June 10–29, 2025
In This Program
Letter from Executive Director
Welcome to The 5th Avenue Theatre Company’s production of the Tony Award® winning Bye Bye Birdie! This joyful, high-energy musical has been charming audiences for generations with its catchy songs, lively dance numbers, and loving satire of America’s youth culture, celebrity, and small-town life. And it’s never been on the The 5th’s stage before now!
The production you’re about to see has been lovingly crafted by some of the Pacific Northwest’s most talented theater workers, folks who live and work in our region, along with some of musical theater’s brightest talents from across the country. We are proud to bring a mix of local and national talent together to craft a musical just for you. In a world that moves faster every day, today we invite you to slow down, laugh a little, smile a lot, and savor the fun fun of Bye Bye Birdie’s musical comedy genius.
While we celebrate the rock ‘n’ roll spirit today, we’re also looking ahead to After Midnight in August and our bold new 2025/26 season. Rebel. Rejoice. Rock On. It’s a powerful mix of passion, powerhouse performances, and pure entertainment—including the launch of the First National Tour of Suffs, the Tony Award®-winning musical about the brilliant women who fought for the right to vote. Next, we welcome the National Tour of Chicago, making its debut at The 5th with its dazzling tale of fame, fortune, and all that jazz. For the holidays, Elf the Musical brings the beloved film to life in a heartwarming, hilarious musical treat. In the spring, get ready for the outrageous comedy of Monty Python’s SPAMALOT, packed with legendary humor and over-the-top antics. Finally, we close the season with Jesus Christ Superstar, the electrifying rock opera from the acclaimed Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Great musicals live here at The 5th—and there’s no better time to be part of it all.
Subscribe today for the best seats at the best prices, plus fantastic benefits like free parking on evenings and weekends for five-show subscribers. Visit 5thavenue.org to secure your seat. And to all of you who have already subscribed for the 2025/26 season—thank you! Your passion for musical theater is what keeps our stage lights shining.
Before Conrad Birdie says “bye-bye,” make sure you’re part of everything still to come. We’re so glad you’re here. Enjoy the show!
Bill Berry
Executive Director, The 5th Avenue Theatre
The 5th Avenue Theatre Company
Executive Director
BILL BERRY
PRESENTS
A MUSICAL COMEDY
Book By
MICHAEL STEWART
Music By
CHARLES STROUSE
Lyrics By
LEE ADAMS
Originally Produced by
EDWARD PADULA
Book Revisions by
ROBERT CARY AND JONATHAN TOLLINS
Featuring
PAUL ABWAO ELLIOTT AILLAUD ANIA BRIGGS SUSANNA CATHRYN BALLENSKI ANA SOFIA CABRERA CASTRO LIZ CONLON CONOR THOMAS CRAGGAN RIVER DEJONG KEKOA DILAY KEONI DILAY CANDICE SONG DONEHOO PARKER DROWN ASHLEY PÉREZ FLANAGAN JAZMIN GORSLINE TORI GRESHAM ALEX HERNANDEZ CRISTIN J. HUBBARD ISAIAH HYDE JORDAN KING LIAM KURIATNYK ASHLEY LANYON LESLIE LAW NICK MCCARTHY MACKENZIE NEUSIOK CASEY RAIHA SOPHIE TAYLOR KLARA TUININGA KARIN TERRY AMANI VELADA ALEX WALTON NOAH WEISBERG CHAILIA WENDLAND JASON WEITKAMP TY WILLIS
Scenic Designer
LEE SAVAGE
Costume Designer
MELANIE TAYLOR BURGESS
Lighting Designer
XAVIER PIERCE
Sound Designer
KEN TRAVIS
Hair/Wig & Makeup Designer
JULIETTE LEWIS
Associate Director
ANA MARÍA CAMPOY
Associate Music Director
MICHAEL MATLOCK
Associate Choreographer
PAMELA YASUTAKE
Casting Director
DEDRA D. WOODS
Associate Scenic Designer
LOGAN GREENWELL
Associate Lighting Designer
THORN MICHAELS
Associate Sound Designer
LIAM STECKLER
Costume Design Assistant
TY PYNE
Senior Director of Production
JOAN TOGGENBURGER
Director of Production
RYAN GASTELUM
Technical Director
MATTHEW CARLETON
Costume, Wardrobe, & Hair Director
SHANNIN STROM
Production Stage Manager
ERIN B. ZATLOKA
Music Director & Conductor
BETH G. TANKERSLEY
Choreographer
JIMMY SHIELDS
Director
PAIGE PRICE
Bye Bye Birdie is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Tams-Witmark LLC. www.concordtheatricals.com
The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio/visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited, a violation of the authors' rights and actionable under United States copyright law. For more information, please visit www.concordtheatricals.com/resources/protecting-artists.
