With the world slowing but surely returning to normalcy, the Cougar Theatre Company has been hard at work on the spring musical: Bye Bye Birdie! This hit musical follows the story of songwriter Albert Peterson and his long-time girlfriend and secretary Rose Alvarez hatching a plan for teen heartthrob Conrad Birdie to give “one last kiss” to teenager Kim Macafee before he gets drafted into the Army. With Albert and Rosie’s relationship being questioned by Albert’s overbearing mother, not to mention Kim’s jealous boyfriend and frantic parents, hilarity ensues in this 1950’s classic!

In order to create the 1950s aesthetic that Bye Bye Birdie is known for, the set is crucial to make it happen. From a suburban kitchen to a train station, the set pulls the entire show into perspective and makes the show seem even more real. In our case, in approximately a week we had to create a platform with two staircases for scenes and musical numbers. When it comes to blocking a show as well, the set design is vital to keep in mind when performing the scene, and knowing where and how to do so. It takes tons of creativity and detail to make it possible, but the difficulties involved are all worth it in the end.

One of the most important parts of any musical is, well, the music! The genre of the music, for us rock and roll, is bound to get the audience connected to the piece. The cast works rigorously to make each song perfect, from solos like “How Lovely to Be a Woman” to big ensemble numbers like the iconic “Telephone Hour.” Harmonies create this connection, as well as depth to each character. Not including the earworms that will stick with you even as you exit the theatre!

To receive true relatability and reaction from the audience, comedy is key! Sparking a reaction from the audience after a witty one-liner or a physical gag is the most rewarding experience for any actor. Anastasiya Vasilenko, who plays our lead Rose Alvarez, commented: “The comedic timing keeps the audience entertained and allows them to relax. When done right, making the audience laugh is always a good sign.” The delivery of dialogue and the pauses that characters take to allow the audience to digest prior jokes and anticipate a character’s impending actions.

For me personally, I am thrilled to finally be back to doing one of my passions for a full audience! Receiving the role of Mae Peterson is both a challenge and an absolute gift. Being able to find my comedic skills has been so unexpected, but has helped me grow as an actress! The cast has been incredibly fun to work alongside and has helped in this wonderful process. From the principal to the ensemble, a musical turns into a family after three months of hard work and dedication.

This incredible production will be on March 10th, 11th, and 12th in the Colts Neck High School auditorium with more details coming soon! You definitely won’t want to miss this timeless classic, an exhilarating plot, and unforgettable score!

(Shoutout to Iyun Franklyn-Ayeni, Alex Risi, and Anastasiya Vasilenko for their insight for this article!)