Shelton High School directors Gary and Francesca Scarpa will celebrate their 35th anniversary as directors with this week’s production of “Bye, Bye Birdie,” which will be presented in the high school auditorium at 8 p.m. tonight, May 12, and Friday and Saturday, May 13 and May 14.
The Scarpas directed their very first production with the SHS Drama Club in May of 1976, when they presented “The Music Man” on the same stage.
“We were very young,” said Gary Scarpa. “I was a second year teacher, and Fran was a senior in college. We were married a month after that production, and theatre has been a shared passion for us as a couple ever since.”
Since then, the Scarpas have directed thousands of young people in theatre at Shelton High School, with the Youth CONNection, and also at Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden and Amity High School.
“Working with teens in theatre has been our life’s work,” said Scarpa. “For us, it is the ultimate experience in theatre and in teaching. Whether in 1976 or today, our teens have been willing and trusting learners who give their all to the experience of theatre. We love our cast of Bye, Bye Birdie as much as we have loved any other cast throughout the years.”
“Bye Bye Birdie” is a satire that takes place in 1958 and centers around an Elvis Presley type rock and roll superstar (Conrad Birdie) who is drafted into the army. His agent and song writer (Albert Peterson) and Albert’s secretary and love interest (Rosie Alvarez) plan a farewell performance for Birdie on the Ed Sullivan television show, which they hope will provide the publicity to sell his new song “One Last Kiss” and bring Albert’s company out of debt. At the conclusion of the performance, Birdie will give a real kiss to a lucky girl from his fan club.
The 1963 film version starred Dick Van Dyke, Chita Rivera, Ann Margaret, and Paul Lind.
“This is our third time directing the show, and we feel it will be our best production of Bye, Bye Birdie,” said Scarpa. “This wonderful cast of high school students has had a great deal of fun breathing their own youth, talent, and energy into this wonderful musical.”
Tickets for “Bye, Bye Birdie” can be purchased online at http://www.showtix4u.com or at Shelton High School (203 – 922-3004 ext. 755) or at Center Stage in Shelton (203 – 225-6079). All seating is reserved.
