Saint Viator High School's 'Bye Bye Birdie' opens Feb. 3
There's a whole lot of screaming going on at Saint Viator High School. The latest teen sensation, Conrad Birdie, is in the building and the excitement is contagious.
That's right. Saint Viator presents "Bye Bye Birdie" as its 51st musical and its timeless songs - "The Telephone Hour," "Kids," and "Put on a Happy Face" - conjure up a simpler time, when going steady was all the rage and a teenage idol could reduce a girl to tears. It opens Feb. 3.
"We have a terrific bunch of kids in our production," says director Kate Costello. "Being young, having fun and forming relationships are a large part of what we are celebrating here today."
One of the hallmarks of a Saint Viator production is that every role is double casted, allowing as many students as possible to participate. Consequently, nearly 200 students are involved, between two casts, stage crew and pit orchestra members. Literally, the stage bursts with energy.
"Working with these kids keeps me feeling young," adds assistant director Tony Calzaretta.
"Bye Bye Birdie's" roots date back 60 years, to the 1957 drafting of Elvis Presley into the army, which inspired the musical. Yet even today's teenagers can relate to its story lines, principals say.
Junior Laura Kuper of Wheeling and senior Shannon Roney of Barrington share the role of young Kim McAfee, the one girl from Sweet Apple, Ohio, chosen to receive a kiss from Birdie before he ships out to the army. Both agree that every teen age girl can relate to worshipping a celebrity.
"I can totally relate to Kim," Kuper says. "She's this bubbly character who reacts like any other teenager. And the music reflects that. It's upbeat and catchy."
The two students who share the role of Conrad Birdie - junior Kevin Goss of Arlington Heights and sophomore Kevin Wilhite of Barrington - say a guy can get used to girls falling all over them.
"He's overconfident, conceited and over the top," Wilhite says of his first principal part, "but it's the experience of a lifetime to be able to play him."
Goss agrees, though he adds playing the role involves more than doing an Elvis impersonation.
"We've had to work a lot with the choral director to polish our singing," says Goss, a two-time state qualifier in cross-country. "She taught us new mechanics to use and new techniques. It's been a lot of work."
Seniors Matthew Fecko of Arlington Heights and Bryan Rapala of West Dundee share the role of Albert Peterson, Birdie's agent and songwriter, performed by Dick Van Dyke in the movie version.
"He's henpecked by his mother and his girlfriend, Rosie," Fecko says. "He's timid and afraid of confrontation."
All of which are captured in his many songs in the show, often accompanied by ensemble members.
"My favorite is 'Baby Talk to Me,' " says Fecko, who is an accomplished singer, having advanced to the Illinois Music Educators Association district festival. "It's a ballad that I love."
Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 3 and 10 and Saturdays, Feb. 4 and 11; 1:30 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 5 and 12. Tickets are $12; to reserve, call (847) 392-4050, ext. 349.
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