by Danielle Ray
Sterling Community Theatre (SCT) will be transporting their audience back to 1958 with their production of Bye Bye Birdie, a musical inspired by Elvis Presley and his army draft notice. Director Katie McNamara performed in Bye Bye Birdie in high school and remembers it as a fun show for all ages.
McNamara started directing in college and has experience with high school and middle school productions as well as theatre camps. This is her first foray into an adult community theatre.
“I was nervous about directing adults, but SCT had faith in me and it’s been an extremely enriching experience,” she says.
Matthew Valeri, who plays the role of Albert Peterson, the central character in the story, hasn’t been on stage for 15 years although he has theatre and backstage experience. This is his first show with SCT.
“When I was offered the role, I honestly felt apprehensive, I was looking for a small role to ‘get my feet wet’ in coming back to community theatre,” he says. “I’m having fun with the role and experimenting with the character’s different mannerisms. Part of the fun in performing is leaving real-world stress behind and becoming your character.”
For Valeri, the show is a family affair. His wife Lynn is playing Mrs. MacAfee, and his children Emily and Nathan are playing Sweet Apple Teens. “My family was looking for something fun to do together,” he says. “A friend suggested trying out for Birdie and we’re thrilled to join the cast.”
The role of Rose Alvarez, Albert Peterson’s secretary and significant other, is played by Francesca Person. Person was bitten by the performing bug at a young age and has had roles in two previous SCT productions.
“I’ve been in many shows, and my love for theatre has grown past simply performing. I enjoy learning and participating in all aspects of the craft,” says Person. “I’ve been fortunate to perform many supporting leading roles, but this is my first leading role in a musical, so I’m totally psyched and grateful for the opportunity.”
Person’s character is Albert Peterson’s independent and sassy girlfriend, and the two characters have some differences to work out when it comes to their individual dreams and goals.
“I really put my heart and soul into performing and hope the audience can see and feel that,” she says. “I try to be as helpful as I can to the rest of the cast so that we have a great show. Theatre is definitely a group effort.”
SCT veteran Mary Mahoney is playing the role of Kim MacAfee, an outgoing and precocious teenager. Mahoney has been performing in theatre since she was six and has been involved with SCT since 2011. Recent roles include Ariel in The Little Mermaid at Theatre at the Mount, and Peter Pan in Peter Pan at her high school, Oakmont Regional High School.
“When I’m on stage, I have as much fun as I can,” she says. “I’m looking forward to getting our show in front of an audience, because it’s shaping up to be fantastic.”
Involvement in Sterling Community Theatre is open to anyone interested in participating, including non-residents and those with little or no theatre experience. In addition to acting roles, there are a number of backstage positions for each production.
McNamara says that hearing the audience laugh, seeing toes tapping, and watching the faces of audience members lost in the story are all signs that she’s doing a good job as a director.
“We can’t wait to welcome our audience into the fold,” she says.
Performances are at First Church in Sterling, 6 Meetinghouse Hill Road, on September 14, 15, 21 and 22, evenings at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday matinees at 2 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.sterlingtheatre.com.