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Bye, Bye, Birdie
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A group of 18 Lone Tree students have been spending their time memorizing, painting, singing and dancing in an effort to getting ready for the Spring Play.
Director Tanya Franker has selected a musical satire called "Bye, Bye, Birdie".
The play, set in 1958, is a reenactment of the phenomenon created when Elvis Presley was drafted in 1957. The play features a fictitious rock singer "Conrad Birdie" and the upheaval created when he is drafted.
Junior C.J. Jones plays the part of Alden Peterson, Birdie's agent in the play.
A group of 18 Lone Tree students have been spending their time memorizing, painting, singing and dancing in an effort to getting ready for the Spring Play.
Director Tanya Franker has selected a musical satire called "Bye, Bye, Birdie".
The play, set in 1958, is a reenactment of the phenomenon created when Elvis Presley was drafted in 1957. The play features a fictitious rock singer "Conrad Birdie" and the upheaval created when he is drafted.
Junior C.J. Jones plays the part of Alden Peterson, Birdie's agent in the play.
"I like the comedy and yet the seriousness of it. I think the audience will really enjoy both," said Jones.
Jones mentioned that there are a lot more students involved in the play than here have been in the past. Senior Korey Forbes, playing the rock star, said it's fun to work with a larger group.
"I like how it's a larger cast than in previous years," said Forbes. "There's a lot of newer faces that haven't been in plays before. It's exciting to have them and I think it's going to be a good play this year."
There are six freshmen in the play this year: Jenny Jones, Eileen Westfall, Connor Larew, Heather Bland, Alex Moore and Harry Miller.
"We had a lot more kids try out than normal after last year's musical," said Franker, who is the high school and middle school language arts teacher at Lone Tree. "There were a lot of freshman who tried out and there are a lot of group scenes so it's fluid with how many people we can have in it."
Franker said she's excited to have so many freshman eager to be in the play, and hopes they'll be involved in the future too.
"We wanted freshmen to be in it so they can decide in the future if they want to be involved and understand more what it takes," said Franker.
Senior Sara Ryerson, who plays a mother of teenagers in the play, said she's looking forward to the singing and dancing.
"I like that we get to sing and dance that's always my favorite part of plays," said Ryerson. "I like how there are a lot of people in the play, which makes it more fun. We get to dress up like we're from the sixties and wear poodle skirts."
Jones said there's one particular song he thinks the audience will like.
"I think the audience will really enjoy one of our songs, one that Korey sings called, 'You got to be sincere'," said Jones. "Everyone on stage except Korey faints. I think the audience will really enjoy that, It's really funny."
Forbes' favorite scene is "telephone hour"
"There's all these teenage girls and they're singing in really high pitched voices and there's a background of some teenage boys singing and it's really funny," said Forbes. "I think they'll like that."
Ryerson hinted at a visit from a special guest in the play.
"I think they'll enjoy the singing and dancing and especially like when a special guest gets to dress up like a girl - that will be especially funny," said Ryerson.
"Bye, Bye, Birdie" is scheduled to play April 24 and 25 at the Lone Tree high school. For more information contact the high school office: 319-629-4610.
The Cast:
Conrad Birdie - Korey Forbes (Sr)
Albert Peterson - C.J. Jones (Jr)
Rosie Alvarez - Angie Wehmeyer (So)
Kim McAfee - Jenny Jones (Fr)
Mr. Harry McAfee - Zak Loving (Jr)
Mrs. Doris McAfee - Sarah Ryerson (Sr)
Randolph McAfee - Ethan Schrieber (So)
Hugo Peabody - K.J. Bland (Sr)
Mae Peterson - Kennedy Callan (Jr)
Ursula Merkle - Eileen Westfall (Fr)
Mrs. Merkle - Julia Lihs (Sr)
Mayor/Charles F. Maude/ Mr. Johnson - Jacob Sexton (So)
Harvey Johnson - Connor Larew (Fr)
Mayor's Wife - Alyssa Werbach (So)
Helen - Kayleigh Sutton (Jr)
Nancy - Heather Bland (Fr)
Karl - Alex Moore (Fr)
Stage Manager - Harry Miller (Fr)
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©The Lone Tree Reporter 2010
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