Marleen and Kenny Alhadeff
Cast and Crew
Cast
(in order of appearance)
Albert Peterson
NOAH WEISBERG
Rosie Alvarez
ASHLEY PÉREZ FLANAGAN
Ursula Merkle
AMANI VELADA
Kim MacAfee
SUSANNA CATHRYN BALLENKSI
Mrs. MacAfee
JAZMIN GORSLINE
Mr. MacAfee
TY WILLIS
Mae Peterson
LESLIE LAW
Conrad Birdie
ALEX WALTON
Randolph MacAfee
ELLIOTT AILLAUD, LIAM KURIATNYK
Gloria Rasputin
TORI GRESHAM
Hugo Peabody
ISAIAH HYDE
Teen Ensemble
PAUL ABWAO, ANA SOFIA CABRERA CASTRO, LIZ CONLON, CONOR THOMAS CRAGGAN, RIVER DEJONG, KEKOA DILAY, ALEXANDER HERNANDEZ, KLARA TUININGA, CHAILIA WENDLAND
Adult Ensemble
CANDICE SONG DONEHOO, JORDAN KING, ASHLEY LANYON, NICK MCCARTHY, KARIN TERRY, JASON WEITKAMP
UNDERSTUDIES
Understudies never substitute for listed players unless a specific announcement for the appearance is made at the time of the performance.
Conrad Birdie—NICK MCCARTHY; Rosie Alvarez—MACKENZIE NEUSIOK; Albert Peterson—PARKER DROWN; Mrs. Peterson/Mrs. MacAfee—CRISTIN J. HUBBARD; Gloria Rasputin—KARIN TERRY; Mr. MacAfee— JASON WEITKAMP; Kim MacAfee—CHAILIA WENDLAND; Ursula—Ana Sofia Cabrera Castro; Hugo Peabody—Alexander Hernandez
SWINGS
ANIA BRIGGS, KEONI DILAY, CASEY RAIHA, SOPHIE TAYLOR
RANDOLPH MACAFEE
ELLIOTT AILLAUD
JUNE 10, 12, 14 MAT, 15 MAT & EVE, 20 EVE, 21 EVE, 25, 26, 28 MAT, 29.
LIAM KURIATNYK
JUNE 11, 13, 14 EVE, 18 EVE, 21 MAT, 22 MAT, 24, 26 MAT, 27 EVE, 28 EVE.
DANCE CAPTAIN
JORDAN KING
ASSISTANT DANCE CAPTAIN
KEONI DILAY
STAGE MANAGEMENT
Production Stage Manager
ERIN B. ZATLOKA
Assistant Stage Manager
JAMIE J. KRANZ
Assistant Stage Manager
QUINN CHASE
Swing Stage Manager
JEFFREY K. HANSON
ORCHESTRA
Conductor
BETH G. TANKERSLEY
Keyboard 1
MICHAEL MATLOCK
Keyboard 2
REBECCA SMITH
Bass
CHRIS JONES
Drums
ALEC WILMART
Guitar
DAN SCHWINDT
Horn
JILL JAQUES
Trumpet 1
BRAD ALLISON
Trumpet 2
MICHAEL VAN BEBBER
Trombone 1
KEITH WINKLE
Trombone 2
ANTONIO PORTELA
Percussion
EM WESTMAN
Reed 1
DEREK SMITH
Reed 2
JORY TINDALL
Reed 3
BRUCE CARPENTER
Reed 4
LORI SHEPHERD
Violin
EMILIE CHOI
ADDITIONAL MUSIC STAFF
Keyboard Coordinator
MICHAEL MATLOCK
Music Assistant
EM WESTMAN
Rehearsal Pianist
DWIGHT BECKMEYER
Rehearsal Drummers
ALEC WILMART, CHRIS MONROE
Musical Numbers
Musical Numbers
ACT I
Overture/Prologue: “We Love You Conrad”
Teen Ensemble
“An English Teacher”
Rosie Alvarez
“The Telephone Hour”
Teen Ensemble
“How Lovely to Be a Woman”
Kim MacAfee
“Put On a Happy Face”
Albert Peterson, Margie
“A Healthy, Normal American Boy”
Rosie, Albert, Teen Ensemble, Adult Ensemble
“One Boy”
Kim, Hugo Peabody, Helen, Penelope, Ursula
“Honestly Sincere”
Conrad Birdie
“Hymn for a Sunday Evening”
The MacAfees
“One Last Kiss”
Conrad
ACT II
“What Did I Ever See In Him?”
Rosie, Kim
“A Lot of Livin’ To Do”
Conrad, Kim, Teen Ensemble
“Kids”
The MacAfees
“Spanish Rose”
Rosie
“Baby, Talk To Me”
Albert, Hugo, Adult Ensemble
“Kids” (Reprise)
The MacAfees, Adult Ensemble
“Ice House Livin’”
Conrad, Teen Ensemble
“An English Teacher” (Reprise)
Rosie
“Rosie”
Albert, Rosie
Who’s Who
(in alphabetical order)
PAUL ABWAO he/him (Teen Ensemble) is so excited to be making his professional debut in Bye Bye Birdie! His previous credits include: Nick Bottom in Something Rotten, Kamiak High School; Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar and Carlos/GM Chad in Legally Blonde, Village Theatre Kidstage! @paul_lj07
ELLIOTT AILLAUD he/him (Randolph MacAfee) is thrilled to debut as Randolph in Bye Bye Birdie. Elliott is a sixth grader who fell in love with theater during a summer camp and now trains with Seattle’s Performers. Recent roles include Grandpa Joe (Willy Wonka Jr.), Hans (Frozen Jr.), and Donkey (Shrek Jr.). Offstage, he enjoys writing stories and time with friends. Thanks to all family, friends, directors and teachers who supported his journey!
