Deerpath Middle School Rocks With 'Bye, Bye Birdie'

Dust off your saddle shoes and break out the hair cream! It’s 1958 and teen singing swoon-sation Conrad Birdie has been drafted into the Army.

But first he’s going to kiss Sweet Apple, Ohio sweetie Kim good-bye and single-handedly save Almaelou Music from bankruptcy by singing Albert’s new song on the Ed Sullivan Show.

It’s the musical "Bye, Bye Birdie" as presented by Brainstormers at 7 p.m. Thursday (April 28) and Friday (April 29).

Tickets are $7 each and available at Deerpath Middle School's east or west offices, or at the door. Friday’s show usually sells out, so people are advised to get them ahead of time.

Fifty fifth through eighth graders have been rockin’ and rollin’ over the past three months, preparing songs and dance numbers, sets and costumes. Deerpath Middle School music and drama teachers Ben Gray, Jean Hersey and Deb Smith direct the production.

An additional 10 students help out with technical, lighting, and stage work, under the guidance of Christi Geidner, also a Deerpath Middle School drama teacher. Gray also directs the pit orchestra and Pamela Gaul choreographed the show.

The cast includes: Lauren Abbattista, Lizzie Allen, Ellie Annibali, Ava Applebaum, Alexandra Best, Blair Bund, Reed Burns, Forrest Christian, Charlie Daniels, Ellie Diefenbach, Timi Douvlis, Landon Edwards, Jack Ford, Grace Franzese, Maggie Garcia, James Gretz, Victoria Glass, Lilah Henry, Nicole Karkazis, Hannah Kelley, Carter Kenehan, Riley Kenehan, George Kolasa, Rachel Larson, Matthew LeMay, Katie Lovell, Emily Mangione, Daniella Martino, Lilly McAveeney, Ryan McKiernan., Maddy Moore, Elizabeth Moorman, Matt Musacchio, Grace Nowesnick, Carter Oakley, Spencer Oakley, Grant Papstefan, Anna Grace Passalino, Kohlton Perkins, Dana Pepowski, Robert Piechota, Anna Poulton, Catherine Pompe van Meerdervoort, Allison Sparrow, Gracie Stockton, Helene Sudac, Andrew Traynor, Jenna Vangalis, Anna Volkmann, Hayley Ward, Rebecca Weiss, and Jessica Zarek.