JAMS Theatre Company presents its annual spring musical, "Bye Bye Birdie," featuring two casts in four performances, with students from both John Adams Middle School and SMASH. The show opens Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m., with two performances on Saturday, May 2, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and closes Sunday, May 3, with a final matinee performance at 2 p.m. All performances will be at Lincoln Middle School auditorium. All tickets are $6 and available online in advance at www.jamstheatrecompany.com, or at the box office before the show.
Set in 1950s middle America, this energetic musical comedy chronicles the parents and teens of Sweet Apple, Ohio, whose lives are disrupted when rock 'n' roll idol Conrad Birdie comes to town to give "One Last Kiss" to Kim MacAfee before heading off to the Army. Featuring a large ensemble with over 30 principal singing, dancing, and/or acting roles, "Birdie" explores the age-old conflicts between parents and teens, boyfriends and girlfriends, while at the same time satirizing the dangers of extreme celebrity worship.
JAMS Theatre Company is a free after-school program, now in its 5th year. Past productions have included "Into the Woods," "Grease," "Seussical the Musical" and "Oliver."
This year's production includes 70 students from both John Adams Middle School and SMASH. Due to renovations at the John Adams school auditorium, performances will take place in the Lincoln Middle School auditorium.
The creative team is led by director Chad Scheppner of Theatre 31, with assistant director Katey Mushlin and choreographer Miles Crawford, plus dozens of parent and community volunteers working in support.
The JAMS Theatre Company production of "Bye Bye Birdie" is supported with funding from the Santa Monica-Malibu Education Foundation (SMMEF), the JAMS PTSA and SMASH PTSA, plus individual community contributions from parents, friends and local businesses.
