July 1, 2005

KEEPING THE ARTS ALIVE

Silver Oak students shine in Bye, Bye Birdie

By Bea Baechle
Editor

“Remember—there are no small parts, only small actors,” Executive Director Rosie Gellman reminded the 60-plus Silver Oak Elementary School cast members in the early rehearsals for the 1960's Broadway classic “Bye, Bye Birdie.”
Sometimes she shared Native American wisdom. “It takes a thousand voices to tell a story.”

Silver Oak Elementary School performed Bye, Bye Birdie as Executive Director Rosie Gellman’s grand finale.

And as the fourth annual Silver Oak school play drew nearer, Gellman added the mantra, “Good, better, best. Never let it rest 'til the good is better and the better is best.”

Sara Segal, who played a leading lady, Rosie Alvarez, joked, “We could make a book of Mrs. Gellman's favorite quotes.”

All joking aside, most of the cast of fourth through sixth graders would agree—the quotes stuck. The messages motivated them. And Silver Oak performed its most sophisticated show to date, entertaining sold-out audiences for three days in March.

The story line
“Bye Bye Birdie” is a musical comedy based on a fictional story that takes place in 1958. It is centered around Conrad Birdie—a hip-thrusting rock and roll superstar akin to Elvis Presley, his agent, Albert Peterson, and Albert's love, Rosie Alvarez.

Albert finds himself in trouble when Conrad is drafted into the army, so he and Rosie come up with a last-ditch publicity stunt prior to his departure—to kiss a teenage girl who is a member of the Conrad Birdie fan club.

The kiss, which is to be televised live on the Ed Sullivan show, takes Conrad to Sweetapple, Ohio, where his lucky fan, Kim McAfee resides. However, things don't go quite as planned once Kim's boyfriend Hugo gets involved.

Added inspiration
Because this was Gellman's last year of working at Silver Oak—and the last show she would direct—and the last year for many of the students who had been in her past shows, everyone was motivated to make the production as memorable as possible.

“It was so inspiring, that I got really emotional, which is unusual for me,” said Amanda Guzikowski, who played Sweetapple teen Ursula, the narrator of the show.

“Without Mrs. Gellman, I don't think this would have happened,” said Tabitha Ahearn, who played two Sweetapple teens, Deborah Sue and Helen. “She's special and fun to be around. She's the Goddess; the shining star we all look up to. It doesn’t matter who you are—she really helps. If you’re a tree, you can be a great tree.”

“She won't rest until it's perfect,” Sara added.

Alyssa Jepsky as Kim MacAfee commented, “It was one of the best school plays I've been in,” noting that the sets, the lighting, etc. were much more sophisticated than other school plays.

Amanda Schmitt, as Kim MacAfee's mother, noted that she's been in almost all of the Silver Oak plays. “This play was very unique compared to the other ones. Mrs. Gellman really focused on the older kids, and we got a lot of instruction on how to really become the character.”

Bitten by the acting bug?
Said Jackson Souza, who played Conrad Birdie, “It was the best play I've been in, because it was exciting for me to be one of the leads.” He attributes his singing ability to his Aunt Lisa, who frequently came down from San Francisco to practice with him and help him strengthen his voice.

Willie Olivas as Albert Peterson, who has been in three school plays, agreed that being one of the leads was “fun going up to the next step.” Yet neither views acting as a life's path.

Some of the girls in the show, however, have definitely been bitten by the acting bug.

At age 6, Alyssa performed in “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat.” Prior to moving to this area from Boston, Alyssa's parents took her on trips to New York to see a show about every three months. She dreams of going to Broadway and Hollywood someday.

Sara has been in shows since third grade and first got interested in theatre when she took a trip to New York to see “The Lion King.” “I remember saying, ‘Mom, I really want to do this.’”

Amanda has been interested in theatre ever since second grade when she saw her first school play at Silver Oak called “Flying Colors.” Today, she and her friends produce shows at her home. “I love the experience of the lights on you, having fun, there's just something about it …”

Amanda, Sara and Tabitha Ahearn also take voice lessons with the same instructor at Almaden Music and Dance, Simona Snitkovkyaya.

“We found something that we really love,” said Tabitha. “I think that's why we get along so well, because we have so many common interests.

“It was just really exciting being with all my friends,” she continued. “Mrs. Gellman is just a wonderful director, encouraging everyone to show so much emotion. You're not Tabitha on the stage, you're a citizen in Sweetapple.”

Large network of helpers
More than 40 parents volunteered their talents to create the sets, costumes, props, publicity, programs, tickets, concessions and more. In addition to Gellman, teachers Colleen Burge, Anita Chang, Lori Murnin and Jennifer Shirts helped direct the show.

Parent Gina Elkins choreographed the show, Suzanne Dewosky managed the set, Tammy Welsh played the piano, and Mandy McCurdy managed the production. Danny Hern adapted the original script for younger audiences.

Editor’s Note: Rosie Gellman will be working in the Evergreen School District office administering a kindergarten through sixth grade “Step Up to Writing” program that helps teachers more effectively teach their students how to write. Watch the Times for more details in August.

CMT presents Bye, Bye Birdie July 15 - 24

If you missed Silver Oak's production of “Bye, Bye Birdie,” you're in luck! Children's Musical Theater San Jose's Rising Stars will be performing “Bye, Bye Birdie,” July 15 - 24, at the Montgomery Theater in downtown San Jose at the corner of Market and San Carlos streets.

The show features Evergreen residents Danny Gould, Kyle Hauge, Eric Rapinchuk, Stephanie Roca and John Sousea, plus another 20 children from the community supporting roles.

Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children ages 12 and under. The Special Target® Family Matinee performance is Saturday, July 16 at 2 p.m., and all tickets are just $7.25.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the CMTSJ web site at www.cmtsj.org or phone the CMT Box Office at (408) 288.5437.