1982-1986

Neshoba Democrat, Philadelphia, Miss., March 12, 1986, SD

'Bye Bye Birdie' Production Planned April 9-12 at ECJC

into a spin. The MacAfee household is completely upset by the visiting dignitary. It is decided that Birdie will give his "One Last Kiss" on the Ed Sullivan Show. Kim's father who laments the whole uproar, tries to break into the act and behaves like a ham on the TV show. "Hymn for a Sunday Evening" is a salute to the greater glory of Ed Sullivan. Birdie becomes disgusted with his life and sprints out on the town with the teenagers. He feels tense with Albert and is tired of being watched over. The parents of Sweet Apple can– not understand the new generation and express this in "Kids" . Rosie, still waiting for that band of gold from Albert after eight years, invades a Shriners' meeting. An extremely hilarious ballet ensues. She then decides to become the Latin American spitfire that she is painted as by Albert's catastrophe rid– den mother. She is determined to become "Spanish Rose" . Kim is reunited with Hugo and Rose with

East Central Junior College will present its 17th annual all-student pro– duction, 'Bye Bye Birdie', April 9 through April U at 1:30 p. m. in the Fine Arts auditorium. Interviews and auditions were recently held on campus. Capturing the lead male and female roles were Mike Kirkland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kirkland and Stacie Therrell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ther– rell, both of Philadelphia. Other cast members include Lori Harrell, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lavell Harrell of Decatur; Scottie Chunn, son of Mrs. Margaret Chunn of Philadelphia; Roxanna Manning, daughter of Mrs. Caroline Manning of Philadelphia; Alben Roland, son of Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Roland of Morton; Nelda Germany, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Germany of Union; Boyd Germany, son of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Germany of Jackson; Stan Davis, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Davis of Morton; Wendy Smith, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Eddie Smith of Decatur; Tobias Pace, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Pace of Forest; Tammie Covington, daughter of Mrs. Ruth Covington of Philadelphia; and Annette Hurley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Hurley of Union. 'Bye Bye Birdie' is one of the most captivating musical shows of our time. It tells the story of a rock and roll singer who is about to be inducted in– to the army. The singer, Conrad Birdie, an Elvis Presley type, played by Scottie Chunn, has a pompadour and thick sideburns. He wears gaudy gold costumes and speaks in a rugged voice. Albert Peterson, his agent, por– trayed by Mike Kirkland , is a very pleasant, mild mannered type. It is his faithful secretary, Rose Grant, played by Stacie Therrell, that keeps him and Birdie moving forward in the world. Rosie eoncocts one final national publicity plan before Con– rad 's induction. He will bid a typical American teen-age girl goodbye with an all-American kiss. Kim McAfee, portrayed by Roxanna Manning, from Sweet Apple, Ohio wins the honor. She is a fetching girl who sings with springlike ardor " How Lovely To Be A Woman," as she pulls on the plaid woolen socks and the baggy mustard colored sweater that characterize loveliness on young ladies of the day. The arrival of Birdie in Sweet Ap– ple causes wholesome swoonings, by both the old and the young. Birdie says that his success is due to the fact that he is " Honestly Sincere" when he sings, and the quiet little town goes

Albert in the lovely number "Rosie". Other hit numbers include, "A Lot of Livin' to Do" and "Put On a Happy Face" . The viewpoint of 'Bye Bye Birdie' is satirical but not malicious. It gives an insight into the everyday life that is very much part of us.

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