[NEohioPAL] Review of "Bye Bye Birdie" at Fine Arts

[Bob Abelman]

Fine Arts offers an honestly sincere 'Bye Bye Birdie'

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review appeared in the Times papers 6/10/10

 

There are two truisms about the musical Bye Bye Birdie.

 

First, although many movies are based on successful Broadway shows, this Tony Award-winning 1960 musical has been redefined by its classic 1963 film rendition. No high school or community production can escape casting comparisons or hope to find an Albert Peterson as flat-out adorable as Dick Van Dyke, a Kim McAfee as naively sexy as Ann-Margret, a Rosie as charming as Janet Leigh or a Mama Peterson as hilariously aggravating at Maureen Stapleton.  

 

These actors in these roles have become definitive in perpetuity.  Even the 1995 made-for-TV version of the show, starring Jason Alexander and Vanessa Williams as Albert and Rosie, and the short-lived 2009 Broadway revival, starring John Stamos (yipes!) and Gina Gershon, paled by inevitable comparison.  

 

Second, there is no shortage of plays layered with religious symbolism, laden with political significance or loaded with riveting social commentary.  Bye Bye Birdie is burdened with none of these theatricalities. Bye Bye Birdie is just good, wholesome and, yes, slightly dated entertainment. No more, no less.

 

Even Sigmund Fraud once noted that "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."  Well, sometimes a musical comedy is just a comedy with music. 

 

The story, by Michael Stewart, is simple.  Aspiring song writer Albert is convinced he can make his fortune and marry his girlfriend Rosie if he gets rock and roll idol Conrad Birdie, soon to be inducted into the army, on TV's The Ed Sullivan Show. 

 

The gimmick is that Conrad Birdie will kiss a randomly selected high school girl goodbye on live TV.  She happens to be Kim, who lives in conservative, small town Sweet Apple, Ohio with her steady, Hugo, her loving and quirky family, and a town full of young ornithologists (Birdie watchers).

 

The songs by Charles Strouse and Lee Adams are delightful ditties that fly in the face of the early rock and roll era in which they were written, where even Conrad's anthems such as "Honestly Sincere" and "A Lot of Living to Do" are all luster and no soul.  

 

The Fine Arts Association production, under the direction of James Mango, rightfully embraces all that is light, buoyant and comedic in this play.

 

It is evident in Ben Needham's wonderfully stylized scenic design, in which the oversized set pieces resemble a Barbie doll house, plus accessories, painted by Andy Warhol. 

 

It is evident in Sarah Clare's period-appropriate choreography that celebrates the energy and elasticity of early-1960s youth but with the swing movement and social restrictions carried-over from the 1950s; the kind of dancing you'd see in the black and white episodes of Dick Clark's American Bandstand. 

 

It is evident in Mr. Mango's casting.  First and foremost, he has cast an exuberant group of young ensemble players, who capture all the innocence and energy of the era.  They are honestly sincere about their adoration of Conrad, which permeates their every breath and action.  Leading the way is Haley Gagnon as Ursula Merkle, Kim's best friend, Kyle Lorek as Harvey Johnson, Christine Jablonski as Nancy, and Kayleigh Lascio as a member of the teen chorus.    

 

The leads, too, capture this play's playful essence, although some struggle a bit to find their characters.   

 

R. Scott Posey is the most successful.  His Albert is very endearing and quite the nebbish, and Mr. Posey's singing and dancing are superb.  Carla Petroski delivers the kind of fiery Rosie that Chita Rivera brought to the original stage production, but the passion and the challenging vocals the role requires occasionally falter.  Kelly Smith, as Kim, is all sugar and little spice, which plays beautifully opposite the very funny Bruce Bogart as her Dad, Erika Acquaviva as her Mom and Christian Robert Woodrow as the flummoxed Hugo.

 

Joe Milan seems miscast as Conrad, given his mature age and awkward mannerisms, but doubt immediately dissipates when he sings.  Similarly, it takes a while to warm up to Mary Bilyk as Mama Peterson, but her comic timing wins you over.

 

The Fine Arts Association's Bye Bye Birdie is an honestly sincere and delightful community production.  It continues through June 20 in nearby Willoughby.  For tickets call 440-951-7500 or go to www.fineartsassociation.org.

 

Reader feedback is welcome.  Visit:  www.chagrinvalleytimes.com/contact_us.php
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