Simsbury Summer Theater to Perform 'Bye Bye Birdie'

Local performers participating in the Simsbury Summer Theater are hard at work rehearsing their lines and fine tuning their moves for this year's production of 'Bye Bye Birdie.'

A cast of 70 local students ages 14-22 will take the stage at Werner Centennial Theater from August 1-4 after six weeks of rehearsal and stage preparation to tell the story of Conrad Birdie, a young rock star who is about to join the military.

Although the students are working hard for three hours a day, four days a week focused on perfecting the performance, Cameron Forman, 17, and Samantha Monroe, 17, said summer theater is something they look forward to every year.

Monroe and Forman have participated in the summer theater for the past four years, performing in productions of 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,' 'Oliver,' and 'Pippin.' Both students are especially excited for this year's performance.

"'Bye Bye Birdie' is just a really fun show to be in," Monroe said. "It's the 50's so the time period is just fun itself and there's a lot dancing and I love the songs. It's going to draw a lot of people to it because it's a family-friendly show."

Due to the size of the cast for this year's show, Nancy Grandin, president of the theater's board of directors, said the group decided to assign "Birdie Buddies," or mentors to help support new members of the community theater.

"We have 41 new kids this year, which is the largest group we've had in a long time," Grandin said.

"Every new member gets an older member to help guide them. It's kind of scary sometimes when you come in and you don't know anyone and it's nice to have that person who you can ask a question or talk to," Monroe said. Both Monroe and Forman have been involved with the theater for the past four years.

Monroe was first inspired to join the theater after she attended a Simsbury Summer Theater performance and hopes to encourage others to get involved.

"It's a really awesome opportunity. Not every town gets to do this," Monroe said.

Students who participate in the theater group not only perform in the productions but also participate in fundraisers, help build sets, and assist with ticket sales, Grandin said.

Forman said he is drawn to the theater not only for the opportunity to act but also for the community element that comes with working with his peers.

"Every year it's a different group of people and that's what I look forward to the most," Forman said.

'Bye Bye Birdie' will be performed at the Werner Centennial Theater at Westminster School at 7:30 p.m. August 1-4 with a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday August 4. For more information about the production or to purchase tickets visit the Simsbury Summer Theater website.