Middle School Musical: Bye Bye Birdie

STEWART

ORIGINALLY PRODUCED BY

Adaptation and support materials developed by iTheatrics under the supervision of Timothy Allen McDonald

BOOK BY MICHAEL

MUSIC BY CHARLES STROUSE LYRICS BY LEE ADAMS

Directed by Andrew Cooper-Leary

Musical Direction by Maddy Wyatt

Choreographed by Ashley Hacker

Director’s Note

“Why Bye Bye Birdie now?” That’s a question I have received and pondered over the last few months. The best answer comes straight from the show: “What’s the matter with kids today?” As a parent, I constantly fret about social media and video games the same way my parents feared the influence of television, and their parents worried about rock ’n’ roll. We are in a constant generational tug of war: trying to reconcile our experiences with the ambitions of our children. The beauty of Birdie is that it holds up a comedic mirror to the eternal tensions between parents/guardians and their kids. This generation of parents holds their collective breath at the sway of so-called “influencers” hawking everything from socks to sunglasses to seltzers. Previous generations, perhaps less wittingly, tuned in almost religiously on Sunday nights to watch the most effective influencer in American cultural history: Ed Sullivan. Sullivan, a key presence in this show, brilliantly used his talents as a tastemaker to bring the Beatles to the U.S., make the Supremes a sensation, give Broadway shows national exposure, and make us think that plate-spinners and a talking mouse were entertaining. Conversely, he gave us Elvis (but only from the waist up), he disciplined the Rolling Stones (“Let’s Spend Some Time Together”), and ruthlessly curtailed the career of comedian Jackie Mason over a perceived onscreen obscene gesture. So as you enjoy this classic piece of American theater tonight, enjoy laughing at your fears and insecurities as much as you are laughing at those of previous generations. I think we can also find some humor in the future struggles of our children when and if they become parents themselves. Thank you for joining us tonight. We are grateful for your support of Theater and the Arts at Poly Prep.

Andrew Cooper-Leary Director

BYE

BYE BIRDIE: YOUTH EDITION is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC.

THE VIDEOTAPING OR MAKING OF ELECTRONIC OR OTHER AUDIO AND/ OR VISUAL RECORDINGS OF THIS PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTING RECORDINGS OR STREAMS IN ANY MEDIUM, INCLUDING THE INTERNET, IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED, A VIOLATION OF THE AUTHOR(S)’S RIGHTS AND ACTIONABLE UNDER UNITED STATES COPYRIGHT LAW. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT: https://concordtheatricals.com/resources/ protecting-artists

A Note from the Performing Arts Department

When I think of conscription, I think of men like my father. Men that, because of the year they were born, may have been required by the government to serve. Men that uprooted, redirected and/or forever changed the course of their lives, because of, and for, their country. And I, the greatest of rule-followers, can’t help but be struck by the magnitude of that ask.

Our production of Birdie follows a rock-and-roller who is about to be drafted. There is so much about this musical that is relevant - the teenage angst, relationship struggles, and persistent worry parents feel - but there is also so much about how the draft affects life that feels hard to understand. That is, until we look to the news and see the popular k-pop band, BTS, undergoing the same process in South Korea over 60 years later. The parallels still shockingly remain.

Tonight, join me in congratulating the cast for leaning on each other, learning about history, and delving into a musical that often makes fun of them as teens and pre-teens. We hope we help you “Put on a Happy Face” as you follow our story about “A Healthy, Normal, American Boy” with “A Lot of Livin’ To Do.”

Enjoy!

Ashley Hacker MS/US Dance, Debate & Drama Coordinator

Cast

Mick Waldman Albert Peterson

Dorotea Sabbagh ............................................................................................... Rose Alvarez

Soleil Peña Kim MacAfee

Annie Lopez Mae Peterson

Jesse Rogers ...................................................................................................... Conrad Birdie

Quin Truta Mr. MacAfee

Brianna Sylvain ................................................................................................ Mrs. MacAfee

Sasha Londoner* .............................................................................................. Ursula Merkle

Kailynn Hernandez* Alice

Bryson Sylvain* .............................................................................................. Hugo Peabody

Tyler Chan* Harvey Johnson

Runa Bhandari* ..............................................................................................Gloria Rasputin

Drew Brandmeyer* ................................................................................ Randolph MacAfee

Lila Dubin* Deborah Sue

Lucy Fleishhacker* .................................................................................................. Penelope

Kitty Unis* Helen

Aviva Treister* ................................................................................................................ Margie

Gabby Pipitone* .............................................................................................................. Nancy

Luke Shannon* The Mayor

Jax Powers Wojtowicz* ........................................................................... The Mayor’s Wife

Olivia Chu* Mrs. Merkle

Esteban Mierisch* ................................................................................................Mr. Johnson

Alex Mezhburd* ....................................................................................................... Policeman

Gabrielle Pipitone* Girl #1

Alessandra Lisk* ........................................................................................................... Sad Girl

Jax Powers Wojtowicz* Reporter 1

Tyler Chan* ............................................................................................................... Reporter 2

Kiera Kinnane* ........................................................................................................... Parent #1

Kiana Freeman* Parent #2

Alex Arniotis* ................................................................................................................. Freddy

Alex Mezhburd * ................................................................................................................... Karl

*Denotes members of ENSEMBLE: Teenagers, parents, additional police & reports, TV people, etc.

