Students Gear Up For ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ Musical

Students at Pennwood Middle School are gearing up for their production of “Bye Bye Birdie.”

Nearly 100 students, 70 in the cast and 30 behind the scenes are coming together to put together the performance for the Pennsbury School District community. According to the actors, the students have been working 10 hours every week recently as the date of the show has grown nearer.

“The commitment from this cast and crew during these past months has been extraordinary. We are thrilled to share the fun we’ve had creating it with everyone in the community. It’s such an enjoyable, up beat show. You really won’t want to miss out on the great entertainment as these boys and girls will keep the Pennwood theater rockin” said director of the musical and gym teacher Brian Davis.

The story of the musical follows Conrad Birdie after he is drafted into military service and before he reports for duty. Many of the set pieces are custom made and the show will feature live musicians.

“This is a really good play and it has been going very well,” said Grace Lombardi, the eight grader playing Rose Alvarez in the show. Of the shows she has performed, “Bye Bye Birdie” is her favorite.

Abby Leach is an eight grader playing Kim MacAfee. “I think everyone is really talented,” Leach said of her peers. Although the kids are disciplined, Leach is glad that the kids still are able to have fun and remain friends.

“You have to be your very best,” AJ Rivera, who plays Albert Peterson, said of being a lead. He added that he has really enjoyed his time being involved with the plays in school.

Madison Russell  is a seventh grader playing Mrs. Mae Peterson. She got involved with school plays at the middle school level in 6th grade and continued this year. Even though it’s a large time commitment, she feels it is time well spent. “It’s really fun and I wouldn’t want to spend my time otherwise,” she said.

Davis was involved with musicals in 2006, but took years off while he was busy with his own kids. This is his first year back directing the school musical.

Students first began rehearsals for “Bye Bye Birdie” in November.

The musical is set to be performed Friday, March 31 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Pennwood Middle School, which is located at 1523 Makefield Road in Lower Makefield (Yardley.) Tickets can be purchased in advanced (one sale is Tuesday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the school) and will also be sold at the door in advance of the show starting.