Birdie Soars at Sachem North

When the Roundabout Theatre Company opened the current Broadway season with Adams and Strouse's Bye Bye Birdie, critics and theatre-goers couldn't believe that the cast of television and movie names rendered a performance that was downright lethargic.

There were great color schemes on stage and the sets were imaginative, but people were left to ponder why this show was such a tremendous hit when it premiered in 1960. 

Not only was the original show a Tony Award-winning success, but it yielded a popular film version and a more recent made-for-television production.  The Roundabout presentation had people shaking their heads as to why they'd liked it so much 'way back when. The answer was found on the stage of Sachem High School North, where Birdie was performed this weekend:  the show is good.

With a youthful cast and some incredibly fine voices, this production of Bye Bye Birdie had all the verve that was missing from the Broadway revival.  With a score that included "Put On A Happy Face," "A Lot of Livin' To Do," "Kids,"  "One Boy," and "Honestly Sincere," this musical was a bouncy and energetic affair that included some memorable characterizations and a story that was constantly engaging.

In the role that started Dick Van Dyle on the road to stardom, Grant Lindeman was a complete pleasure.  He delivered the comic lines with aplomb and possessed an excellent singing voice.  In fact, "Baby, Won't You Talk To Me" has never sounded better.  As a dancer, Lindeman was extremely comfortable executing the fine choreography of Michael Burke. 

As his belabored secretary, Rose Alvarez, Laura Laureano gave a completely professional-quality performance.  Her singing voice was astonishing and her rendition of "An English Teacher" may have taxed her lower register but it was every bit as excellent as what Patti LuPone currently performs in her concerts. 

Miss Laureano traded barbs with Albert's mother (marvelously played by Marissa Girgus) with such vitriol that one expected a cat fight to begin at any moment.  It's sad that she wasn't able to show more of her dancing and clowning skills in the iconic "Shriner's Ballet" which was cut from this production.

Victoria Isernia made a delightful Kim Macafee, the teenaged girl who was chosen to receive a farewell kiss from teen icon Conrad Birdie before he was drafted into the Army.  With a voice that was charmingly sweet, she made "One Boy" a highlight of the production.  She also did an exemplary job with "How Lovely To Be A Woman" which happily retained the sight gag that was missing from the recent Broadway version.

As Conrad Birdie, a character modeled after Elvis Presley, Christian Terra gave his character's appeal to teenaged girls great credibility.  He did a superb job with his vocals and captured the essence of the superstar he was portraying.  James Stumper, playing a befuddled father of two, had some effectively comic moments and Ryan Cavanaugh was nothing short of terrific as a jealous teenaged boyfriend.

The singing and dancing chorus sounded and looked great and credit has to be given to the musical preparation and direction of Gerard Giglio and Paul Hedemark. Their efforts yielded great rewards.

Of course, the tasks of directing and staging a high school production are gargantuan, and Denise Cortez and Jonathan Chiaramonte have to be given lauds. They put together an outstanding show and reminded us that Bye Bye Birdie is a pretty nifty musical when it's cast properly and has voices to send it soaring.

BYE BYE BIRDIE will also presented again on Saturday evening at 7:30 at Sachem High School North.