River View stages 'Bye Bye Birdie'

If you enjoy musicals and good laughs, you won’t want to miss River View’s production of “Bye Bye Birdie.” The play will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 24-25 in River View High School's auditorium.

“Bye Bye Birdie” is loosely focused on Elvis Presley’s life. The 1960 Broadway musical tells the story of rocker Conrad Birdie, who is being drafted into the U.S. Army. Manager Albert Peterson and secretary/girlfriend Rosie want to do a publicity stunt in Sweet Apple, Ohio before he leaves.

“It’s hilarious and so much fun,” senior Savannah Babcock said. “It’s appropriate for all ages too.”

Seniors Izzy Meyers and Zoe Hardesty are in the ensemble, and Hardesty has a role.

“I love the old-fashion musicals,” Meyers said. “They are so much fun.”

Hardesty said her mom did the play when she was in school, and she’s excited to share that experience.

“I enjoy the singing and working with everyone,” Hardesty said. “It takes time, but in the end we have chemistry with each other.”

Paris Peterson is going to miss those connections when she graduates this spring.

“I’m a huge fan of theater, and the community we have here is amazing,” she said.

Babcock agreed they have a lot of fun together.

“It’s like our own little family,” she said. “If you come, you are guaranteed to have a good time.”

Senior Brody Johnson is glad he gave theater a try his freshman year.

“I’ve found some of my closest friends and made some of my favorite memories,” he said.

Like his fellow seniors, Johnson promises lots of fun moments in the play.

“It’s very comedic,” he said. “It’s taking a lot of hard work, but this show is going to be great.”

Junior Carson Hoke plays Conrad Birdie.

“He’s a rock star but is fun and cracks jokes,” Hoke said. “There are going to be a lot of laughs, and it’s the first musical in our renovated auditorium, so that’s exciting too.”

There will be 25 students on stage and several others working behind the scenes.

“This is a hard-working group that is happy to do whatever we need them to,” said August Kinzel, play director and 2018 River View graduate.

Tickets for “Bye Bye Birdie” are $8 and available online at rvhs.rvbears.org/ by following the link or calling 740-824-3522. The concession stand will be open each night at 5:30 p.m.