ANIA BRIGGS she/her (Adult Swing) is thrilled to be back at The 5th! Some of her favorite roles include: Rita (White Christmas, The 5th), Fabian (Twelfth Night, Seattle Shakespeare Company), and Chiffon (Little Shop of Horrors, Village Theatre). Ania sends love to her family and friends, and as always, to Michelle.
SUSANNA CATHRYN BALLENSKI she/they (Kim MacAfee) is thrilled to be making her debut at The 5th! Susanna has been classically trained in dance at The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles, and musical theater at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Favorite stage credits include Ariel in The Little Mermaid and Lucy in Jekyll and Hyde (Candlelight). Special thanks to Susanna’s friends, family, and incredible partner, Karsen. @susanna.ballenski
ANA SOFIA CABRERA CASTRO she/her (Teen Ensemble, u/s Ursula Merkle) is honored to make her professional debut at The 5th after previously portraying Little Red Riding Hood in The 5th’s Rising Star Project: Into The Woods (2023). Ana Sofia thanks her parents and her family for their unconditional love and support. @simply.anasofia
LIZ CONLON she/her (Teen Ensemble) is beyond thrilled to make her professional debut with The 5th! She recently participated in Rising Star Project and has hoped to return ever since. Recent credits include Regina George (Mean Girls) and Paulette (Legally Blonde). Much love to her friends and family!
CONOR THOMAS CRAGGAN he/him (Teen Ensemble) is beyond stoked to be making his mainstage debut at The 5th. Select credits include Rising Star Project: Something’s Afoot (The 5th), A Christmas Carol ‘24 (ACT), and the Summer Independent Program: Fiddler on the Roof (Village Theatre). Much love to his family and friends for their support. @conor.craggan
RIVER DEJONG (Teen Ensemble) is a Seattle-based actor. Notable recent credits include Rising Star Project: Something’s Afoot (The 5th) and Fiddler on the Roof (Village Theatre). In high school, he plays football, lacrosse, and wrestles. Off the stage, he enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, and surfing.
KEKOA DILAY (Teen Ensemble) is so grateful to be making his debut at The 5th alongside his brother and friends in this rockstar cast! He recently made his professional debut in Legally Blonde at Village Theatre. Endless love to my family and those who have supported my journey. @kekoadilay
KEONI DILAY he/him (Teen Ensemble) is a Seattle based performer, teacher, and choreographer. Credits include: Flounder in The Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins (The 5th), Mamma Mia! (Great Lakes), Sister Act (Taproot) and Mamma Mia! (Village Theatre). Select choreography credits: Guys and Dolls and Shrek Jr. (Village Theatre KIDSTAGE). Honored to be doing a show with not only his brother but former and current students! Love and thanks to Ari, Mom, Dad, Kekoa and Kapono for all the support! @keonidilay
CANDICE SONG DONEHOO (Adult Ensemble) The 5th: White Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, Sister Act, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Secret Garden, The Sound of Music (twice!), Miss Saigon, Carousel, Sweeney Todd, A Christmas Story. Broadway/National Tour: The King & I, Jekyll and Hyde.
PARKER DROWN he/him (u/s Albert Peterson) makes his debut at The 5th! INTERNATIONAL: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 (Shanghai) NYC/OFF BROADWAY: The Lightning Thief, Cabaret, The Good Swimmer, Carmen, Cock. REGIONAL: Dot, The Thanksgiving Play, Buyer and Cellar; All is Calm, Kid Victory, Hairspray, Spring Awakening, A Chorus Line, Speech and Debate; Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson; Rent (Helen Hayes Award). TV/Film: FBI. Repped by CLAPartners.
ASHLEY PÉREZ FLANAGAN (Rosie Alvarez) Broadway: Freestyle Love Supreme and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. Select Off-Broadway: Safety Not Guaranteed (BAM), The Connector (MCC Theater), Oratorio For Living Things (Ars Nova, Lortel Award), In The Green (LCT3, Lortel Award nomination), The Lucky Ones (Ars Nova), Hadestown (NYTW) Select Regional: Williamstown Theatre Festival, Cowboy Bob (Alley Theatre), The Tattooed Lady (Philadelphia Theatre Company, Barrymore Award nomination), Life After (Goodman Theatre), A Crossing (Barrington Stage Company), Prometheus Bound (A.R.T.).
JAZMIN GORSLINE she/her (Mrs. MacAfee) is happily returning to The 5th, after making her debut as Winifred Banks in Mary Poppins. Recents: Master Class at Riverside Theatre, and the one-person show Tell Me On A Sunday at Judson Theatre. Other favorites: Christine Daaé in Love Never Dies in Hamburg, the National Tour of My Fair Lady, Carnival! at The Kennedy Center, Off-Broadway: She Loves Me; Hello, Dolly!; Fiddler...; Guys and Dolls; and Carousel. Masters from Eastman School of Music. JazminGorsline.com
TORI GRESHAM she/her (Gloria Rasputin) Tori was most recently seen as Dawn (Waitress) here at The 5th and her resume spans multiple theatre houses in Seattle over the last 10 years. Recent credits include Mary Poppins (The 5th) and many productions as a company member of Seattle’s Can Can Culinary Cabaret. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from Texas State University. Love to Jeannie, her fam, the Ruthfields, and all that encouraged her to not give up. torigresham.com @torigresh
ALEXANDER HERNANDEZ he/him (Teen Ensemble, u/s Hugo Peabody) is stoked to be part of his first production at The 5th Avenue Theatre! Previous: Kyle the UPS Guy in Legally Blonde and Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls (Village Theatre). Much love to his family!
