Broadway musical comedy Bye Bye Birdie
#LSN_Arts
THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO - May 25, 2018 (LSN) Rotary dial telephones are ringing as this week the senior actors of Paramount Live moved into the theatre as they are putting the finishing touches on their year’s end musical of the Broadway musical comedy Bye Bye Birdie. “It’s coming together beautifully” said director Candi Badanai who explained that this weekend they go into technical and full dress rehearsals in preparation for their opening night performance on Wednesday May 30th. “We still have a little more to do and a couple costumes that are getting their final stitches in place, but I think audiences who have come to enjoy our past senior productions such as Sister Act, Into The Woods, or Addams Family will truly enjoy this wholesome family musical” said Candi Badanai.
Bye Bye Birdie is the story of Conrad Birdie (Luke Semeschuk), a rock ‘n’ roll idol much like Elvis Presley. After his managers (Adam Couture and Katherine Nemec) learn that he has been inducted into the army, they come up with a publicity stunt. Conrad is to bid a typical teenage girl goodbye with a public farewell kiss, and they randomly select young Kim McAfee (Natalie St.Jacques). This causes lots of excitement in the small town, and for Kim and her new steady, Hugo Peabody (Dante Papa). Hit songs include “Put on a Happy Face” and “One Last Kiss.”
“It is always incredible to see our shows and our students come together over these months and dedicate themselves to make these incredible musicals” said director Candi Badanai who is also the Artistic Director of Paramount Live. “This show and these young adults is what gets me excited every day we have a rehearsal. They make theatre fun and make it fun to participate in. It’s their love of making friends, making theatre and great memories together that is beautiful.” Paramount Live is a leading theatre education troupe in Thunder Bay whose mission is to foster young adults theatrical education through the delivery of working together to produce theatre shows. That includes training from dancing, singing, and acting. But it doesn’t stop there as many of the actors also help build the sets, and run backstage on the productions. “It’s really just is a big theatrical family where everyone helps each other out” said Badanai.
Bye Bye Birdie plays at the Paramount Theatre (Maple Tops) from May 30th to June 2, 2018 with curtain time at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at Maple Tops in advance or at the door. Tickets are $20 adults and $15 for students and seniors.
