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Health & Fitness

MMHS & The Advanced Orchestra Present: 'Bye Bye Birdie'

Murrieta Mesa High School Drama Company and The Advanced Orchestra present "Bye Bye Birdie." This is not your typical high school musical!

“It was good for a high school play,” is not something you will hear when speaking of productions by Murrieta Mesa’s High School Drama Department.  These high school kids are anything but typical, as they strive to deliver at each and every performance.  It is not just the actors; it is the production as a whole.  Drama Director, Christopher Ryan oversees the production, but it is the kids who run the show, design the sets, and are truly consummate professionals. Let’s not forget the MMHS Advanced Orchestra either.  They provide the music for the show and it is “scores” above their title of “advanced.”

The show begins with a slide show of the terrible news that CONRAD BIRDIE has been drafted and all the young girls are devastated.  Right away we are brought to New York in the office of Albert Peterson played masterfully by Michael Melendez.  Rebekah Gudino plays the lovely Rose Alverez , his secretary and love interest.  She is enchanting and determined in her role.  It is Rose’s idea to have Albert write Conrad’s last song and kiss one lucky fan goodbye before he leaves.  All of this to get Albert to quit the music business and become the English teacher he wants to be. 

Fisher Kaake’s portrayal of Conrad Birdie was marvelous as he cheeses it up for the teems of fanning girls and looking good for the photographers.  He also has an excellent singing voice.  However, he is not alone in that category.  Reinert, Melendez, Gudino and Hannah Reinert (Kim MacAfee) are quite incredible as well.  I could sit and type every single name on the program, for they all deserve to be mentioned. 

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I heard comments afterward that ranged from, “Such talented kids.”  To  “Everyone does such a fabulous job!”  So it is unanimous; BYE BYE BIRDIE is not simply “good for a high play.”  That would be an insult to these kids who have put in long hours and a lot of hard work into what is far beyond a “high school musical.”  If you are looking for a good source of entertainment this is most definitely it.  Murrieta Mesa Drama Company & The Advanced Orchestra Present BYE BYE BIRDIE.  My only gripe is that I only got to see it twice.  You can see it still!  I highly recommend you do.  Check out Mr. Ryan’s web page for times and dates.  You will be in for a real treat.

Mr. Ryan’s Page

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