Hello, 'Birdie'

Back in 1957, Elvis Presley was in full swing, so to speak, and a young Northwest suburban theater company was mounting its first show.

Some 50 years and more than 1,000 actors later, Music On Stage continues to produce musical theater productions, and fittingly, kicked off its milestone season with one that captures the excitement of an Elvis-type superstar, in "Bye Bye Birdie."

"It's a show that everyone enjoys," said Ann Stewart, Music On Stage's resident music director since 1979. "Its music is very, very memorable."

While company officials started out producing only Gilbert and Sullivan works, they quickly broadened their scope and began mounting musical theater productions, in partnership with another area company, Best Off Broadway through the 1960s.

By the time Stewart joined the group, they were on their own and struggling to make ends meet, she says. It wasn't until they staged "South Pacific" in 1982 that they started to make a profit and right the ship.

Now, when choosing shows for the season, they follow a formula that seems to have stood the test of time.

"We do three musicals a year," said Heide Gotsch of Lake Zurich, past chairman. "We try and stage one that includes children or teens, as well as a 'risk' or newer show, and one of the classics."

Consequently, "Bye Bye Birdie," leads off its season that continues with Gershwin's "Crazy For You," opening Feb. 16, and "Annie Get Your Gun," opening June 7.

Gotsch added that beyond providing quality entertainment for the community, the group tries to inspire the actors and crew, and develop a family-type atmosphere deep enough that they hook them into returning.

"We have a lot of hardworking, dedicated people, who believe in the whole package," Gotsch added. "There's just a lot of positive energy going on here."

Audiences at "Birdie's" opening weekend confirmed that. They gave the show a rousing applause, and they packed all three opening performances.

A cast of veteran performers, mixed with area teens, drive the shows.

Tom Moore of Prospect Heights plays the title role, while the role of his henpecked manager, Albert, is performed by Dan Collins of Chicago, who has performed professionally at Marriott Lincolnshire, and at Drury Lane in Oak Brook.

Playing opposite Collins as his long-suffering secretary, Rosie, is Rolling Meadows native Allison Orobia, who last played the lead role in "Miss Saigon" for the Up and Coming Theatre.

Kim McAfee, the teen from Sweet Apple, Ohio, picked to kiss Birdie before he heads off to the Army, is played by Heather Scurtu of Chicago, who last performed in Music On Stage's production of "Pirates of Penzance."

All together, Stewart and director Dick Sitt, worked with 21 adults and 19 teens in the cast, as well as the crew and live orchestra.

"The cast is just fabulous, they've just been great to work with," said Stewart, who estimates she has served as music director for at least 70 shows.

"I love it. I'm a widow and my children are grown," Stewart added. "Each musical is so different, and the music itself is always challenging."

Stewart is involved from the casting calls and teaching the vocals to the cast, to rehearsing the orchestra, and putting them both together.

"She's our mainstay," Gotsch says. "We couldn't have put on the quality shows all these years, without her."

If you go

What: "Bye Bye Birdie," kicking off Music On Stage's 50th anniversary season

When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, and 3 p.m. Sunday

Where: Cutting Hall, 150 E. Wood St. in Palatine

Cost: $15 in advance or $18 at the door

Web: www.musiconstage.org