Youth actors bring 'Bye Bye Birdie' to life in Forsyth

"Bye Bye Birdie," opening tonight at the Rose Theater in Forsyth, features a cast of 25 young people from the Backlot Players' Own Original Youth Actors (BOOYA), ranging from sixth graders to age 27.

"The difference in working with young talent is in the way you have to get them to portray the characters," said director Elizabeth Hunter. "For a lot of them, this is their introduction to theater. They have to work on really coming out and doing a character, showing facial expressions and really coming across to the audience, coming out of their shell. I was lucky to get a lot of talented kids."

Adapted from a book written by Michael Stewart, "Bye Bye Birdie" features music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams.

The plot is loosely based on the story of Elvis Presley being drafted by the U.S. Army, including a rock 'n' roll singer, Conrad Birdie, who is about to be inducted into the Army, according to a news release. Afraid of losing his livelihood, Birdie's manager, Albert Peterson, and Peterson's girlfriend, Rosie Alvarez, devise a plan for Birdie to give one lucky fan a goodbye kiss as a publicity stunt.

Mary Persons High School senior Luke Epps plays Peterson, while sister and brother Tiffany Dean and Charles Dean play Alvarez and Birdie, respectively.

"The music is so fun and upbeat. The actors are enjoying being able to learn the choreography and participate in the group numbers. The boy who plays Birdie is having fun trying to get down the Elvis moves," Hunter said.

Dealing with the youth and the romance aspect of the plot has been interesting for Hunter, who has appeared in many shows with the Backlot Players and is directing her third youth production.

"I had to remind them they are just acting and aren't really in love and it's OK to hold hands and all. And they didn't really get the significance of 'pinning'; I had to relate it to long-term dating in more modern times."

In addition to acting, singing and dancing, the youth are helping with the costumes and sets.

"The play is set in the late '50s and early '60s, so the costumes include poodle skirts, pedal pushers and stuff like that. We had some on hand here, we're finding things in thrift shops, and some of the kids are making their own costumes," she said. "For the sets, parents and volunteers did the heavy construction and the kids are painting and making signs. We like to try to get them involved in all aspects of the show so they can see how much work goes into getting it ready."

"Bye Bye Birdie"

When: 8 p.m. Jan. 22-23, 29-30; 2 p.m. Jan. 24 and 31

Where: Rose Theater, 23 West Johnston St., Forsyth

Cost: $15 adults; $12 seniors, students and active military

Information: 478-994-0443; www.thebacklotplayers.org

This story was originally published January 21, 2016 at 6:13 PM with the headline "Youth actors bring 'Bye Bye Birdie' to life in Forsyth ."