The drama department is about to make FC history by producing the first ever musical. The class has decided to perform Bye Bye Birdie with an added bonus of a live orchestra.

The high school drama class will be performing Bye Bye Birdie, March 7 and 8 at 7 p.m. and March 9 at 4 p.m. The performance will be in the Peoples Church Student Ministries Center (Ground Zero).

Bye Bye Birdie is set in the 1950s and was inspired by Elvis Presley and his draft notice into the army. The story also revolves around the life of a music producer and and his struggles.

The production will have added value of a live orchestra to play for all the musical numbers. Senior Natalie Ruiz, gives insight on what it is like to act with a live orchestra.

“This is my first time acting with an orchestra and it’s really fun; it keeps the energy up and the audience enjoys it because it gives them that 1950s feel,” Ruiz said. “Working with the orchestra is kind of challenging because you have to wait for them to start playing and that’s not very hard, its just more of a challenge to listen in.”

Not only is this my first lead role at the school, I get to be the lead in the first ever Fresno Christian musical. I am extremely excited, but also very honored that I get the opportunity to be the lead actor. I’ll do my best, and hopefully won’t let my team down.–Robbie Hill, ’14

This is the biggest challenge the drama class has ever undertaken. With such a difficult play, comes challenging roles, and senior Robbie Hill takes on the lead for this year’s play. This being his last year on campus, he hopes to be able to impress the crowd, and make it the best play in the school’s history.

“Well this year is our first ever full length musical at Fresno Christian, and I’m happy to say that rehearsals are going well and everything is coming together quite nicely,” Hill said. “Bye Bye Birdie is a really fun musical with a great score and a hilarious plot. Getting to be the lead role in such an amazing play puts a smile on my face, and I can’t wait to put on a good show for the audience.”

Hill will play the role of Albert Peterson, which is the leading male role. He is confident in his ability and is glad to be challenged by the complexity of a musical.

“Not only is this my first lead role at the school, I get to be the lead in the first ever Fresno Christian musical,” Hill said. “I am extremely excited, but also very honored that I get the opportunity to be the lead actor. I’ll do my best, and hopefully won’t let my team down.”

Drama Director Susan Ainley has considered doing a musical for many years. The number of drama students this year made it possible for her to pursue her goal. She chose Bye-Bye Birdie for its lovable plot and lively music.

“I have been thinking about this for a long time,” Ainley said. “When I saw I had thirty students signed up for drama this year, I knew we would do it. I love this musical, it’s fun and exciting. It has great characters that the audience will love. The music from the time period is great too.”

Timothy Nyberg, ’16, is excited to see history being made. After watching a snippet of the musical during a Tuesday chapel, he looks forward to seeing the entire production.

“I think it will go great,” Nyberg said. “They did amazing during chapel and I’m really excited to see the entire play. It seems like they have worked really hard and I think it will all pay off. It will be cool to see the first ever musical at FC.”

Ainley anticipates a spectacular performance from her drama students and is eager to see the senior students try something new in their last semester of drama class. She encourages the FC community to join the audience.

“I have complete confidence that this amazing group will put on the best show ever,” Ainley said. “I can tell that my lead characters all practiced over break, and their solos sound wonderful. Everyone is trying to give their best, and we are having so much fun learning to dance! I am excited to watch the senior drama students perform a musical in their last semester of high school and I hope everyone comes to the performance to support the drama class.”

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors and military.

This writer can be reached via Twitter: @RRoggenstein. Follow The Feather via Twitter: @thefeather.

For more features, read the March 5 article, Orchestra aids drama department in first musical.