THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2008
Footlighters Perform 'Bye Bye Birdie' At Prairie Lakes
By DENISE FLEISCHER
Lifestyle Editor
Footlighters Theatre Company will present "Bye Bye Birdie" from July 18-26 at the Prairie Lakes Theater, 515 E. Thacker St., in Des Plaines.
The production of the Broadway musical is the sixth show for Footlighters. It was chosen because the youth that adore "Grease" and "High School Musical" can relate to the time period and what it's like to be a fan of a celebrity.
"Bye Bye Birdie," which hit Broadway and the big screen, focuses on Conrad Birdie, a 50's era rock and roll singer drafted into the Army. Before he leaves for duty, his manager plans a promotional strategy on the Ed Sullivan Show. Not only will he sing a song that will be well remembered, but he'll kiss one lucky All-American teenage girl. That "to die for" kiss turns a small Ohio town upside down with celebrity fever and provides the storyline for the musical's characters. In the leading roles are Mark Pontarelli as Conrad Birdie, Carolyn Miller as Kim MacAfee and Stefan Hyde as Kim's boyfriend.
Footlighters organizers estimate that 2,000 people from Des Plaines and the surrounding communities will attend the two weekends of performances.
Directing the musical is Jack Lampert. For 30 years he has directed plays and musicals in theaters throughout the United States. The last 12 years have been in the Chicago area. As Footlighters' director he is determined for the group to be involved in larger productions. His contributions are the addition of adult actors to what had been a children's company, as well as merging more professional elements to the productions.
Lampert considers Prairie Lakes Theater not only a beautiful space, but excellent in terms of acoustics and sightlines.
"It's absolutely one of the best of the local theaters, and is one of the reasons I am so excited to be part of the Footlighters company," Lampert said. He added that the park district supports Footlighters 100%.
"We're committed to providing a place where young actors can learn about live theatre, and hone their skills performing in first-rate productions," stated Lampert. "Working with actors to create a show that audiences enjoy is what it's all about for me. Nothing is more exciting, or rewarding, than seeing the audience connect to the actors and become engaged in the 'suspension of disbelief' that is so critical to the theatre. When we're able to achieve that in our shows it's a wonderful feeling for everyone. It's why we do what we do."
Footlighters is the resident theater company of the Des Plaines Park District. Forty-five years ago it was known as Footlighter's Children's Theatre. Volunteers presented two shows a year at Rand Park, Bog Theatre and now at Prairie Lakes. Under Lampert's direction, more ambitious shows have been produced and more adults round out the cast.
The company's main goal is to "offer new and returning thespians an opportunity to shine on stage." It does this through auditions, which net 120 actors, singers and dancers. Lampert, the musical director, Kory Heitzig, and choreographer, Mary Baumgardner, selected nearly 50 cast members. The company had rehearsals for five weeks and one week of dress rehearsals before opening night, July 18 at 8 p.m.
The cast includes residents from Des Plaines, Mt. Prospect, Elk Grove, Schaumburg, Rolling Meadows, Park Ridge, Glenview, Norridge and Chicago. Performing are:
Mark Pontarelli as Conrad Birdie; Wayne Goble - Albert Peterson; Christy Schwartz - Rosie Alvarez; Carolyn Miller - Kim MacAfee; Stefan Hyde - Hugo; Jeff Rachman - Mr. MacAfee; Lisanne Roth - Mrs. MacAfee; Dona Mullen - Mae Peterson; Jen Hyde - Mrs. Merkle; Chris Henn - Mayor; Samantha Goble - Mayor's Wife; Janice Feldman - Gloria; Sammi Gassel - Ursula Merkle; Becky Johnson - Sad Girl; Margaret Juravic - Deborah Sue; Spencer Kasper - Randolf; Jim Kolnik - Harvey Johnson; Brianna Voss - Margie; Ashton Wagner - Alice.
Chorus members include: Tami Boyce, David Bremer, Rebecca Bremer, Zachary Clark, Angela Deknock, Kelly Dunne, Emma Frey, Grace Goble, Livvie Goble, Bailey Guenther, Brand Gustus, Liza Henn, Anna Hyde, Benjamin Hyde, Christian Hyde, Sophie Hyde, Jessica Jacobsen, Brittney Kestler, Mark Kestler, Ryan Kestler, Jake Kulbersh, Megan Lanam, Alexis Monical, Kathryn Moro, Beth Pauze, Brandon Roth, Erika Roth, Elena Sasso, Lisa Sasso, Paul Sasso, Elizabeth Stenholt, Max Ulbert, Tony Ulbert, Deanna Voss, Kathy Voss and Kristina Voss.
Performances are on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at Prairie Lakes Theater box office. For more information, call 847-391-5711.