Conrad Birdie Is Coming to CNY Arts Center

July 25, 2017 Contributor

FULTON – Teen Idol Conrad Birdie comes to CNY Arts Center in the classic musical Bye Bye Birdie August 4 through 13 at the Theatre located at 11 River Glen Drive on the Cayuga College Fulton Campus.

Ben Borenstein as Conrad Birdie is surrounded by adoring fans in this scene from Bye Bye Birdie. For tickets and more information visit CNYArtsCenter.com or call 315-598-ARTS (2787). From left are: Danielle Merrill, Emily Gerth, Jessica LaPage, Lori Painter, Dani McAuslan, Selene Belrad, Kaleigh Smith. Front left, Jolie Painter and Leigh Zacchia, right.
Ben Borenstein as Conrad Birdie is surrounded by adoring fans in this scene from Bye Bye Birdie. For tickets and more information visit CNYArtsCenter.com or call 315-598-ARTS (2787). From left are: Danielle Merrill, Emily Gerth, Jessica LaPage, Lori Painter, Dani McAuslan, Selene Belrad, Kaleigh Smith. Front left, Jolie Painter and Leigh Zacchia, right.

August 4, 5, and 11 start at 8 p.m., while matinees on August 6, 12 and 13 start at 3 p.m.

Tickets include a family package and are available online.

In rehearsal for three months the colorful production finally comes to life with Ben Borenstein in the title role of Conrad Birdie, with Adam Schmidtmann and Molly Brown as Broadway’s favorite couple Albert and Rosie.

Overwrought parents are led by Dan Bostick and Willow Eckel as Mr. and Mrs. MacAfee with newcomer Alex Burnett as the pesky Randolph. Daniele Merrill, as Kim MacAfee, is chosen from thousands of adoring Conrad Birdie fans to receive one last kiss before the teen idol reports for duty to the U.S. Army.

Nicole Merrill keeps her Sonny boy Albert in check as the lovable Mrs. Peterson and Caleb Baron delivers a heartbroken Hugo.

Kara Palmer, as choreographer, has lead the cast in high-stepping dance routines reminiscent of the period from Elvis to Fred Astaire.

Songs such as Telephone Hour, Put on a Happy Face, One Boy, and Spanish Rose, under the music direction of Dan Williams, evoke memories of high school days.

Mr, MacAfee's comforts are disrupted when he must share his home and breakfast with the irritating Conrad Birdie in this scene from Bye Bye Birdie. From left are: Danielle Merrill as Kim, Dan Bostick as Mr. MacAfee, and Willow Eckel as Mrs MacAfee.
Mr, MacAfee’s comforts are disrupted when he must share his home and breakfast with the irritating Conrad Birdie in this scene from Bye Bye Birdie. From left are: Danielle Merrill as Kim, Dan Bostick as Mr. MacAfee, and Willow Eckel as Mrs MacAfee.

People seem to have fond memories and favorite characters from the popular production that will live on in a live television broadcast starring Jennifer Lopez this holiday season.

A mainstay of many high school drama clubs, the original movie starred Ann Margaret and Dick Van Dyke.

For this story set in the early 1960s, teens in the cast have learned about a completely different style of dress, rotary phones, bobby sox and loafers among other period references.

A large production team has created more than 70 costumes with designs by Brenda McAuslan, an enormous collection of period props coordinated by Priscilla VanGorder, and a variety of set locations with design by Chad Lewis and scenic painting by Karen Greenfield.

As the biggest production to date for CNY Arts Center, this summer family musical delivers wholesome, affordable entertainment for all ages.

For more information, visit www.CNYARTSCENTER.com or call 315-598-ARTS (2787)

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