Footlighters to present 'Bye, Bye Birdie'
Conant High School juniors Stephan Hyde and Mark Pontarelli may be good friends offstage, but on stage this weekend, they will be rivals, over the same girl.
The teens star in "Bye, Bye Birdie," mounted by the Footlighters Theatre Company at Prairie Lakes Theater in Des Plaines. The show opens at 8 p.m. Friday and runs weekends through July 26.
In it, Pontarelli plays the role of Conrad Birdie, a 1950s rock 'n' roll star, set up to kiss one last girl before being drafted into the Army.
The show features several familiar songs, including "Telephone Hour," and "Put on a Happy Face," as well as "Kids," and Birdie's smash hit, "One Last Kiss," which draws screams from all the teenage girls.
"I've never really pictured myself in this kind of role, but it's definitely a lot of fun," says Pontarelli of Elk Grove Village.
The girl, Kim MacAfee, from Sweet Apple, Ohio, and played by Carolyn Miller of Glenview, has just one obstacle: her boyfriend, Hugo, played by Hyde.
In one of the play's most dramatic moments, Hugo punches Birdie, during a live telecast of the Ed Sullivan Show, promptly winning back the affections of MacAfee.
"That's my favorite scene," quips Hyde, of Schaumburg. "We have a lot of fun with it." Together, they lead a cast of 50 actors, ages 6 to 18, all working under the direction of Jack Lampert, resident director, who has nearly 100 directing credits in his resume. Other principals include: Wayne Goble, Christy Schwartz and Lisanne Roth, all of Park Ridge, and Jeff Rachman of Rolling Meadows.
"Our goal is to have an exciting theater company here in Des Plaines, and the park district backs us 100 percent," Lampert says. "We're committed to providing a place where young actors can learn about live theater, and hone their skills performing in first-rate productions."
That seems to be the case for Hyde and Pontarelli, who are appearing in their third successive musical together, alternating leading roles in each.
In December, Hyde played the lead role of Danny in the Footlighters' production of "Grease," while Pontarelli played his sidekick, Kenicki. Last spring, the tables were turned as Pontarelli played the lead role of Ren McCormack in Conant's production of "Footloose," while Hyde played a supporting role.
No matter what the part, both teens say that spending the summer rehearsing for the musical, has been rewarding.
"Performing and doing musicals, is something I love," says Pontarelli. "I'm having the time of my life."
If you go
What: Footlighters Theatre Company presents, "Bye, Bye Birdie"
When: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; shows continue same times on weekends through July 26
Where: Prairie Lakes Theater, 515 E. Thacker St. in Des Plaines
Cost: $15 for adults and $13 for seniors
Call: (847) 391-5711 or visit www.desplainesparks.org