CRISTIN J. HUBBARD she/her (u/s Mrs. Peterson) The 5th: Miss Andrew/Bird Woman (Mary Poppins) and Ms. Jones (How To Succeed...). Broadway: The Phantom of the Opera, The Pirate Queen. Other local: Seattle Public Theater, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Village Theatre. Writer, director, teacher, proud union member, and parent.
ISAIAH HYDE he/him (Hugo Peabody) is overjoyed to make his debut at The 5th in Bye Bye Birdie! After performing in Rising Star Project: Something's Afoot, he dreamed of returning to The 5th's stage as a professional and is deeply honored for this opportunity. Regional credits: Mr. Dickens and His Carol (Seattle Rep) and A Christmas Carol (ACT Theatre ‘21 and ‘23). Endless thanks to his family, friends, and the creative team.
JORDAN KING he/him (Adult Ensemble) has his happy face while back at The 5th! Previously at The 5th: Mary Poppins, White Christmas, The Little Mermaid. Other credits include: Village Theatre, Seattle Opera, Showtunes Theatre. Jordan is also a choreographer and dance educator. Love you, Mom! @thatjordanking / jordanbking.com
LIAM KURIATNYK he/him (Randolph MacAfee) is excited to return to The 5th after recently performing in this season’s production of Mary Poppins as Michael Banks. Credits: A Christmas Carol (Tiny Tim) at ACT Theatre, James and the Giant Peach (James), The Music Man (Winthrop) at Tacoma Musical Playhouse.
ASHLEY LANYON she/her (Adult Ensemble) is thrilled to finally check BBB off her musical theater bingo card! Previous at The 5th: Mary Poppins, Something’s Afoot, and White Christmas. Proud Boston Conservatory alum. She graduates June 16 with an MFA in Arts Leadership from SeattleU. Endless thanks to her husband, Harter, for keeping her sane and fed. @ashley.lanyon
LESLIE LAW (Mae Peterson) Favorite roles at The 5th: Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd (2005), Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods, Ma Strong in Urinetown. Numerous productions in 35 years locally at Seattle Rep, Village Theatre, ACT Theatre, Seattle Children's Theatre, Seattle Shakes, Thalia’s Umbrella. Regionally at Arizona Theatre Company, Idaho Rep, Kansas City Rep, and Virginia Shakespeare. Co-creator (with actor/director husband Richard Ziman) of the variety show/podcast Sandbox Radio Live. sandboxradio.org
NICK MCCARTHY he/him (Adult Ensemble, u/s Conrad Birdie) is jazzed to be back at The 5th after last being seen as Huey the Jogger in Waitress and as Northbrook in Mary Poppins. Additional credits include: Danny (The Magic Show), Alceste (School for Lies), and Frederic (Pirates of Penzance). Love to Em and M&D. @Nickcmccarthy
MACKENZIE NEUSIOK she/her (u/s Rosie Alvarez) Credits at The 5th: Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2023). Village Theatre: Hello Dolly (2023), Cinderella (2022), and Guys & Dolls (2019). Mackenzie works throughout the Salish Sea as a dance and fitness instructor and choreographer, and is a member of the Coharie Tribe.
CASEY RAIHA he/him (Adult Ensemble Swing) Credits at The 5th: Cinderella’s Prince/Wolf in Into The Woods, Ensemble in Sweeney Todd. Local Credits: Rob in The Book Club Play (Village Theatre), Lysander in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Seattle Shakespeare), Monty in Violet (ArtsWest). “Love to Meagan and the folks!” CaseyRaihaVO.com
SOPHIE TAYLOR she/her (Swing) is thrilled to be making her professional debut at The 5th. Her favorite past credits include: Karen in Mean Girls and Murderess in Chicago at Big Star Studios. She will be attending the University of Utah in the fall for a BA in theatre! Lots of love to family and friends.
KLARA TUININGA she/her (Teen Ensemble) is thrilled to make her professional debut at The 5th! Past credits: Roxie Hart in Chicago (Big Star Studios) and Lady Grace Manley-Prowe Cover in Rising Star Project: Something's Afoot. She is endlessly grateful for her family, friends, and Big Star community!
KARIN TERRY (Adult Ensemble, u/s Gloria) is absolutely buzzing to make their debut at The 5th. Recent credits include: Cabaret (Sally Bowles) at Harlequin Productions, Camelot at Village Theatre, Sunset Boulevard (Betty) at Showtunes and over 5 years with The Memphis Belles. Love to Nick and family!! @reddkar
AMANI VELADA (Ursula Merkle) is thrilled to join The 5th’s Bye Bye Birdie! Recent credits include: Legally Blonde (Brooke Wyndham) at Village Theatre KIDSTAGE, Disney’s Newsies (Katherine Plumber) at Glacier Peak High School, and SIX: Teen Edition (Katherine Howard) at Ballyhoo Theatre. She is grateful to her mom and vocal coach for their incredible support, as well as her family and friends who inspire her every day.
