Roger Telsey of Great Neck stars as Conrad Birdie in "Bye Bye Birdie"

The Community Synagogue Theater Company invites you to dig out your poodle skirts and saddle shoes and return to a simpler time when Bye Bye Birdie the musical hits The Landmark on Main stage on Jan 31, Feb 4 and Feb 6. Winner of 4 Tony awards, including Best Musical, Bye Bye Birdie is the perfect show for the whole family. Inspired by Elvis Presley, Bye Bye Birdie takes place in the swinging 60’s when teen idol superstar Conrad Birdie gets drafted into the army. Birdie’s manager Albert and his secretary Rosie cook up a scheme to have Birdie sing their new hit song and get one last kiss from a lucky teenager fan on “The Ed Sullivan Show”.

Cast in the role of Conrad Birdie is Roger Telsey, who currently teaches Physical Education and coaches high school baseball and basketball in Great Neck. Recently we had a moment to sit down with Roger and ask a few questions about how he feels about portraying “the iconic king of rock and roll”.

Have you done a lot of musical theater?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved Broadway shows. In college, I did several main stage productions that made many people question why I was a Physical Education major and not a Music Theatre major. Truth be told, my parents simply couldn’t afford to send me for private vocal and acting lessons. I still remember my mother apologizing to me because she couldn’t support my dream of being on stage. Although I believed my mother’s argument made sense, I took a full year off from school to pursue stand up comedy and acting. I did very well playing clubs in New York City and Long Island. In addition, I booked several weddings but it simply was not enough to live on.

What do you do for a living?

I work at JFK Elementary School in Great Neck. I live in New Hyde Park. After twenty- five years of teaching and coaching, I can honestly say that I LOVE what I do and have no regrets.

I understand you have a son who is involved in theater?

My son Steven developed a similar desire to be on stage in 3rd grade. It has become our goal to give him what my parents weren’t able to give me. Steven is currently studying at Elon University in North Carolina pursuing a degree in Music Theatre. Elon has one of the top Music Theatre programs in the country and he is doing beautifully! Prior to attending Elon, he had an incredible high school career at Great Neck South High School playing lead roles in Cabaret, Tommy the Musical and The Drowsy Chaperone. He also landed lead roles in the full-length operas presented by the school. In his senior year, Steven won the Gershwin Award, which is like a Tony Award for high school musicals. Winning this award enabled him to perform at the Minskoff Theatre on Broadway!

And your other son, Michael, just stepped into the role of Hugo (Kim’s boyfriend)?

Yes, my 17 year old son Michael is playing Hugo, Kim’s boyfriend. He thinks it’s “cool and funny to punch my dad in the face.” (There is a scene in Bye Bye Birdie, where Hugo gets jealous of Conrad Birdie and punches Conrad in the face on The Ed Sullivan Show) Michael has no acting experience because he plays varsity baseball and volleyball. And I haven’t done any acting for quite a while, so we are having fun discovering musical theater. We are having a blast doing this show together.

How did you hear about the auditions for Bye Bye Birdie?

Kim Kaiman told me about the show. My older son, Steven pushed me to audition for Bye Bye Birdie and even sent me the sixteen bars I needed to audition for the role of Conrad. I auditioned with Don’t Be Cruel by Elvis. I am truly looking forward to showing my son what his “old man” can do! Playing a character like Conrad is going to be an awesome experience.

Bye Bye Birdie has a cast of over 35 actors with special guest appearances by local personalities. The hummable score of hit songs like “Put on A Happy Face” and “Kids” will be accompanied by a full orchestra. Performances will be at The Landmark on Main 232 Main Street in Port Washington on Sunday January 31st at 2:00 PM, Thursday February 4th at 7:00 PM and Saturday February 6th at 8:00 PM. Tickets for Bye Bye Birdie range from $27.50 to $42.50 for premium seating and are selling fast. For more information on tickets, advertising or sponsorships please visit www.commsyn.org, www.facebook.com/thecommunitysynagoguetheatercompany or call 516-883-3144 ext 359.

The Community Synagogue of Port Washington:

Founded in 1952, serves 730 families in Port Washington, NY is Port Washington’s largest Reform congregation, yet it is a place of openness to all, where each person can connect, where comfort and caring matter. It is a place of strength and beauty, of spirituality and learning, of creative possibility, a place filled with God’s spirit and human kindness.

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