Schools

Felix Festa Middle School Stages 'Bye Bye Birdie'

Performances - Friday, March 25 and Saturday, March 26 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, March 27 at 2 p.m.

Patch caught up with Musical Director Tammy Bierker for a question and answer session about Felix Festa Middle School's upcoming production of "Bye Bye Birdie," which includes 135 students performing and 15 others working behind the scenes.

Bierker also produces the play and assists with lighting and building sets. Mike Deming is the drama director and Lauren Margot is the choreographer for “Bye Bye Birdie.”

Q. What is the play about?

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A. “Bye Bye Birdie” is about a rock star singer and two people who are trying to get him to make money for their musical production company.

Q. Is “Bye Bye Birdie” a popular play for schools to perform or is it out of the ordinary?

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A. When we picked the play back in the fall we had no idea another school in the county would also be performing it this spring. The songs are great for this age group. We are doing a full musical with big musical numbers for the students to dance and be part of.

Q. Why did you select this play?

A. We look at the talent we have and look at different plays to decide whether our kids can perform it.

Q. What are the challenges of this play?

A. I think the challenges are mostly with the male parts. We were able to select boys who were able to sing the male parts. We may have had to rewrite few notes. (Boys 'voices are usually changing while they are middle school age.) We use teachers or professional musicians to play the musical accompaniment.

Q. How many students are participating - as actors, stage crew, musicians, chorus, etc.?

A. Close to 200 students showed up to audition. This year 135 actors are on stage and 15 stagehands make up the crew.

Q. When did tryouts and rehearsals start?

A. Tryouts began in early November and parts were picked by early December. Read-throughs then took place with rehearsals starting the first week in January.

In January, the show’s leads practiced twice a week and the chorus rehearsed one or two times weekly. They started when classes ended and lasted until 5 pm. In March, leads have been staying after school almost every day until 6 pm, chorus members have been practicing three days a week and this week the full cast and chorus are rehearsing together.

Q. What is the role of parent volunteers in making the play a reality?

A. Parents have been wonderful. They work and run the flower concession. We sell flowers and shirts at each show. They help with costumes, make-up, set painting and putting up posters.  Before tryouts, students and their parents are given an agreement to sign that explains the commitment for the students and for the parents which includes attending a volunteer meeting.

Patch asked sixth grader Jack Rodenbach, whose character Randolph MacAfee is one of the lead roles, what he thinks of being in his first play.

“I’m a little nervous but knowing my family will be there helps,” says Rodenbach. “I’m also really excited because I think this character fits me perfectly.”

The 12-year-old acts, sings and dances in the chorus and really enjoys one part of the play.

“My favorite part is the scene where my sister is about to be kissed by the main character who winds up getting punched.” 

Tickets for “Bye Bye Birdie” cost $10 and will be on sale during all lunch sessions at Felix Festa this week and will be available at the door for each performance. 


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