ALEX WALTON (Conrad Birdie) is positively pumped for his debut at The 5th! Select credits include: Brad in Rocky Horror (Pioneer Theatre), Henry in Next to Normal (Fulton Theatre), Mason on FBI: Most Wanted (CBS), and David in Extra Innings (VOD). Endless gratitude to Paige and the entire team at The 5th for this wonderful opportunity. And a very special shoutout to Schiowitz Artist Management, his amazing, loving family, and Seattle’s own, LMK. Enjoy! @alexinwaltonland
NOAH WEISBERG (Albert Peterson) BROADWAY: Legally Blonde, South Pacific, Enron, Elf. TOUR: Willy Wonka in Charlie And The Chocolate Factory. OFF BROADWAY: Barnes in Cellino V Barnes. TV: Quentin on Netflix’s Super Pumped, Danny Michael Davis on Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, Brett on Modern Family, The Neighborhood, Major Crimes, Law & Order, Good Wife, K.C. Undercover, iCarly, Franklin & Bash, Bad Teacher, Bones, New Normal, Doonce, Snowy Day. EDUCATION: NYU, UCB, Second City. @NoahWeisberg
CHAILIA WENDLAND she/her (Teen Ensemble, u/s Kim) is so grateful to be making her professional debut at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Recent credits include Elle Woods in Legally Blonde and Catherine Parr in SIX: Teen Edition. Much love and gratitude to her family, friends and mentors for their endless support of her dream.
JASON WEITKAMP he/him (Adult Ensemble, u/s Mr. MacAfee) is delighted to return to The 5th after recently performing in Waitress. The 5th: Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Sweeney Todd, and Something’s Afoot. Recent regional credits: Music Circus, TUTS, Ordway. Thanks for supporting live theater!
TY WILLIS (Mr. MacAfee) Fresh off his performance as Morris Golden in the world premiere of Golden at ACT Theatre, Ty is happy to be joining this talented cast and crew of Bye Bye Birdie. A veteran performer, Ty has been seen in most of the major theatre houses in Seattle. Tours: My One and Only, Ms. Saigon, and Dreamgirls. Favorite Regionals: Mary Poppins, Kiss Me Kate, White Christmas, Ragtime, Little Shop of Horrors, On The Town, and Grease. Enjoy the show!
MICHAEL STEWART (Book) (1924-1987) scored on Broadway the first time when he won a Tony Award for his Bye Bye Birdie libretto. He was the librettist for Carnival (Drama Critics Circle Award) and Hello, Dolly!, which earned him both a Tony and Drama Critics prize. Stewart also wrote the lyrics for Barnum and the book for: George M! (with Francine and John Pascal); Mack & Mabel; The Grand Tour and 42nd Street (with Mark Bramble); Harrigan and Hart; and I Love My Wife.
CHARLES STROUSE (Music) (1928-2025) was one of America’s most successful musical theatre composers. His first Broadway musical, Bye Bye Birdie (1960), written with his longtime collaborator Lee Adams, won him a Tony Award and the London Critics Best Foreign Musical Award. In 1970, Applause, starring Lauren Bacall, achieved the same honors, and his smash hit, Annie (1977), written with lyricist Martin Charnin and librettist Tom Meehan, also won Tonys for Best Score and Best Musical, as well as two Grammy Awards. Among his other musicals presented on Broadway and in London’s West End were All American (with a book by Mel Brooks), Golden Boy (starring Sammy Davis Jr.), It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman! (produced and directed by Hal Prince), I and Albert (directed in London by John Schlesinger), and Dance a Little Closer, written with Alan Jay Lerner. His musical Charlie & Algernon won a Tony nomination for Best Score in 1981. Rags (1987), with lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and book by Joseph Stein, received a Tony nomination for Best Score, as did Nick and Nora (1992). Strouse wrote both the music and lyrics for off-Broadway’s Mayor, and teamed again with Martin Charnin to create Annie Warbucks, the sequel to Annie. Strouse’s film scores included Bonnie & Clyde, The Night They Raided Minsky’s and All Dogs Go to Heaven. The Strouse and Adams song “Those Were The Days,” the theme song for TV’s All in the Family, is one of the most popular television themes of all time. “Born Too Late,” a 1958 pop song written with Fred Tobias, was a top-10 Billboard chart hit and is still heard on many oldies stations. Strouse’s musical talents also included chamber, orchestral works and opera. Nightingale, an opera based on the Hans Christian Andersen story for which he wrote the music, book and lyrics, was recorded by Sarah Brightman. Concerto America, composed in 2002 to commemorate 9/11 and the spirit of New York City, received its world premiere from the Boston Pops Orchestra on June 30, 2002, with pianist Jeffrey Biegel as soloist. On This Day, an anthem written for the White House Commission on Remembrance, was performed on Memorial Day, May 26, 2003, in front of the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, Virginia for an audience that included the President and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1999, ASCAP presented Charles Strouse with their coveted Richard Rodgers Award for his achievement in musical theatre. Other awards include an Oscar Hammerstein Award for Achievement in the Theatre from the York Theatre; the Frederick Loewe Award from The Dramatists Guild; and the Creative Arts Award from the Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center. Mr. Strouse was also a long-standing member of the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and the Theatre Hall of Fame. A graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Mr. Strouse studied under Aaron Copland and Nadia Boulanger. In 1977, in just one of many ways in which he sought to pass on his experience to others, Mr. Strouse founded the ASCAP Musical Theatre Workshop in New York, through which countless young composers and lyricists have found a forum for their work. For more, visit: www.charlesstrouse.com.
