Friday's Internet Edition, July 25, 2008.
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“To see this play is seeing young people from this area do some really fine work,” said Emily Harris, president emeritus of Lexington Youth Theatre and director of the play. “People are so critical of young people, but this is a chance to support them.”
“Bye Bye Birdie” was a popular Broadway play in the late 1950s, which was made into an equally popular movie in the early ‘60s. It centered around a teen-idol character called Conrad Birdie. Conrad Birdie was a play-on-words with Conway Twitty, who was a teen idol in those days (before he became a country music star), but most people considered Birdie to be an Elvis Presley characature. Playing the part of Birdie in the Lexington Youth play is Jesse Herndon, a 15-year-old who attends Central Davidson High School.
“It’s really fun, but this part makes me feel a little bit awkward,” Herndon said. “I’m not really used to all the girls fainting and screaming when I walk by.”
Another key role in the production is handled by Jaleel Cheek, who plays the part of Birdie’s manager.
“This will be my last play, because I’m a senior,” Cheek said. “This play is fun, but I wish I could dance more.”
Cheek, who is headed this fall to UNC-Greensboro, where he will major in theatrical dance, performs some tap-dancing in the play, which is his fifth for Lexington Youth Theatre.
“Jaleel Cheek is one of the most talented young people we’ve ever had,” Harris said. “He is just a natural. Most musicals don’t require much acting, but this one does and he has taken it and run with it.”
A Thomasville veteran of Lexington Youth Theatre plays is Ryan Jones, who played the Wizard in last year’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” In this play, Jones plays a father of one of the teenagers in the play.
“My character is very upset with the younger generation,” Jones said. “He even sings a song about how much trouble kids are.”
Jones attends Westchester Country Day School, where his mother is school librarian. The 14-year-old’s father is music minister at Rich Fork Baptist Church.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” the younger Jones said of the four plays he’s been in for Lexington Youth Theatre. “Every show we do is different than the last.”
This is the first play for Cassie Campbell, another 14-year-old living in Thomasville. Campbell plays the part of a stage manager and sings in the chorus.
“Being involved with Lexington Youth Theatre has been a lot of fun,” Campbell said. “It’s a great way to meet new people. I’m definitely going to try out for the next play, whenever it is.”
Thanks to Harris, Kathy Young, who is assistant director for “Bye Bye Birdie, and others, youth in Davidson County and surrounding areas have been having fun since 1983. Harris, Young and their co-founders loved theater and wanted to give children in this area a chance to learn about it and participate in it.
“My son, who was 9 years old, 25 years ago, was very shy before he got up on stage,” Young said. “He hasn’t stopped talking since.
Harris has seen many other examples of how participating in the play is good for a young person’s self esteem.
“If anybody can come out of a play with more confidence than they went in with, then we have accomplished our goal,” Harris said. “Whether they interview for college, interview for a job or speak in front of a large gathering, this experience will give them a heads-up.”
Tickets for the show are $8. They can be purchased at the door, from a cast member or by calling 313-6159. Customers are asked to bring a can of food, which will be passed along to the Pastor’s Pantry.
There are other events, surrounding the play. On Friday, March 28, a family sock-hop is being held at Rich Fork Baptist Church, from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. Tickets are $5 and participants are encouraged to wear ‘50s style of dress as they dance to the ‘50s music. It will feature a dance contest, costume contest and silent auction of affordable items.
In addition, participants are being recruited for the Elvis impersonation contests, being held before the three evening plays. Thursday night will be for kids under 18 and Fridays will feature contestants 18 and over. Contestants supply their own wardrobe and music. Saturday night will showcase the top three from each of the previous two nights.
More information on the play, the sock-hop and the contests can be found at www.lexingtonyouththeatre.com.
Becky Marsh is the musical director for “Bye Bye Birdie” and Ellen Shoaf is the choreographer.
“These young people have dedicated a huge amount of time for the production,” Harris said. “We have a great adult backing and a super board.”
Staff Writer Kevin Reid can be reached at 472-95900, ext. 230, or at reid@tvilletimes.com.