Birdie Mania Invades Foxborough

The students of Foxborough High School Drama Club presented their spring musical "Bye Bye Birdie" to packed audiences this weekend, March 18-20.

Bye Bye Birdie centers around the sleepy town of Sweet Apple Ohio, which goes crazy when it gets a visit from the very popular teen idol Conrad Birdie (Jonah Philibert).

Conrad has been drafted into the army, but before he goes, he will present "One Last Kiss" to Kimberly MacAfee (Lily Davis), the president of the Sweet Apple chapter of his fan club. When he is drafted into the army, agent/songwriter Albert Peterson (Jon Urquhart) and his secretary, Rosie Alvarez (Sydney Raymond) find themselves in trouble. In the end, Rosie makes Albert quit the music industry to become an English teacher.

Kimberly MacAfee, the receiver of Conrad's kiss, parent's (Mrs. Doris MacAffe - Crysta Smaller, Mr. Harry MacAfee - Tim Smith) were not pleased with Conrad's presence in their home. 

Hugo Peabody (Harrison Thrasher), a boy that Kimberly agreed to "go steady" with, was also not pleased with the idea of Conrad's "one last kiss" with Kimberly.   

Conrad's celebrity takes over the small town of Sweet Apple, where Kimberly and her family are all invited onto The Ed Sullivan Show for an exclusive performance by Conrad.

Urquhart, Raymond, Davis and Philibert all give exceptional singing performances.

Upbeat songs including "Honestly Sincere," "One Last Kiss," and "Put On a Happy Face," hit all the right notes.

The student pit band, conducted by Celine Haddad, displayed the range of music talent at Foxborough High.

Mama Peterson, played by Danielle O'Toole, served as a comedic highlight as she provided many laughs for the audience. 

The entire cast, including the obsessed fans of Conrad, news reporters (Andrea Romanowski and Rachel Morgan), Mayor of Sweet Apple (Shane Walsh), Randi MacAfee (Lea Davis), Ursula Merkle (Megan Fusco) all helped to round out this amazing group of student actors and actresses. 

Shannon Wasilewski, English faculty member and Drama Club Advisor at Foxborough High, said that the cast and crew had "been working hard on the show since January," and their hard work shined through.

Audiences were delighted and brought to their feet cheering by the end.