Farmington Hills

Harrison students put on ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ this weekend

By David Wallace
C & G Staff Writer

» Click on image to view full size « Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Conrad Birdie sweeps Kim MacAfee off her feet and drives her dad crazy in “Bye Bye Birdie.” Harrison High School is putting on the classic musical Jan. 26-29. Photo by Patricia O’Blenes Conrad Birdie sweeps Kim MacAfee off her feet and drives her dad crazy in “Bye Bye Birdie.” Harrison High School is putting on the classic musical Jan. 26-29.

FARMINGTON HILLS — Those looking for some entertainment this weekend, and maybe some nostalgia for the days when screaming girls would drown out Elvis Presley, can find it at Harrison High School Jan. 26-29.

The students are producing four shows of “Bye Bye Birdie,” the classic musical inspired by Presley being drafted in 1958.

Putting a spin on the situation, the musical’s teenage heartthrob, Conrad Birdie, has been drafted into the Army, but he holds a contest to give a girl from his fan club his last kiss before he joins. Kim MacAfee from Sweet Apple, Ohio, wins the contest.

“There’s a contest, and Kim is the winner, which means she gets to kiss Conrad Birdie. It’s ironic, because in the first scene you find out that she’s given up Conrad Birdie for good, because she’s pinned to Hugo Peabody,” said Kate Kreiss, a freshman who plays Kim.

Of course, Kim’s enthusiasm for Birdie returns.

“Kim is 15, and she really wants to grow up. She’s ready to be mature, and she actually sings a whole song about how great it is to be a woman. But throughout the play, you kind of see her struggling with herself; like, is she a woman, is she still a child?” said Kreiss.

Senior Maurice Dowell plays the magnetic Birdie.

“He’s like an Elvis figure —kind of rock ‘n’ roll, kind of arrogant, kind of full of himself. I like playing it because I like to think that it’s different from my personality. I don’t think I’m snooty or arrogant. So it’s like a good challenge portraying someone so different from myself,” said Dowell.

This is Dowell’s first musical lead role, though as part of the school’s dance company, he was a backup dancer in past productions.

“It’s my senior year, so I said, ‘Why not?’” he said.

“I think I’ve grown a lot. Two months ago, I couldn’t see myself on the stage singing and dancing in front of a packed house. But I think it’s definitely helped me grow in terms of performing. Even as a dancer, I gained new qualities,” said Dowell, who has won the respect of his classmates.

“My favorite song might have to be ‘Honestly Sincere.’ It’s only Conrad’s song, but that whole scene, it’s amazing. Our Conrad really plays it up and does it quite well,” said junior Erin Lightner, a veteran of many musicals who plays Doris MacAfee, Kim’s mom.

“We all start dancing and screaming and freaking out. By the end of the song, every single person on stage except for one, not counting Conrad, is passed out on the ground,” said Kreiss.

There are other zany characters in the comedy, such as Ursula Merkle.

“Ursula is Kim’s best friend. She is absolutely and completely totally obsessed with Conrad Birdie,” said freshman Margaret Merogi, who plays the star-struck character.

The cast had good things to say about the music.

“It’s kind of all over the place, actually. There’s a scene that’s just a classic Elvis-style rock song, but then there’s also one of my songs that’s, I want to say, sort of like Vaudeville,” said Jon Opra, a senior who plays Kim’s dad.

“There’s a lot of diversity in the music in this, which is good,” said Lightner.

Performances will be held at 8 p.m. Jan. 26, 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27-28, and 2 p.m. Jan. 29. Tickets cost $12 for adults, $10 for students and seniors. Call (248) 888-6274 for tickets.

You can reach C & G Staff Writer David Wallace at dwallace@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1053.