Dynamic Cast of Students Perform a Classic Musical

NEWTOWN SQUARE–Three or four months seems like a long period of time, but when you are dealing with a cast of 40 students, 10 crew and five faculty members, time will fly. theatre teacher and director Dan Clay began this year's production of the classic musical Bye, Bye Birdie back in mid-November. 

"We had auditions mid-November and as soon as the cast list went up we began working on the show," explained senior Sarah Mezzanotte, who played an under-appreciated secretary and girlfriend Rosie Alvarez.

"Each year we try to do something different," said Clay. The faculty and the Domino Board students work together to decide what show to produce each year. Clay felt this particular show would introduce the idea and concept of "parody" to the students. Next year they may be looking at something a little more serious, but still a musical.

Clay will have no trouble getting the students to be serious. Despite the quirkiness and humor in "Bye, Bye Birdie" these high school students were very involved and professional about every aspect of the production.

Mezzanotte, in particular, plans to go onto study drama in college. She carefully examined how not just to play Rosie, but to become Rosie.

"It was an amazing process creating the character in my mind and getting to know her. It was a challenge because, obviously, she was experiencing things that I had never gone through. She is much older than me and at a different place in her life, so I had to spend a lot of time imagining how she was feeling and putting that emotion into my performance," she explained.

"I easily connected with this character because I admire a lot of her qualities," she continued. "She is a feisty, independent woman who fights for what she wants. It was so much fun to play this role and to get the chance to spend some time being Rosie."

Mezzanotte is still deciding where she will be going in the fall, but her love for drama is amazing. 

"I am so passionate about theater, and it is the only thing I would ever want to do. I have been told that if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life. This is how I feel about theater."

"Rosie" wasn't the only highlight of the show this past weekend. The cast was full of unique supporting characters that continually stole scenes. Paul Riley's performance as Mr. MacAfee (protagonist Kim McAfee's angry and overprotective father) was loud and hilarious. Riley delivered each line with great comedic timing. Also in the dynamic cast, Angira Pickens gave a sassy performance as Mrs. Mae Peterson, mother of lead character Albert Peterson.

Clay said they had individual students already in mind when deciding upon Bye, Bye Birdie. He could really see certain students in each role. Hayden Walling had the perfect teen heartthrob swagger for Conrad Birdie. Kate Ruggiero was the perfect "girl next door" as Conrad Birdie Fan Club President Kim MacAfee.

After the show, parents and family members beamed with pride at the success of the production. Senior Sarah Bernhardt's father said Saturday's matinee show was even better than Friday night's show. If the cast had pre-show jitters, they didn't let it show. Most parents said the students were excited about performing and it definitely showed.