On May 7, 8, and 9, a rock icon will come to R.E. Bennett. There will be screaming girls trying to get a glimpse of or grab of this rock legend. His name is Conrad Birdie, and you can see him too, if you come to the W. F. West's spring musical Bye Bye Birdie.

Since the beginning of 2nd semester, W.F. West students have spent mornings, afternoons, and evenings, singing, dancing, and learning lines for this musical. Director Brian J. Adams said, "Rehearsals have been going very well, people are knowing their lines, and the songs. I've been very impressed."

"It's a late 50s, early 60s, rock and roll extravaganza. It's loosely based on the life and times of Elvis Presley. A rockstar icon (Todd Mittge) takes over a small town to bestow his one last kiss upon a young woman(Lindsay Oldroyd), before going into the Army. And the events that occur when a jealous boyfriend tries to stop the kiss, her father (Chris Judd) won't stop meddling in her affairs, and the whole town is turned upside-down as they try to get a look at Conrad Birdie," said Adams.

Vocal director and sound engineer David Judd said, "Rehearsals have been going really quite well. They still have some maturing to do as they grow into their character; so that they really feel like that person."

While there is a lot of acting in this musical, Judd said, "One of the most important things is preparing the musical aspects. This would be an easy play without the music. We have to prepare actors to sing and work with the orchestra."

The pit orchestra, under the direction of Dan Judd, has been rehearsing since the beginning of 2nd semester.

Mittge tried out for Bye Bye Birdie because "I had heard that musicals were a lot of fun, and this was my last chance to be in one." He has had an enjoyable experience so far, but admits that he doesn't like the "long repetitive practices."

Junior Lauren Rasmussen, who plays Rosie Alvarez, enjoys doing musicals, but doesn't like the practices either. "The early morning practices were just too early for me," said Rasmussen.

While most of the action the audience will see takes place on stage, there is just as much action going on backstage as well. Sophomore technical director Owen Unbehaun said, "There are costumers, directors, backstage crew, and the lighting crew, I'd say they do easily as much work. Tech people have to be involved and on cue the entire show."

Junior set director Dave Lanning agreed. "A lot of people you can't see do a lot of work. If we miss a cue, it's a very big deal," said Lanning. Lanning favorite part of the show is the end. "Assuming the show goes well, as we have the potential for, the applause at the end if just great, and there is a sudden release of tension," said Lanning.

David Judd said, "Kids are not going to want to miss the show. It's going to be a high point for the year. The audience will always remember Bye Bye Birdie for the rest of their lives. It's extremely entertaining."

Adams said, "This is one of the biggest shows W.F. West has ever put on in terms of having a large cast. It's a high-budget production with lots of music, choreography, wonderful costumes, and 15 different sets. It's a toe-tapping, good-feeling show. You'll leave feeling good and singing the songs. It's a high-energy production for the whole family."