Paramus High School Musicals Get Facelift with Bye Bye Birdie

There are plenty of new faces in the musical this year.

A new creative team is producing "Bye Bye Birdie," which premieres Friday in the high school auditorium.

"Fresh faces, new blood, new creative team," Michelle Sarnoski, an English teacher and the show's producer, said. "I think it's definitely stirred some interest in the school."

Sarnoski, director Joseph Ferriero, vocal director Scott Burzynksi, music director Mark Donellan, choreographer Claudine Ranierie, and the 80 students that comprise the cast, crew and it orchestra have worked non-stop over the past few weeks to prepare for Friday's premiere, putting in three hours of work after school on many days. After that, it's showtime.

For Andrew Soca, a senior playing the title role of Conrad Birdie, it will be his first time performing on stage, after having spent his first three years at Paramus High concentrating on baseball and wrestling. He left the two sports to participate in the musical.

"It's definitely the best choice I've ever made in my life, because this is very fun," he said.

Soca is just one of the new faces in the cast. Senior Kiara Monsalvos is well known for singing the national anthem at pep rallies, but will make her musical debut when she plays Rose Alvarez.

Sarnoski said she tried to get the entire high school community involved in the musical. Dr. Michal Pilacik, supervisor of math and science, is playing trombone in the pit orchestra.

The sewing club made poodle skirts, industrial arts students helped build build the expansive sets and National Honor Society members helped paint them. A stage crew of seven, unaccustomed to such large set pieces—some literally rooms of a house—overcame being short-staffed to help the musical run smoothly.

"I think we're ready for performance," junior Joanne Pan, stage manager, said. "I definitely think opening night's going to be a hit."

Bye Bye Birdie is showing Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Doors open Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $10, or $7 for senior citizens.