Forget about flowers for the leads in McClure Junior High’s spring musical, “Bye, Bye Birdie.” Half-gallons of ice cream will do just fine.
Restricted from dairy this week because it can affect vocals, lead cast members say they will be ready to pig out on some frozen treats after their Friday and Saturday performances.
“It will help with PSD – post-show depression,” said eighth-grader Ben Jouras, lamenting about not being with other cast members on a regular basis after this weekend.
“It will be ice cream and tears,” joked seventh-grader Jay Baldwin.
Months of preparation will culminate with two performances. The show, based on Elvis Presley’s induction into the Army, will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the school, 4225 Wolf Road, Western Springs.
“I like to be on stage,” said eighth-grader Elaine Tracy, who plays Rose “Rosie” Alvarez, a spitfire secretary and love interest of Albert F. Peterson (played by Jouras),who is the manager of rock star Conrad Birdie (played by Baldwin). “It is physically challenging to play a character nothing like you. It is exciting.”
Eighth-grader Tyler Cassaro will be carrying on a family tradition when he takes the stage as Hugo Peabody. His father played the same role during his own junior high musical.
“He told me to keep calm, to continue being myself,” Cassaro said. “He said the character is something you put on while on stage.”
Cassaro said he is nervous being that this is his first musical performance and that he is playing a role his father knows well. The eighth-grader said he has been able to watch a video of his dad’s performance and hopes to eventually create a split-screen video of him and his dad both performing the role.
McClure teacher Kelly Kruiswyk, who has directed productions at the school for 24 years, said the performers are ready.
“We have a really nice cast this year,” Kruiswyk said. “The students are talented every year, but this group is so each to work with.”
Sixth-grader Petey Buinauskas said he is not nervous about taking the stage. He said he just needs to make sure he hits his cues.
“During rehearsals, he will ask me, ‘Am I in this scene?'” laughed fellow cast member Kevin Shafer.
Art teacher Sam Cook is in her first year helping with McClure shows. She said students are enjoying the ’60s production.
“The fashions and the time period, they are enjoying it. They love the goofiness of the play,” she said.
Eighth-grader Hannah Orndoff does a hilarious job in portraying an older person in the play, Kruiswyk said. It is the different kind of characters that students get to play which makes “Bye Bye Birdie” such a treat for performers and audience members, she said.
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Kruiswyk said she turns as much control of the production over to students as possible.
“I let the students run things,” Kruiswyk said. “They handle the lights, the backstage activity, pretty much everything with the production.”
Jouras loves the stage so much, he sees himself making acting his career.
“I want to go to New York or Hollywood and perform,” said Jouras, who has been in all three plays and all three musicals during his time at McClure.
Tracy definitely sees herself involved in theater when she heads to Lyons Township High School this fall.
Baldwin also wants to stay involved in performance arts.
“I don’t really see acting as a way to make a living for me, but maybe as a hobby,” Baldwin said. “I really enjoy it.”
Tracy said community members should come to the production.
“You probably know somebody in the show,” Tracy said. “And, even if you don’t know someone in the show, you will enjoy the acting. You will have a good time.”
Kevin Beese is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press