The cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE oficially opened the show on July 17. After a long weekend of technical rehearsals and 3 preview performances, the critics came to see the show. The NSMT blogger caught up with a few of our stars during one of the two 12 hour technical rehearsals and had a few questions for them.

NSMT Blogger: What is your favorite part of technical rehearsals?

Ari Butler (plays Hugo Peabody): I really enjoy being on stage as the lighting is being focused. It is amazing how you can create so many different scenes and environments with just lighting.

Robert Saoud (plays Harry MacAfee): After 2 weeks in a rehearsal room, it is so much fun to just see all the technical elements coming together. It is like a whole new show.

Madeleine Doherty (plays Doris MacAfee): I love finally meeting and working with the crew.

Mary-Pat Green (plays Mae Peterson): It is always fun to watch all the elements come together and watch the other designers and artists at work. The actors’ performances and direction and choreography are just a part of what makes a show enjoyable for the audience. The performances, lighting, costumes, sets and wigs as well as the stage crews execution all have to work together an enjoyable show.

NSMT Blogger: What is your least favorite part of tech rehearsals?

Ari: After 2 weeks of rehearsals it is no fun to not be the focus for a few days.

Robert: The fact that it is two twelve hour days… it gets very long and tiring moving through the show line by line, but this is when the show becomes a show!

Madeleine: Sometimes it gets physically uncomfortable to wear the shoes for a long time while adding the tech elements.

Mary-Pat: If you are not in many scenes there is a lot of down time.

NSMT Blogger: What do you do in the down time when you are not on stage during tech rehearsals?

Ari: Alessa, Madeleine and I are working on challenging crossword puzzles.

Robert: Avoiding writing all of my thank you notes!

Madeleine: I am part of the crossword puzzle group.

Mary-Pat: I love that the theatre has wireless internet in the dressing rooms. I can catch up on personal and business emails and communicate with friends.

NSMT Blogger: After working for 2 weeks in the rehearsal studio, what have you discovered now that you have moved into the theatre that you did not think about in the studio?

Ari: Who knew it was in-the-round? Seriously, it was hard to adjust to the 50 foot aisles that go downhill. It is not just the length ... but because a lot of my entrances are running, it is speed!

Robert: I was surprised to see how big the projection TV’s are. In the rehearsal room they are a piece of paper taped to a wall that says “TV” .. the real ones are just a little bigger.

Madeleine: As I watch the show rehearse I have picked up on the fact that the residents of Sweet Apple are all just a little bit crazy. They are like an over ripe berry and Birdie’s visit is just enough to make them all POP!

Mary-Pat: After being in the rehearsal room for 2 weeks, it was hard to adjust to the size of the house. Even though it is a fantastic space, for an actor it is work to find how to make a gesture that is not so big that the people in the front will think it is ridiculous yet not so small that the people in the back row won’t see it.

NSMT Blogger: What is your favorite tech element in the show, prop costume or set piece?

Ari: It may be hard to see from the audience, but the pins that are used on Kim’s costume were made by me. So that is special. And who knew the tech department could make Eric (Birdie) actually look attractive on stage... just kidding, Eric... we al know he is very cute!

Robert: I love my pea shooter, and Gloria’s pants are a riot!

Madeleine: There is a bit of Harry Potter-like magic in Kim’s bedroom mirror! You can see right through it from both sides, yet she has a perfect reflection when she uses it in the scenes. How do they do that?

Mary-Pat: I really think the old fashioned turntable stage is brilliant and adds so much to the fun of the whole show!
Photos: (top) Mary-Pat Green and James Patterson under the lights. (middle) Elizabeth Clinard as Gloria, (bottom) Howard C. Jones' brilliant set design for Bye Bye Birdie. Photos by Paul Lyden.

A discussion with members of the cast of BYE BYE BIRDIE about the benefits of mixing the local young artists with the professional actors, as well as what you can look forward to seeing in the show.



Featuring:
Bianca Marroquin (Rose Alvarez) With NSMT: Debut. Elsewhere: Bianca was born in Monterrey, Mexico, and raised on the border between Matamoros, Mexico and Brownsville, Texas. She started her artistic career in Mexico City in the productions of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Rent, Phantom of the Opera, Vagina Monologues and Chicago. For her portrayal of Roxie Hart in Chicago Bianca received 5 awards from the Mexican Critics Associations including New Revelation and Best Actress. In the summer of 2002, Bianca was invited to crossover from Mexico to Broadway and made her debut with her English version of Roxie Hart and later kicked off the Chicago 3rd National Tour for which she received a Helen Hayes Award in Washington DC for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2004. After touring for two years she officially moved to New York to continue to pursue her career. She then originated the role of Carmen in the Broadway hit revival and Tony Award-Winner, The Pajama Game. You can listen to Bianca on the special edition of the 10th anniversary of Chicago CD performing a medley version of three of Roxie’s songs in Spanish. Bianca is thrilled to be a part of this production and would like to dedicate this performance to her mother, Evelina.

