‘Bye Bye Birdie’ cast announced

After nearly a full week of auditions and callbacks, the cast list for “Bye Bye Birdie” was posted on Sept. 16.

“Bye Bye Birdie” tells the story of a rock and roll singer, Conrad Birdie, who is about to be inducted into the army.  Albert Peterson, his agent, is a very pleasant mild mannered young man. Albert’s faithful secretary Rose Alvarez keeps him and Birdie moving forward in the world. Rose is hopelessly in love with Albert, unfortunately he refuses to commit to her – partially because of his mother, Mae Peterson. In an attempt to get Albert’s mind back on college, Rosie concocts one final national publicity plan before Conrad’s induction.
Conrad will bid a typical American teen-age girl goodbye with an all-American kiss. Kim MacAfee in Sweet Apple, Ohio wins the honor. This kiss creates drama with the boy who recently pinned her, Hugo Peabody.

The cast list for the 2016 musical “Bye Bye Birdie” is as follows:

Albert Peterson – senior Eric Rorstrom
Rosie Alverez – senior Anniston Weber
Kim Macaffe – senior Kristen Nease
Conrad Birdie – junior Ryan Will
Mrs. Doris MacAfee – senior Rachelle Lumpkins
Mr. Harry MacAfee – junior Eric Adams
Ursula Merkle – junior Erin Murihead
Mrs. Mae Peterson – senior Madison Crees
Hugo Peabody – junior Michael Hernandez
Harvey Johnson – senior Hayden Sillmon
Mayor Smith – senior Mason Wellbrock
Edna Smith (The Mayor’s wife) – junior Kyra Polifka-Whilhelm
Alice Smith – junior Taya Randle
Deborah Sue Miller – junior Shelby Knoll
Margie Johnson – freshman Kara Steininger
Mrs. Johnson – junior Erin Adams
Nancy Wilson – junior Ivy Walker
Susie Jones – junior Sara Rohleder
Freddie Merkle – senior Cooper Flores
Lee Garfein – freshman Nathan Leiker
Roger Miller – sophomore Cade Swayne
Mrs. Jones – sophomore Jessica Straight
Danny Jones – junior Dawson Rooney
Penelope Henkel – junior Emily Ricke
Charity Garfein – senior Jordyn Dake
Chalres Maude/Mr. Johnson – sophomore Skyler Prickett
Mr. Henkel – junior Max Peine
Mrs. Wilson – sophomore Brittani Park
Mrs. Garfein – junior Kourtney Muench
Mr. Garfien – freshman Marshall Meyer
Gloria – junior Lucy Lin
Mrs. Henkel – junior Kayla Satomi
Mr. Jones – freshman Ethan Klausmeyer
Karl Wilson – junior Adam Klausmeyer
Mrs. Miller – junior Amiyah Gonzalez
Paul Henkel – junior Tanner Eiland
Mrs. Merkle – sophomore Rebecca Anderson

Teens – freshman Katelyn Engel, sophomore Madison Lisman, senior Gabby McLoughlin, freshman Ana States and sophomore Katie Vaughn
Townspeople – freshman Sam Allen, freshman Marie-Lyn Castaing, freshman Mariah Debey, junior Faith Ewert, senior Ashlen Lemon, freshman Kenia Macias, freshman Marshall Perryman, freshman Kari Satomi and senior Megan Scott.

“I’m very excited to play this role,” senior Anniston Weber, playing Rosie Alverez said. “Rose is such a lively character. It’s going to be a great show.”

This is senior Eric Rorstom’s first year participating as a cast member for musical.

“There were so many good auditions,” Rorstrom said. “I was very surprised to get the part of Albert Peterson. I’m very excited for this year’s show.”

Senior Kristen Nease (Kim Macaffe) said she feels bittersweet about this being her last Hays High musical.

“I’m very honored and thrilled to have received my part,” Nease said. “I can’t wait to see how the cast comes together as a team like we always do.”

Production dates for “Bye Bye Birdie” are Nov. 10-12 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 13 at 2:30 p.m. at 12th St. Auditorium.

17aweber@usd489.com