Published: January 26, 2010 08:26 pm      

TCSF students to perform 'Birdie'

TRAVERSE CITY -- "I can probably sing every song..."

For Misha (McCormick) Blodgett watching her son, Jordan, rehearse for "Bye Bye Birdie" is a trip down memory lane.

The spring of her junior year at St. Francis High School, in 1981, Blodgett was a chorus member in the musical. Twenty-nine years later, her son, a senior, will portray Albert, a main character in a show she had hoped the school would present before he graduated.

"It's a lot different, this cast is a lot more animated," Blodgett said, adding of musical theater: "It was fun, a lot of fun. I think this is great for kids, you develop great friendships."

Unlike nearly three decades ago, this production's 45 cast members are drawn from all over the school: sports teams, marching band, Kiwanis Key Club, student government as well as the school's choral program. In addition, some junior high students are members of the chorus.

Blodgett recalled that the original "Bye Bye Birdie" cast was comprised of the "marching band and theater kids." Nowadays, theater is cool for everyone and many of the school's high-achievers want to do it all.

"They're a lot more over-scheduled than we were," Blodgett said.

Students appreciate that "Bye Bye Birdie" is set in a more modern venue, the 1950s, versus the previous three annual shows of "Meet Me In St. Louis," "Music Man," and "Cinderella."

"It's more upbeat," said Jordan Blodgett, a veteran of multiple productions.

Senior Sean Paquet portrays the show's foundational Elvis-like character of Conrad during his third foray into the school's annual musical. This year's faster-paced show requires the ability to belt out songs while performing high-energy dance moves, a step up for all involved this year.

"To coordinate the singing and dancing and keep the kids' attention spans is a little bit tougher but a lot more fun," he said.

Conveying her character's message has challenged Laura Witkop, who portrays Kim, one of the female leads in the double cast show.

"The vocals aren't the challenging part, it's getting the message across through a song," said the senior, who taps experiences in her own life to convey the needed emotion or nuance.

Holly Olszewski, the schools' new choral director, appreciates that the show features a variety of music, including swing, blues and rock 'n' roll. The opportunity to participate in the musical is a bonding one that unites the school, not just choral students.

"The drama portion of the program, for a school this size it's really a wonderful opportunity that brings the whole school together," she said.

Debuting on Broadway in 1960, "Bye Bye Birdie" just closed a long, successful revival on Broadway. The topics of teen angst, love and longing are timeless, still relevant despite the show's setting during the Eisenhower administration.

"Kids are kids no matter what the era is," said show director Jenn Miles, who held auditions in October and set a long production cycle to accommodate participants' busy schedules.

"The music is fun, the costumes and sets are fun," she said.

"Bye Bye Birdie" will run for six shows in St. Francis High School's Kohler Auditorium: 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Feb. 12, 13, 19 and 20 and 2 p.m. on Sundays, Feb. 14 and 21. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students 18 and under. Call the box office at 941-9875 Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.