LEE ADAMS (Lyrics) began his professional career as a journalist, working as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer and editor, and radio writer and interviewer. But his life took a sudden turn when his “hobby” of lyric writing led to Bye Bye Birdie in 1960. This unheralded little Broadway musical was a smash hit and went on to become a classic. Birdie remains one of the most performed musicals for schools and amateur theatres. Adams received the first of his two Tony Awards for Birdie, followed on Broadway by All American (1962); Golden Boy with Sammy Davis (1964); It’s a Bird…It’s A Plane…It’s Superman! (1966); and Applause with Lauren Bacall (1970), for which he won his second Tony Award. In 1972, with his composer-collaborator Charles Strouse, Adams wrote the much-acclaimed musical I And Albert in London. He wrote the lyrics for TV’s long-running All In The Family theme, “Those Were The Days,” which has been heard more often than any other television theme. And with Strouse he wrote the score for the film The Night They Raided Minsky’s, a cult favorite. Among his hundreds of songs, a number have become standards, including “Put On A Happy Face,” “Kids,” “Once Upon A Time,” “Applause,” “Night Song,” “I Want To Be With You” and “A Lot Of Livin’ To Do.” Adams’ other awards include an Emmy for “Let’s Settle Down” from the TV version of Birdie, and the ASCAP Richard Rodgers Award for outstanding contributions to the American Musical Theatre, and his induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He has taught seminars on American musical theatre at Yale, Columbia and NYU, and is proud to be a Life Member of the Dramatists Guild Council.
PAIGE PRICE (Director) is an NYC-based director and producer. Recent directing credits include Steel Magnolias (Best Director, Best Play, Best Ensemble St. Louis Circle nominations), The Wizard of Oz (Musical Theatre West, LA Scenie for Outstanding Revival), Always Patsy Cline (Cape Playhouse), Next to Normal (Fulton Theatre, Audience Award for Best Director), Little Women, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown (Theatre Aspen). Upcoming: What We Leave Behind (World Premiere, Theatre Raleigh), Frozen (Paper Mill Playhouse). As a performer, she starred in the original cast of Broadway’s Saturday Night Fever, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast (OBC) and Smokey Joe’s Café; in her brief tv and film career, she worked alongside Tom Cruise and some other fancy people. Paige was the Producing Artistic Director of Philadelphia Theatre Company and Theatre Aspen. She was 1st VP of Actors’ Equity from 2006-2017, hails from New Jersey, and loves baseball.
BETH G. TANKERSLEY she/her (Music Director) Previous credits at The 5th include: Mary Poppins (Associate Music Director/Keyboard 2), Something’s Afoot (Music Director/Conductor), White Christmas (Associate Music Director/Conductor), Sweeney Todd (Associate Music Director/Keyboard 1), Beauty and the Beast (Associate Music Director/Keyboard 1) and Austen’s Pride (Keyboard 1). Tour credits: Mean Girls 1st National Tour (Alternate Conductor/ Keyboard 1). Regional credits: Seattle Opera, Tacoma Opera, Pacific Northwest Opera, Juneau Lyric Opera, and the UW. Love and gratitude to Nick, Kevin, and Fuller.
JIMMY SHIELDS (Choreographer) is a performing artist and theater maker from the PNW. His love for the performing arts started at a very young age and has taken him all over the US. As a dancer and choreographer, Jimmy has had the opportunity to work with Redd Williams, Emmy Award-winning choreographers Tabitha and Napoleon D’umo (Nappytabs), Disney veteran Jon Jacobson, and famed Seattle Choreographer, Daniel Cruz, just to name a few. Though trained in a variety of styles of dance, he enjoys the freedom of Jazz and Hip Hop the most. Jimmy is a performer at heart and has been performing in theatre and dance throughout the Pacific Northwest for 30 years. He has most recently held production leadership roles including Director, Associate Director, Choreographer, and Associate Choreographer with esteemed companies such as The 5th, Seattle Rep, Village Theatre, Taproot, Seattle Shakespeare, and Tacoma Arts Live.
LEE SAVAGE he/him (Scenic Designer) BROADWAY: The Lightning Thief. NYC: Women’s Project, Second Stage Uptown, Keen Company, Acting Company, Mabou Mines, Labyrinth, Primary Stages, LCT3, Roundabout Underground, Page 73, Atlantic, NAATCO, Clubbed Thumb. REGIONAL: ACT, Asolo Rep, Baltimore Centerstage, Chautauqua, Cleveland Play House, Dallas Theater Center, Glimmerglass, Goodman, Guthrie, Huntington, KC Rep, Long Wharf, Old Globe, Shakespeare Theatre Company, Signature, Philadelphia Theatre Company, PlayMakers, Trinity Rep, Two River Theater, Washington National Opera, Wilma Yale Rep and Others. AWARDS: Helen Hayes, NAACP and Connecticut Critics Circle. AFFILIATIONS: Wingspace and USA829. MFA (Yale School of Drama), BFA (RISD), Head of Scenic Design at Rutgers, Mason Gross.
