It's not time to say 'bye' yet It's not time to say 'bye' yet (January 20, 2006)

"Bye Bye Birdie" is here for two more weeks

Elvis-style rock 'n roll star Conrad Birdie is about to be drafted into the army, but before he leaves he plans to give a typical American teenage girl a goodbye kiss on the Ed Sullivan show as one last publicity stunt. That's the story behind the classic musical "Bye Bye Birdie," which is brought to life this month by the Pleasanton Playhouse. Next week is the last chance to catch the songs, the dancing and the fun at the Amador Theater.

The whole publicity stunt is crafted by Birdie's agent Albert Peterson (Tom Reardon) and Albert's faithful secretary, Rosie Alvarez (Emily Garcia). The two find Kim MacAfee (Ashley Marie Burke) in Sweet Apple, Ohio and the crew flies out to this little town for the big moment, creating quite a stir. Nathan Hawkins leads the cast as Conrad Birdie, and makes women swoon with his sweet catch-phrases, melodic voice and iconic pompadour and sideburns. The cast also includes Marsha Howard, Dean Creighton, Morgan Breedveld, Joan Evans, Ryker Johnson, Laura Marion, Brandon Adams, Victorian King-Bowman, Rich Cook, Jay Markwart, Liz Marsh, Bob Weisman, Marti Muldoon, Maria Natale, Woody Peifer, Jenella Presley, Sarah Stoebe, Jeff Tan, Mark Bogost, Kelly Flynn, Justin Isla, Barbra Kirk, Heather Klobukowski, Alison Mackey, Jill Seagrave, Jimmy Torres, Joe Torres, Lee Torres, and Rachel Wagner.

As many musical enthusiasts will remember, "Bye Bye Birdie" was made into a movie in 1963 starring Janet Leigh, Dick Van Dyke and Ann-Margret. The film was nominated for two Oscars that year for Best Score and Best Sound.

The Pleasanton Playhouse keeps up the show's great musical tradition and fans will enjoy hearing famous songs "One Last Kiss," "Put on a Happy Face" and "How Lovely to be a Woman." Greg Zema leads the musical direction and Christina Lazo choreographed the piece. The whole show was directed by Steve Shearer and produced by Kathleen Breedveld. -Rebecca Guyon
Going to the show

When: Jan. 20-29, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday

Where: Amador Theater, 1155 Santa Rita Rd.

Tickets: Visit www.pleasantonplayhouse.com or call 484-4486

Cost: $28 for adults, $26 for seniors 60 or older, $20 for juniors 18 or younger. Discounts are available for groups of 20 or more

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