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Open Fields Community Theater will present the Broadway hit “Bye Bye Birdie” for two weekends, January 14-15 and 20-21. Members of the community are invited to “Put on a Happy Face” and sing along with Albert, Rosie and 60’s teen heart throb Conrad Birdie as they hatch a plan for Conrad to give “One Last Kiss” to a lucky young fan before being drafted into the Army. Kim MacAfee has just been pinned to Hugo Peabody and is considering her resignation from the Conrad Birdie Fan Club when she receives word that she has been chosen for Birdie’s ‘Kiss.’ Meanwhile, Rosie Alvarez is desperate to convince Conrad’s manager and her longtime boyfriend, Albert Peterson, to give up the family business and go back to college. This Musical features classics such as “Put On a Happy Face,” “Lotta Livin’” and “Telephone Hour.”
This year’s Open Fields production will welcome alumni back to the stage including New York actress Sarah Clancy, who, with special permission from Actor’s Equity Association, will play the role of Rosie Alvarez. Nick Maletta, a Boston-based actor and Open Fields alum, will play the role of Albert Peterson. Tina Greenfield, co-founder of Open Fields, will play the part of Mae Peterson, the overbearing and ex-vaudeville mother of Albert. Mrs. Greenfield has played a central role as a leader for the children of Open Fields for more than 16 years.
This year’s production will feature two different casts: a kids cast featuring children in all roles and an adults/kids cast. According to Keith Greenfield, founder of Open Fields and director the show, “The power of mentorship that is at the heart of this production has been invaluable. The adults who are involved in the show have not only provided guidance and warmth to the young actors but have served as true mentors who are devoted to inspiring and supporting the children. The decision to have both adults and children involved in this project and to bring back Open Fields Alumni was to instill a sense of community and partnership between many members of our local community and surrounding towns.”
Since its inception in 2001, Open Fields has produced more than 30 shows and mentored hundreds of children including some who have gone on to pursue professional careers in the arts and refer to Open Fields as their “second family.”
