Revolution of ‘Bye Bye Birdie’

When 17-year-old Leo Oppenheimer was cast as Conrad Birdie in Revolution Dance Center’s summer production of “Bye Bye Birdie,” he looked to the King for inspiration.

Conrad Birdie — the fictitious rocker who is one of the lead characters in “Bye Bye Birdie” — was based on Elvis Presley. In the play, Conrad’s publicity-hungry agent decides the rock star should kiss a lucky fan on “The Ed Sullivan Show” before shipping out to join the Army.

Leo’s 1950s-era dance moves, and those of the rest of the youth in the 35-member cast, will be on display this week when the cast of “Bye Bye Birdie” performs four times at Crescenta Valley High School.

The show is the second summer youth musical produced by Tujunga-based Revolution Dance Center.

The dance studio’s faculty choreographed the show, and Crescenta Valley High School drama teachers Brent Beerman and Kathi Chaplar served as the directors.

The play’s performers, who range from third- to 12th-graders, hail mostly from La Crescenta, the directors said.

For the past five weeks, the young actors and actresses have been rehearsing daily at the Revolution Dance Studio. During that time, their growth is evident, as they practice singing, dancing and acting. They also are discovering that they have more talent than they realized, Chaplar said.

“I think the kids are always amazed at the end of the process when they see what they really can do,” she said.

This theater production is more inclusive than some other local theater groups, as students who may have no stage experience are accepted, the directors said.

“This is for everybody,” Beerman said.

Last year, Revolution Dance Theater produced “High School Musical.”

“Bye Bye Birdie” was chosen this year in part because it can accommodate the wide age range within the cast, the directors said. The more veteran actors become mentors to the greener cast members as the summer progresses, Chaplar said.

For 13-year-old Caileigh Knapp, getting into the culture of the 1950s has been part of the fun.

“I like wearing the ’50s clothes,” Caileigh said while waiting backstage Tuesday in a pink poodle skirt with a pink scarf tied around her neck.

“You get to spin around and curl your hair,” she said.

“Bye Bye Birdie” was the largest play that 8-year-old Stefanie Goodenberger has ever taken part in.

“I got to meet a lot of new people and make a lot of new friends,” Stefanie said.