Get Ready to Rock with Bye Bye Birdie

• WHO: KW Musical Productions
• WHAT: Bye Bye Birdie
• WHEN: February 12th to 21st at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
• TICKETS: $35 plus HST
• BOX OFFICE: 519-747-7788
• ONLINE: www.kwmp.ca

WATERLOO REGION – Before Beatlemania, before Bieber Fever, came the original rock ‘n’ roll heartthrob, the one and only Conrad Birdie. KW Musical Productions brings you back to the 1950s with the Tony-Award Winning musical comedy Bye Bye Birdie at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse. On stage from February 12th to 21st, this is one musical hit you won’t want to miss.

Bye Bye Birdie centres around rock ‘n’ roll superstar Conrad Birdie (loosely based on Elvis Presley), who, to the dismay of his adoring fans, is about to be drafted into the army by Uncle Sam. Birdie’s manager, Albert, and his secretary/girlfriend, Rosie, cook up a plan to send him off in style with a hit new song and one last kiss from a lucky fan on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” A town full of colourful characters including crazed teenagers, a jealous boyfriend, and spotlight stealing father make for a rollicking good time.

The upbeat score of Bye Bye Birdie features classic songs such as “Put On A Happy Face,” “A Lot of Livin’ To Do,” “The Telephone Hour,” “Kids,” and “One Last Kiss.” Winner of 4 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Bye Bye Birdie will keep you humming these classic tunes for days.

“If you loved Hairspray, you won’t want to miss Bye Bye Birdie,” says John Bigelow, President of KW Musical Productions. “Delightfully humorous and wildly entertaining; this family musical brings you back to a simpler time.”

The story is anchored by Tim Clarke as Conrad’s bumbling manager Albert, the role made famous by Dick Van Dyke. Local jazz singer Rebecca Binnendyk takes on the leading role of his sultry secretary and would-be fiancée Rosie. Binnendyk is well known for her stellar voice and charisma having performed regularly in town at The Jazz Room, as well as in the U.S. and overseas. The show further stars Reuben Eby as the teen idol superstar Conrad Birdie and Sarah Bowman as Kim, the lucky fan who gets to give Birdie one last kiss. Trevor Middleton plays Kim’s boyfriend Hugo, Rob Bridel and Sarah Willett portray her father and mother, and Ryan O’Donnell joins the family as Kim’s little brother Randolph. Other leads include Amy Leis as Kim’s best friend Ursula, Shelagh Ranalli as Mae Peterson, and Amie Debrone as Gloria.

This show features a cast of over 40 local actors including Jocelyn Bannon, Caitlin Bergauer, Conor Bergauer, Nathan Chaytor, Shaylynn Diebolt, Gabe Guerra, Maya Holmes, Charlotte Kingston, Kelsi Knowles, Madeline Lehmann, Kayla Liebig, Ciara Moules, Monika Plauszta, Destiny Rettinger, Hayley Sopik, Ruth Tierney, and Alten Wilmot in the Teen Chorus. Diana Barber, Amy Barber-MacLean, John Bigelow, Steve Brown, Sebastian Mateus, Gabe Namtu, John Payne, Amy Sproule, and Randy Streich round out the talented adult ensemble.

The creative team for Bye Bye Birdie includes Director David Atkins, Music Director Michael Brown and Choreographer Christine Watson. The 1950s set is designed by Samantha Burson with complementary lighting design by Laura Johnson-Sherratt and lavish period costumes designed by Ann MacKenzie. Props created by Claudia Riggi with hair, wigs and make-up by Ene Billings. Nadene Riehl is the Stage Manager with Ian Huggins, and Stephanie Bradshaw as Assistant Stage Managers.

For the past 66 years, KW Musical Productions has given local residents an opportunity to shine both on and offstage. No one in the cast is a professional performer and for the majority of the production team theatre is not their full time job. Having successfully produced over 75 productions since 1948, KWMP continues to stay true to its mandate and provide community members of every age and background the opportunity “to experience and participate in high quality musical theatre.”

“You don’t need to have any experience to be involved with KWMP, just a passion for musical theatre,” says Bigelow. “I encourage anyone who is interested in being involved onstage and off to contact us through our website – we are always happy to welcome new members. Our members not only have a fabulous time putting on shows, but also form lasting friendships.”

Bye Bye Birdie is proudly sponsored by Ottawa Heritage Dental, Swanson’s Home Hardware Building Centre, Rogers Radio Group including 96.7 CHYM FM, 106.7 Country and 570 News, 98.5 CKWR, The Waterloo Region Record, Kitchener Post and the Waterloo Chronicle. One For The Wall Photography is the photography sponsor.

Don’t miss the knee slapping excitement of this smash hit family musical. Bye Bye Birdie is on stage at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse from February 12th to 21st. Tickets are $35 plus HST and can be purchased online at www.kwmp.ca, in person at the Drayton Entertainment Box Office, or by calling 519-747-7788.

For more information please contact:
Brenden Sherratt
Publicist, KW Musical Productions
marketing (at) kwmp.ca
519-591-0095

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