DANCE CAPTAIN: Lucy Fleishhacker

Production Staff

Andy Cooper-Leary Director

Ashley Hacker ................................................................................................ Choreographer

Maddy Wyatt Music Director

Kim Griffin Costume Designer

Daniel Patrick Hogan .................................................................................... Scenic Design

David Higham Lighting Design/Technical Director

Isabelle Gerling ’25 ...................................................................... Student Choreographer

Orchestra

Karl Saint Lucy ................. Piano/Rehearsal Accompanist/Orchestral Arrangements

Andrew Hall ......................................................................................................................... Bass

Lisa Parrott Clarinet/Alto Sax

Chris Benvegna ............................................................................................................... Guitar

AIex Wyatt Drums

Meet the Production Staff

Andy Cooper-Leary (Director) has directed over 40 plays and musicals with students ranging in age from kindergarten through high school during his teaching career. Before coming to Poly Prep in 2022, Andrew was the Performing Arts teacher at Leadership Prep Brownsville Elementary Academy. He has also taught/directed at New York area independent schools, including the Hackley School and Friends Academy. From 2009 to 2018, Andrew was part of the Emmy Award-winning research team at MLB Network. He has a degree in Drama & English from Tufts University and an MA in Educational Theatre from NYU. In between degrees, Andrew trained professionally as an actor at Circle in the Square and Brandeis University.

Maddy Wyatt (Music Director) is excited to be conducting her sixth musical at Poly Prep. In addition to her work as a music educator, Ms. Wyatt is also an accomplished singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, having toured the country both solo and with her band WYATT, released three albums of original music, and composed film scores and the occasional toothpaste jingle. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music, and her work can most recently be heard in the feature film Breaking Fast, now streaming across all platforms. Thanks to Andy, Ashley, and to our wonderful cast and creative team for all their hard work.

Ashley Hacker (Choreographer) began her endeavor as a lifelong dancer at the age of 2 ½. She continued her dance studies as an undergraduate at The College at Brockport, where she earned a BFA in Dance, and a BS in Psychology with a minor in Music. After graduation, she made the move to the Big Apple to dance, teach, and pursue her MA in Dance Education with a PreK-12 Dance Certification from New York University. Ms. Hacker continues to perform in NYC with her most recent performance at the Peridance Capezio Center; is a member, attends yearly, and presents at the National Dance Education Organization Conference; and regularly participates in arts outreach and in-reach programs in the NYC community. In addition to teaching and choreographing at Poly, Ms. Hacker has also been working hard in her second year as the Dance, Debate & Drama Coordinator. She is certified as a yoga teacher, a Strong Nation and Zumba instructor, and a FRC mobility specialist, using her knowledge regularly to support Poly students.

Kim Griffin (Costume Designer) has designed for theater, musicals, dance, and opera; collaboration with directors, the design team, and the actors is integral to her process from beginning to end. Kim has worked at theaters including the Williamstown Theatre Festival, New Jersey Repertory Theatre, Florida Repertory Theatre, Houston’s Theatre Under the Stars, Ohio Light Opera, Stageworks Theatre, Boomerang Theatre Company, Opera in the Heights, and The Gilbert & Sullivan Society of Houston. She has toured with the Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Legends Blue Unit and has stitched for The Met Gala, New York Fashion Week, The Golden Globes, Broadway shows, and national tours. She has also designed for Theatre for Young Audiences tours, along with university and high school productions. Kim is originally from Houston, Texas and earned her BFA in Theatre Design & Technology with a minor in music from Baylor University and her MFA in Costume Design from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. As part of the fulfillment of her master’s at MGSA, she studied at Rutgers Conservatory at Shakespeare’s Globe and The School of Historical Dress in London, England.

Daniel Patrick Hogan (Scenic/Set Designer) has designed scenery, props, hair, and makeup for numerous productions. As a scenic designer, his favorite projects include Little Shop of Horrors, The Seafarer, The Pirates of Penzance, In the Heights, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and A Doll’s House. Recently, Daniel designed scenery for The Wallace Theatre’s production of Sweeney Todd. He created an immersive, multi-levelled set that placed the audience in between different locations. His design utilized existing elements of the derelict Wallace Theatre and offered a unique viewing experience for each audience member. Daniel thoroughly enjoys transforming found spaces and designing new works.

David Higham (Lighting Designer & Technical Director) is in his thirty-first year at Poly, where he has been responsible for designing the lighting, sound, and scenery for over 170 productions. In addition to his work at Poly, Mr. Higham has designed lighting for productions at The Public Theatre, Lincoln Center, the Irish Arts Center, The Women’s Project, The Puerto Rican Traveling Theatre, and The National Shakespeare Company. Mr. Higham also has worked as a lighting designer for several New York City architectural and landscape design firms.

Our Production Would Not Be Possible without the Generous Support of:

Audrius Barzdukas P’20 Head of School

Michal Hershkovitz P’16, ’18 Assistant Head of School, Academics

André Del Valle P’29, ’33 Head of Middle School

Michael Robinson Head of Arts

Daniel Doughty Director of Music

Ashley Hacker

MS/US Dance, Debate & Drama Coordinator

Adam Bisceglia, Alia Carponter-Walker, Amanda Rose, & Peter Soto Middle School Deans

The members of the Performing Arts faculty, the Engagement & Communications Department, the Admissions Department, the FUN Committee, the Poly Prep IT Staff, the Facilities and Maintenance Department, the Security Staff, the Kitchen Staff, and the Deans.

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