MELANIE TAYLOR BURGESS she/her (Costume Designer) has designed costumes for over 200 productions for: Seattle Opera, Seattle Rep, The 5th, ACT, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Intiman Theatre, Village Theatre, Seattle Children’s, and many others. Regional: The Guthrie, Pittsburgh Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse, Denver Center, Arizona Theatre Company, Minneapolis Children’s Theatre, Playmaker Repertory Co., Idaho Theatre for Youth, Honolulu Theatre for Youth, and Hawaii Opera. Melanie is the recipient of the 1st Gregory Award for Outstanding Costume Design 2010 and again in 2019, and several other regional Awards. She is a professor of Costume Design at Cornish College of the Arts.
XAVIER PIERCE (Lighting Designer) Goodman Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare, Steppenwolf Theatre, Public Theatre, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Guthrie Theatre, McCarter Theatre Center, Arena Stage, California Shakespeare Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Indiana Rep, Olney Theatre Center, Seattle Rep, Intiman Theatre. A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts. MFA in Design Stage and Film. RECENT CREDITS: Harvey by Mary Chase (Guthrie Theatre). Two Trains Running, by August Wilson. A Raisin In The Sun (Westport Country Playhouse). Two Trains Running (Two Rivers Theatre Company). Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop (Playmakers Rep, Triad Stage). August Wilson’s Fences (Long Wharf Theatre, The McCarter Theatre). The Piano Lesson (Olney Theatre Center).
KEN TRAVIS (Sound Designer) Credits Include: A Chorus Line, Oklahoma, Saving Aimee, Aladdin, Vanities, A Christmas Story The Musical, Guys and Dolls, Candide, White Christmas, Sunday in the Park with George, Hello Dolly, Memphis, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Mame, and Into the Woods. Broadway Designs: In Transit, Aladdin, Jekyll and Hyde, A Christmas Story The Musical, Scandalous, Newsies, Memphis, The ThreePenny Opera, Barefoot in the Park, and Steel Magnolias.
JULIETTE LEWIS she/her (Hair and Makeup Designer) Originally from Arizona, Juliette is a Seattle based wigmaker, cosmetologist, and makeup artist. She has created wigs for theaters across the city, including Village Theatre, Seattle Opera, ACT, and The 5th. Recent design credits include Something’s Afoot (The 5th) and associate designs for Thais (Utah Opera), White Christmas, The Little Mermaid (The 5th), Die Schweigsame Frau (Bard Summerscape), and a smattering of film and commercial work. Love to Kooper and the kitties! @juliette.hmua
ANA MARÍA CAMPOY she/her (Associate Director) is a Chicana theatre artist and activist. Theatre work: The 5th, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Lexington Children’s Theatre, Seattle Rep, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare, Key City Public Theatre, New Mexico Shakespeare Festival, and OSF’s FUERTE. Outside the arts, she organizes with WashMasks Mutual Aid, focusing on farmworker justice through urban-rural solidarity (@washmasks). Love to her spouse and favorite English teacher, Jesse.
ERIN B. ZATLOKA she/her (Production Stage Manager) is always grateful to be back at The 5th where she was last the assistant stage manager on Waitress. Some previous favorites: Mary Poppins, Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion, and White Christmas. All the love to Greg and Zoey.
MICHAEL MATLOCK they/them (Associate Music Director) is a music director, performer, composer, and arranger in the greater Seattle area. Selected writing: song cycle The World is Too Big; musical The Tender Fires. Selected MD/performance: Something’s Afoot, Holiday Inn (5th Avenue Theatre); Hello Dolly!, She Loves Me (Village Theatre); Ride the Cyclone (ACT); The Prom (Tacoma Musical Playhouse). All my love to Sonja, M and D, and as always, thanks to Suzie and RJ. keyofw.bandcamp.com
PAMELA YASUTAKE she/her (Associate Choreographer) is a Seattle native. She trained at NW Tap Connection before moving to NYC and attending Parsons School of Design. Pamela is an alum of The Syncopated Ladies. Broadway: Shuffle Along. TV/Film: The Late Late Show, 70th Annual Tony Awards, Maya & Marty, So You Think You Can Dance, Spirited (Apple) & Unfrosted (Netflix). Pamela is excited to be making her debut as a member of the creative team!
LOGAN GREENWELL (Associate Scenic Designer) expresses his unending gratitude to Lee Savage for this experience. Credits at The 5th include: The Griswolds’ Broadway Vacation (des. Jason Sherwood). Other recent credits include Bye Bye Birdie at The Kennedy Center, Jersey Boys at Weston Playhouse (des. Lee Savage), Death On The Nile at Arena Stage, High Society at Ogunquit, & Little Shop of Horrors at South Coast Rep (des. Alexander Dodge). Love to Sam, Mom & Dad, and Mar.
