Last chance to catch BYE BYE BIRDIE!
This is the final weekend for QCT’s most electrifying show of the season—Bye Bye Birdie!
Step back into 1958 as Conrad Birdie fever sweeps the nation. There’s just one problem: this rock-and-roll phenomenon has been drafted. To keep his stardom alive, his agents arrange to give away “one last kiss” on The Ed Sullivan Show from the superstar to a teen named Kim.
Inspired by Elvis Presley being drafted into the United States Army, the story follows the hip-swiveling crooner to the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio for his farewell performance. Chaos erupts as fans compete for the teen idol’s attention, couples yearn for affection, and locals seek alleviation from the hysteria.
“Can you believe it? This classic musical from 1960 is making its QCT debut! This satire of media frenzy and celebrity craze is as timely as ever, and I always look forward to the excitement of our summer musical. It’s an energy like no other,” says Director Brandon Thomsen.
36 local performers from Pittsfield and Quincy in Illinois and Ewing, Hannibal, and Lewistown in Missouri create this hit musical. Of these, seven are new to the QCT stage.
The cast includes Lorne Kelley as Albert Peterson; Jennafer White as Rose Alvarez; Ryan Shoaff as Conrad Birdie; Jerilyn Dufresne as Mrs. Mae Peterson; Bill Stalder as Mr. Harry MacAfee; Doris Sanders as Mrs. Doris MacAfee; Allison Hutson as Kim MacAfee; Conall Wolfmeyer as Randolph MacAfee; Harrison Clarke as Hugo Peabody; Bobette Cawthon as Gloria Rasputin; Lily Twaddle as Ursula Merkle; Kate Freuhling as Deborah Sue Miller; Maddy Pool as Alice; Zoe Drew as Margie; Jayden Dreyer as Helen; Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Caley as Nancy; Cheyenne VanMeter as Penelope Ann Henkel; Scott Gough as Harvey Johnson; Michael Drew as Maud the Bartender; Mark Drummond as Mayor; Emily Wellman as Mrs. Merkle; and Jason Lewton as Mr. Johnson; completing the cast are teen and adult ensembles: Natalia Sanchez, Amelia Wilson, Trey Ehrhart, Brock Elmore, Jadon McKenzie, Dominic Regner, Meagan Connelly, Deena Kroeger, Ruth Kummerow, Julie Wilson, Gretchen Wolfmeyer, Glenn Boettger, Dan Tanna, and Randy Wolfmeyer.
Bye Bye Birdie is under the direction of Artistic Director Brandon Thomsen with vocal direction by Elizabeth Mannhardt, choreography by Cheryl Kaiser, scenic design by Lorne Kelley, lighting design by Ryan McElroy, costume design by Christianne Bakewell, and stage management by Vicky Vail.
Tickets are $22-24, on sale now. The final performa
nces are July 25-28, Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2:00 PM. Seating is reserved.
Audiences are invited to “Meet the Cast” at the post-show talkback following the performance on Friday, July 26.
For tickets, visit 1qct.org or call the QCT Box Office, located in the Oakley-Lindsay Center, at 217.222.3209.
Bye Bye Birdie is sponsored by Blessing Health System, Hansen-Spear Funeral Home, Herald-Whig, State Street Bank, and WGEM. QCT’s 2019 Season is sponsored by Gardner Denver. This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
About Quincy Community Theatre
Quincy Community Theatre (QCT) is a major theatrical resource for the Tri-State area, offering five major productions, three student productions, various touring performances, and a variety of workshops and classes each year. Showcasing local performers from the entire Tri-State Region since 1923, QCT uses the combined talents and resources of the community to celebrate, promote, and perform the dramatic arts in its first-rate facility. Quincy Community Theatre is a member of the Quincy Society of Fine Arts, the Illinois Theatre Association, the American Association of Community Theatre, and Arts Alliance Illinois. QCT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit. QCT programming is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. The 2019 Season is sponsored by Gardner Denver. QCT’s 2019 Media Sponsors are Arts Quincy, Herald-Whig, KHQA, Spectrum Reach, STARadio, and WGEM. For information about shows and classes or to purchase tickets, please visit www.1qct.org or call the Box Office at 217.222.3209.