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Viewfinder: 'Bye Bye Birdie' Nests In Brighton

The ever-popular musical "Bye Bye Birdie" will be performed by Brighton High School students beginning Friday.

The Brighton Center for the Performing Arts at Brighton High School will be home to a much-loved Tony award winning musical beginning this weekend. Bye Bye Birdie opens on Friday, April 29 and celebrates the music, energy and rock 'n' roll fun of the late '50s, and offers a satirical look at the conflict between '50s rebel rock 'n' roll and small-town conservatism.

The musical was inspired by singer and movie idol Elvis Presley and the widespread teen angst caused by his draft notice into the army in 1957. The book is by Michael Stewart, with lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse.

This production is co-directed by Michelle Holowicki and Matthew Brady, both teachers at , with assistance from acting director Kelli Falls. Falls is a vocal music teacher at Three Fires Middle School in Howell.

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The story follows rock 'n' roll superstar and teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie (Tyler Smith) in the days before he ships out to join the army. Before he leaves, his agent, Albert Petersen (Peter Jay) and his secretary/love interest Rosie Alvarez (McKayla Kremidas) concoct one last publicity stunt.

One teen fan will receive a goodbye kiss from Conrad on the nationally televised Ed Sullivan Show. The lucky winner is small town girl and card-carrying member of the Conrad Birdie fan club, Kim MacAfee (Lauren Larsen).

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As Birdie arrives and is greeted by a cadre of screaming teenaged girls, chaos ensues in the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio. Kim's new steady, Hugo Peabody (Harrison Jones) turns green with jealousy at the thought of Kim kissing Birdie on national television, parents go a little crazy at the prospect of sudden fame and Birdie decides to teach the local teens how to party, rock 'n' roll style.

Performances are April 29, 30 and May 6, 7 at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinees on May 1 and 8 at 4:30 p.m. Tickets, $15 for adults and $13 for seniors and students, are available at the door or online at www.brightonmusical.com.

The April 30 performance includes a Red Carpet Gala ticket option for audience members 21 and over. Tickets for this special event are $37.50 and include a walk on the red carpet to the VIP seating area, a backstage tour, a meet and greet event with principal cast members and the show's producers and creative team and an adult afterglow party complete with hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

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