Plum High School preparing for presentation of spring musical, 'Bye Bye Birdie'

Plum High School students are wrapping up rehearsals for this year’s spring musical, “Bye Bye Birdie.”

It’s been close to 20 years since Plum has performed the 1960 musical comedy. Set in 1958, its story is influenced by Elvis Presley being drafted into the Army at the height of his popularity in 1957.

“It seems to be making a big resurgence,” said John DeLuce, a choir teacher who has directed Plum’s musicals for about 25 years.

Tickets went on sale online at the beginning of March at Ticket Leap. Three performances are scheduled, beginning at 7 p.m. April 11, 12 and 13. Tickets cost $10 plus a $1.50 fee.

The two-act show runs about two hours.

About 100 students are involved in staging the production. The 52-member cast includes a variety of students, from freshmen through seniors. This year’s musical follows last year’s presentation of “Fiddler on the Roof.”

“Bye Bye Birdie” was one of a few shows considered for this year, DeLuce said.

”We look for opportunities to get the most students involved,” he said. “We were looking for something a little more fun, a little more teen-centered.”

While the teens in “Bye Bye Birdie” live in the 1950s, the themes are applicable to kids today, DeLuce said. There are a few references and some vocabulary the cast members weren’t familiar with, but it’s otherwise relatable.

“Believe it or not, they all know who Elvis is,” he said.

After what he described as a “heavy” show with “Fiddler” last year, DeLuce said Birdie is “silly.”

“It pokes fun at teens from the ’50s,” he said. “There’s so many little subjects that run through it and so many bizarre, over-the-top personalities.”

“Bye Bye Birdie” is senior Brylee Hendry’s fourth musical at Plum High School. She portrays a lead character, Rose “Rosie” Alvarez, secretary to the character Albert Peterson, being played by sophomore Damian Collier.

“I feel like this one is probably my favorite so far,” said Hendry, 18, of Plum.

In the story, Rosie helps Albert come up with a publicity stunt to save his firm when his client, rock ’n’ roll superstar and teen idol Conrad Birdie, is drafted into the Army.

Birdie is the second musical for Collier, 15, of Plum, after being in “Fiddler” last year. For his portrayal of Albert, he has drawn inspiration from Dick Van Dyke, a member of the original Broadway cast who reprised the role for the 1963 film.

“He took each song and made it his own and sounded amazing,” Collier said.

Hendry, who plans to major in musical theater in college, described Rosie as a well-rounded character with admirable traits.

“I like how she’s not afraid to stick up for herself,” she said. “She gets what she wants.”

Rehearsals have been going well, Hendry said. With showtime quickly approaching, she’s confident everyone will be ready.

“Everybody’s working really hard,” she said. “It’s going to be good.”

While college is further away for Collier, he plans to pursue music education with a minor in musical performance, having a desire to be a teacher.

Being in “Fiddler” last year made Collier want to be in the musical again.

“It was amazing. I made a lot of friends,” he said. “It was really quite an experience.”

He encourages people to come to their show.

“It’s going to be amazing,” he said.