on the leading role of his secretary and would-be fiancee Rosie Alvarez, and Dove Chapman of West Dundee, who plays Albert's meddling mother.

The show also features Jamie McAlister of Hoffman Estates as Kim, the lucky fan who gets to give Birdie one last kiss; Colin McGonagle of Schaumburg as her boyfriend, Hugo; and Michael Machlet of Roselle and Julie Alvarado of Carol Stream, who portray her father and mother.

Young Dominic Luzwick of Schaumburg plays Kim's little brother, Randolph, while his real-life parents are part of the production team. Donica Luzwick serves as choreographer and costumer, while Dave Luzwick is vocal director.

The creative team also includes Christine Seminaro of Schaumburg as director, Jim Franklin of Inverness as conductor, and Bill Janz of Streamwood as set designer.

It was Donica Luzwick and her sister, Seminaro, who started the theater company in 1995. Both are educators with Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54, and they earmark their proceeds for literacy and prevention initiatives in Schaumburg Township.

They named their company HOTT Productions, which is an acronym for Helping Others Through Theater. Over the years it has donated more than $125,000 to local charities.

Jamie McAlister as Kim with Colin McGonagle as Hugo gets some directing in the scene "One Boy!" in the musical "Bye, Bye Birdie." Courtesy of HOTT Productions
Kim, played by Jamie McAllister of Hoffman Estates, sings the song "Ed Sullivan" with her parents, Michael Machlet of Roselle and Julie Alvarado of Carol Stream. Dominic Luzwick of Schaumburg plays her younger brother, Randolph Courtesy of HOTT Productions
Teen ensemble members in the show's signature opener, the "Telephone Hour." Courtesy of HOTT Productions
Teen ensemble members rehearse the show's opener, the "Telephone Hour." Courtesy of HOTT Productions

If you go

What: "Bye Bye Birdie," staged by HOTT Productions

When: 7:30 p.m. June 17, 18, 24 and 25

Where: Prairie Center for the Arts, 201 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg

Cost: $20 for adults and $18 for children and seniors

Details: (847) 985-0139

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