OPA to Present BYE BYE BIRDIE, 4/4-6

It is 1958 and beloved, dreamy, rock star Conrad Birdie has to leave the music business because he has been drafted into the military. Before he leaves for foreign shores Conrad will kiss one of his fans goodbye on a popular live TV Show and all will be fantastic, maybe.

The upbeat, fun frolic "Bye Bye Birdie" won a Tony Award for best musical in 1961, and has been performed on screen and on stages across the country. Olmsted Performing Arts (OPA) has assembled a cast of talented youth singers and dancers - as well as a youth, teen and adult chorus section - that will get the stage hopping and have attendees dancing long after they leave the auditorium from one of the four performances of "Bye Bye Birdie" at the Olmsted Performing Arts Center (OPAC).

"From the acting to the singing to the dancing this show is a must see!" says director Megan Hyde, a dance and theatre veteran who has directed and choreographed more than eight productions at OPA, and had starring roles in OPA productions of "Beauty and the Beast" and "White Christmas." "Bye Bye Birdie is a fun, high-energy show that is great for all ages. It has been such a treat to work with this talented cast. I cannot wait for opening night."

The "Bye Bye Birdie" cast features OPA music and theatre students, as well as community members from the area. Cast members include Bailey Hyde as Albert Peterson, Abbi Cavanaugh as Rosie Alvarez, Paige Boehm as Kim MacAfee, Jake Ingrassia as Conrad Birdie and Neil Spooner as Hugo Peabody. The cast will be performing exciting and ear pleasing versions of "Honestly Sincere," "Kids," "One Boy" and all the beloved songs from the musical. Join us at the OPAC to catch all the fun.

The "Bye Bye Birdie" production team includes producer, Angela Boehm, and technical director Bob Foraker.

Showtimes of "Bye Bye Birdie" at OPA are April 4 at 7 p.m., April 5 at 2 and 7 p.m., and April 6 at 7 p.m.. For 90 minutes before each show there will be a "50s Soda Shop" performance with dancing waitresses, a barber shop quarter, the OPA version of Elvis Presley and refreshments in the OPAC lobby.

Tickets to "Bye Bye Birdie" are $12.25 - $16.25 and available now online at http://www.olmstedperformingarts.com or over the phone by calling (440) 235-6722.

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