Hope Summer Repertory Theatre (HSRT) opens another great year of theatre with one of the most popular musicals of all time, "Bye Bye Birdie" at 8 p.m. on June 18 at the DeWitt theatre.
"Bye Bye Birdie " runs in rotation from June 18 to August 11, and features hit songs like "One Last Kiss," "Spanish Rose," and "Put on a Happy Face."
The 1950's rock star Conrad Birdie, an Elvis-like character, is about to be inducted into the Army. His publicist cannot resist a great publicity stunt, and creates a contest for one all-American girl to give Birdie one last kiss before heading off to war.
That lucky girl lives in Sweet Apple, Ohio giving Birdie a chance to see the charm of the everyday American life that he has missed. The results are not quite what the publicist envisioned as mayhem and laughter take over.
Equity Artists Dana Synder, Chip DuFord, Allison Watrous, and Quincy Marr all lend their talents to this opening production. Kaci Gober ("Footloose") returns to HSRT to play Rosie, and HSRT newcomer Jason Miller stars as Conrad Birdie.
Meribeth Kisner directs the production, which includes area high school students, and Fred Tessler is the Musical Director. Richard Jessup handles choreography. "Bye Bye Birdie" is based on the book by Michael Steward, with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams.
The show opens at 8 p.m. on June 18, with additional evening shows on June 19, 22, 23, 24, 28, July 6, 8, 12, 15, 23, 24, 29, August 9 and 11. There will be an additional 2:00 p.m. show on July 15. A June 30 production has already sold out and several other shows are close to sellouts as HSRT has already had a record-breaking box office opening weekend.
While at the box office, be sure to reserve tickets for the other great HSRT mainstage shows, including the Tony-award winning comedy, "Art," George Bernard Shaw's comedy "Arms and the Man" and HSRT's own creation "G.I. Jive." HSRT's "second stage" show is a funny and touching look at Little League baseball coaches in "Rounding Third," while Holland's Park Theatre is home to HSRT's popular cabaret offering, "All Night Diner." The Children's Performance Troupe is presenting Jon Scieszka's "The Stinky Cheese Man" and Louis Sachar's "Sideways Stories from Wayside School."
The ticket office is located in the DeWitt Center, on the Hope College campus, at the corner of 12th Street and Columbia Avenue in Holland. Prices range from $8-$25 for musicals, and $8-$18 for plays. Season coupons, ranging from $42-$60 are also available. Ticket office hours are 10 a.m-5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and one hour before all showtimes. Tickets may also be purchased by calling 616-395-7890.