TY PYNE (Costume Design Assistant) Originally from Las Vegas, Ty Pyne is a Filipinx costume designer and Craftsperson in Seattle. They strive to support young QTBIPOC to see themselves in all aspects of storytelling. Ty seeks to work with material that highlights and honors diverse perspective.
THORN MICHAELS she/her (Associate Lighting Designer) has designed and assisted for The 5th, Seattle Opera, Village Theatre, Seattle Rep, Seattle Children’s Theatre, ACT, Santa Fe Playhouse, Kentucky Opera, Lincoln Center, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, San Francisco Opera, New York City Ballet, and others. She holds an MFA in lighting design from the University of Washington and is the Lighting Design Faculty Member at Cornish College of the Arts. For more about her work, please visit thornmichaels.com.
LIAM STECKLER he/him (Associate Sound Designer) is a Seattle-based sound designer. Recent credits as an associate: The 25th Annual…, Nine, Tick, Tick… BOOM!, Spamalot, Sunset Boulevard (Kennedy Center), Waitress, Spring Awakening, White Christmas, The Wiz (The 5th). He’s previously worked with ArtsWest and Village Theatre. Love to his husband, Justan.
QUINN CHASE (Assistant Stage Manager) Quinn is thrilled to be working at The 5th. Selected Seattle credits include: The Magic Flute, Jubilee, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, A Thousand Splendid Suns (Seattle Opera); Blithe Spirit, Sanctuary City, Selling Kabul, Teenage Dick (Seattle Rep); A Christmas Carol (ACT).
JAMIE J. KRANZ she/her (Assistant Stage Manager) is delighted to be back at The 5th! Last seen as a Swing Stage Manager in Waitress. Credits at The 5th include: Spring Awakening, Something’s Afoot, and White Christmas. Seattle credits include: Seattle Rep, Seattle Opera, Village Theatre, Seattle Children’s Theatre, and ACT.
JEFFREY K. HANSON he/him (Swing Stage Manager) is thrilled to return to The 5th! Proud AEA member for 35 years as part of Seattle’s theater community! Previously at The 5th - The Little Mermaid, The Wiz, Urinetown, A Night With Janis Jopin, A Chorus Line, Jacque Brel…., Oliver!, Candide, Pirates Of Penzance, Grey Gardens, Little Shop Of Horrors and others. Around town productions at ACT, Seattle Rep, Seattle Children’s and Taproot.
ADDITIONAL STAFF
Production Assistants
MAX ZAMORANO, BAYLA JAFFE
Production Runner
TY
Child Actor Guardian
AMY JURKIEWICZ
Scenic Builders
NORBERT HERRIGES, JOE LEPORATI, PEYTON
TALLEY
Head Electrics Builder
TIMOTHY WRATTEN
Electric Builders
ZANNA KING, NICHOLAS SHELLMAN
Lead Scenic Artist
SAMANTHA BATES
Scenic Artist
MORGAN PROIRIER
Automation Carpenter
EMILY KETTLER
Lighting Studio Associate
JONAH BOBLIN
The 5th Avenue Theatre is a member of the League of Residential Theatres (LORT), a nationwide association for not-for-profit theaters.
The actors and stage managers employed in this production are members of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
The Director and Choreographer are members of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union.
Backstage employees are represented by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (or IATSE) Local #15 and IATSE Local #488. Costume shop and Wardrobe staff and Child Actor Guardians are represented by IATSE Local #887. Hair and Makeup staff and scenic painters are represented by IATSE Local #488.
All the musicians playing in the orchestra for this performance are represented by the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada, Local 76-483, AFL-CIO.
The scenic, costume, lighting, and sound designers in LORT theaters are represented by United Scenic Artists local USA-829 of the IATSE.
The 5th Avenue Theatre is a member of the National Alliance for Musical Theatre. Founded in 1985, NAMT is a national service organization dedicated exclusively to musical theatre. Members, located throughout 34 states and abroad, are some of the leading producers of musical theatre in the world, and include theatres, presenting organizations, higher education programs, and individual producers.
The Cult of Celebrity
By Beth Pollack
When Elvis Presley was drafted in 1957 it caused a national outcry; it was front page news across the United States, thousands of fans sent letters pleading for Presley to be released from service obligations, and his regulation haircut was referred to as the “Haircut Heard ‘Round the World.” Conrad Birdie, the titular character of Bye Bye Birdie, is Presley’s fictional counterpart in the musical; the confluence of Birdie’s superstardom, draft notice, and overenthusiastic fan base creates a ripe ground for satirical commentary on the power of the celebrity in the United States. However, the teens of Sweet Apple, Ohio are not the only ones caught up in the throes of celebrity worship. Adults are also apt to fall under Conrad Birdie’s spell and even those who disdain his suggestive rock n’ roll stylings are susceptible to the star power of other celebrities, such as Ed Sullivan. How do celebrities attain so much power and sway over society, and what does it mean about our culture when they do?
Read more about “The Cult of Celebrity,” explore articles that dive deep into the themes of Bye Bye Birdie, and engage in fun activities in our “Inside the Musical” Guide! Visit our website at 5thavenue.org/education/classes-resources/inside-the-musical/
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