"Put on a Happy Face: Bye Bye Birdie brings joy as North Ogden and Farr West Cities team up for a musical treat."

   What stood out most to me in this production was the remarkable mix of talent on stage. From seasoned performers who brought polish and confidence to every scene, to fresh faces whose enthusiasm just lit up the whole stage, the cast really blended perfectly together. A big standout from the very first scene of the show was Kyle Cropper who played Albert Peterson. Not only did Cropper have a fantastic voice, but his acting and portrayal of the character Albert really helped lead the whole show. Albert needs to have a quick and witty sense of humor, and Cropper had just that. Stacey Dixon as Rosie Alvarez brought warmth and charisma with her well balanced performance adding humor and heart. Paired with a series of absolutely stunning costumes that highlighted Dixon's presence on stage, she surely captured the audience's attention every time she appeared. Daphne Dixon as Kim MacAfee captured not only the charm and teenage spirit of the character, but she also brought an infectious energy to the stage. Dixon portrayed Kim as a wide- eyed, excited, sincere, and confident teenager that added a perfectly fresh spark to the youthful heart of the production itself. Followed by a clear soprano voice, Dixon also stood out with clear acting choices and also was a big standout in every dance number. Amanda Bradford as the Mayor's Wife had the whole audience cracking up during any scene that had to do with Conrad Birdie. Bradford's comedic timing was spot on, and I loved that I could tell she was having a blast taking on the role. Carol Madsen as Mrs. Mae Peterson was definetely a favorite of mine during the whole production. Everything about Madsen's performance left me wanting more and more. Her humor not only embodied her words, but it also embodied every movement she made and had the whole audience laughing every time she was onstage! This cast really proved that community theatre can shine just as brightly as any professional stage.

   Behind the sccenes, the production team elevated the entire show. From lively and sharp choreography to thoughtful music direction, every detail reflected all of the planning that went into creating the show. The direction by Laura Crossett kept the pacing tight and the humor fresh, while the lighting design (Val Seiler) and sound design (Ray Peterson) added so much to the performance and made it feel bigger than community theatre often gets credit for. Choreography by Bailey Porter was energetic and engaging. It perfectly captured the playful and young spirit of the show while still feeling true to the charm of community theatre. It added layers of excitement to scenes as well as highlighting relationships between characters. There were several dancers that stood out to me: Austyn Wilkinson, Eden Doutre, Kenzie Bates, and Tyler Neil. These four performers always seemed to capture my attention in big dance numbers, and Doutre even gave a cute and confident featured dance moment in the song "Put on a Happy Face" alongside Albert. Costumes by Amber Stephens were absolutely stunning. Each costume complimented not only each character, but the actors as well. I really enjoyed Kim MacAfee's costumes as well as all the teen girls costumes, as they really helped show the development of the show as well as their characters. A huge standout in this production when it comes to the technical aspect was the use of the LED screen. Many theaters are starting to install and use these expensive, large screens to help amplify their productions, however, I find those theaters usually just throw together some AI generated things for those screens and I usually find that they are not adding to the show but rather taking away from it. Tyler Neil took the use of the LED screen and worked hard to develop amazing drawings for each scene and currated amazing slides for the pre show as well as intermission. It added an amazing level to everything and had me very amused by these drawings, and I appreciate the time and effort that went into providing them for the show! Together, everyone on the production teams combined efforts gave the production heart that truly made it shine. 

   While the cast brought warmth, talent, and fun to every scene, it's worth noting that Bye Bye Birdie as a script shows its age. Some of its themes and dialogue can feel outdated- even uncomfortable- when viewed through a modern lens. Of course, the performers have no control over the material, but it is important to handle the show with as much care and respect as possible. It's a good reminder to us all that part of the challenge and importance of reviving classic works is finding ways to honor the show while remaining mindful of today's audiences. There were a few moments that could have been minimized or even left out completely without taking anything away from the script or the story. While the cast can't rewrite the material, the way those moments are staged matters immensely, and they really do need to be handled with as much care as possible. 

   Overall, this production of Bye Bye Birdie was a charming success that really highlighted just how special community theatre can be when people come together to create something meaningful. The show turned out to be humourous and memorable and I truly hope to see shows like this continue year after year. I feel it is important to keep the shows going at the amphitheater with North Ogden City alive, not only for the artists who brought so much talent to the stage (and would continue to bring more and more talent each year), but for the community that gathers to share in the joy of live theatre. Everyone should really go out and support this show and the fabulous and talented actors in the show. This production still runs until September 20th, and you can buy tickets at www.ByeByeBirdienorthogden.com.