Summer Theater presents 'Bye Bye Birdie'

It doesn't matter when they're growing up — in the 1960's or today, teenagers are obsessed with music, fashion and celebrities. In the musical "Bye Bye Birdie" when one young girl wins the chance to meet and (gasp!) kiss Conrad Birdie, a heart throb singer modeled loosely after Elvis Presley and Conrad Twitty, chaos erupts in Sweet Apple, Ohio, the small, Midwestern town where she resides.

This weekend the New England Repertory Theater, led by David and Susan Halliwell, will perform "Bye Bye Birdie" at Jockey Hollow Middle School on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 28, 29 and 30 at 7:30 p.m.

Beginning at the original Polka Dot Playhouse at Bridgeport's Pleasure Beach, this is the Halliwell's 20th season producing local theater for teens and young adults. The couple's eldest son, Rob, a professional actor, and student at Columbia College Chicago joins the administrative team this year as assistant director for "Bye Bye Birdie."

The Monroe production also marks choreographer Judy Abbatiello's 19th year with the summer theater workshop. Owner of Monroe Dance Academy, Abbatiello said that she returns each summer because she "loves working with the kids."

"They're a really talented group of kids," Abbatiello said. "At times the challenge of putting together a show in three weeks is a bit much, but it's always worth it. I think the kids get so much out of it. They develop a profound respect for theater and the bonds of friendships
are truly life altering in some ways."

Zoe Vautrin, 14, who plays "Rosie," one of the female leads, said the only reason she auditioned for Jockey Hollow's musical "Curtains" this past spring was so she could be with her friends. "I figured, 'Why not?'" Zoe said. "I always wanted to sing. I decided to tryout and see what happened."

Zoe was cast in the musical's ensemble and had such a good time that she decided to join her friends again this summer at the Halliwell's camp. Zoe was surprised to learn, though, that she was awarded a featured role. "It's a really fun character to play," Zoe said.

This fall, Zoe hopes to be involved with Masuk High School's theater department, which is led by Julia Strong and Michael Crowley.

Zack Blanchette, also 14, will portray Zoe's love interest, "Albert Peterson."

"I really like my character," Zack said. "He's really funny."

Zack's sister, Kaleigh, a 2008 graduate of Masuk High School and veteran of several music and theater productions, encouraged him to audition. "She said that it was a really cool thing to do," Zack said.

When he was in seventh grade, Zack was thrilled to be cast in one of the leading roles in Jockey Hollow's "Once Upon A Mattress." Zack said he hoped to develop more skills this summer that would give him an edge next year at high school. "I wanted to improve and get some help from the Halliwell's," Zack said.

Though Ryan Gaynor, 13, won't be able to perform onstage this week because he'll be away on a family vacation, he also signed up for the summer camp to hone his skills. "I've always liked pretending," he said. "When I was a little kid, I always liked dramatic plays. I came to the camp and loved it."

Like many of the young people, Ryan also appreciates the strong friendships developed during the rehearsals. Buddy Wade, 14, agreed. "I love the people here," said Buddy, who will play the larger-than-life character of Conrad Birdie. Buddy said that although he had hoped to receive the role of "Birdie." He was surprised to be cast. "There is so much competition here," he said. "There are so many talented kids."

Buddy recently graduated from St. Jude School and will enter St. Joseph's High School this fall. Last summer Buddy had a great time portraying the title character in the summer production of  "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown."

"It's fun to play someone now who is opposite of Charlie Brown," Buddy said.

Bailey Horton, 14, is also playing a character unlike any other he has previously played. In an unexpected comedic turn, and a twist on traditional gender casting, Bailey will play "Mrs. Peterson," who is also known in the play as "Mama."

"At the auditions, I joked that it would be a lot of fun to play this part," Bailey said. "When I saw my name on the call-back list for
'Mama,' I thought they were now joking with me."

He was cast as the overbearing mother of Albert Peterson. "I love doing comic roles," Bailey said. "It's really fun to play Mrs. Peterson. She's such a big personality."

"Bye Bye Birdie" is the tenth Halliwell play that Bailey has been part of. In Jockey Hollow's production of  "Curtains," Bailey portrayed any comic role of the zany director. His first major part was in the summer production of  "High School Musical," which was produced a few summers ago.

"The people that are involved in these shows are like family to me," Bailey said.

Monroe parent Stephanie Cohen said she's happy her two children — Andy, 12, and Jessie, 11 — are learning so much about theater from Susan and David Halliwell. "They're really pulling such professional performances out of the kids," Cohen said. "They're teaching them all about the craft and the kids are really working hard."