James Patterson (Albert Peterson) With NSMT: Peter Pan. Elsewhere: James comes directly from the Alley Theater where he was in the premiere of The Gershwins' An American In Paris. He has performed in the Broadway and Touring companies of Beauty and the Beast and State Fair, and was in the National tours of The Drowsy Chaperone and Cats. Other New York Credits include Stairway to Paradise at City Center Encores! and Barnaby Slade in Sail Away at Carnegie Hall. Some of James' regional credits include Music Man (Harold Hill), White Christmas (San Francisco and St. Paul companies), Mame (Kennedy Center), and Cats (Rum Tum Tugger/ Maine State Music Theater). James is a graduate of TUFTS University and the New England Conservatory of Music. Thanks to everyone at Henderson/Hogan and all my family and friends for their love and support.

Eric Ulloa (Conrad Birdie) With NSMT: Debut. Elsewhere: Past favorite roles include Jacob in Shenandoah (Human Race Theatre), Perchik in Fiddler on the Roof (Fulton Opera), Anselmo in Man of La Mancha (North Carolina Theatre), Patrick opposite Sandy Duncan in Mame (Barrington Stage) Hero in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Cincinnati Playhouse/St. Louis Rep) Smudge in Forever Plaid (Riverside Theatre) Young Ben in the critically renowned Follies (Barrington Stage) among many others. Eric holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Central Florida Conservatory of Theatre and is a proud member of Actors Equity. Much love to his family, Michael Rodriguez and his Muse of Muses. For his brother and sister who make him SO proud each day!!

Alessa Neeck (Kim MacAfee) With NSMT: Debut. Elsewhere: Alessa recently made her NYC debut in No, No, Nanette as part of the Encores! Series at the New York City Center. Other regional credits include seven shows at The Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, including the role of Peggy Sawyer in 42nd Street. Alessa is a recent graduate of the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music. Thanks to Mom, Dad, and Sean for your constant love and support! Proud member of AEA.

ALEX DeLEO (Youth Ensemble) With NSMT: Wizard of Oz, Fame, High School Musical. Elsewhere: A North Reading resident, Alex is a senior theatre major at Walnut Hill School for the Arts. Alex recently performed at Carnegie Hall in the New York, New York Gala where he was a soloist and featured dancer. Some of his favorite credits include: Brigadoon (Harry Beaton), Pippin (title role), Rocky Horror Live (Frank n Furter), High School Musical ( Erik Smith, Ensemble), Urinetown (Billy Boy Bill u/s Bobby Strong), Seussical the Musical (Cat in the Hat), and Footloose (Chuck, Ensemble). Love to my family and friends. “WOOF!” and “drop the heel”.

Wendy Mellin (Youth Ensemble) With NSMT: Debut. Elsewhere: An Andover resident, Wendy is excited to be performing on the NSMT stage. Some favorite roles include Florinda (Into the Woods) and The Enchantress (Beauty and the Beast) at Andover High School. She received a 2006 NSMT Spotlight Award Nomination for choreography. This year she will assistant direct and choreograph for Merrimack Junior Theatre. She will attend Mount Holyoke College in the fall. Thanks to everyone for your support. Enjoy the show.

Trisha Whitlock (Youth Ensemble) With NSMT: Debut. Elsewhere: A resident of Concord, MA, Tricia is overjoyed to be making her NSMT debut in Bye Bye Birdie. Tricia has previously worked with the Concord Players, Weston Friendly Society, Weston Drama Workshop, and the Alexander Children’s Theatre School where she was last seen as Gertie in Oklahoma! This fall, Tricia will be going into her junior year at Concord-Carlisle High School. She thanks Dad, Mom, Ellen, Matt and friends.

North Shore Music Theatre is happy to announce the return of THE NSMT BLOG. Our new exciting format will be an informative and exciting editorial magazine style that will mix interviews with video and photo essays. However what we are most excited about is that we want your input on the content. Let us know what you want to read or see and we will update the blog regularly with answers to your questions as well as many other fun facts and insider information.