Brockton High School’s rite of spring – its blockbuster musical – is now underway and friends of the BHS Drama Club are actively seeking sponsors to help finance the impressive production. More than 150 students are taking part in the production of “Bye Bye Birdie” as actors, dancers, tech crew, building and set crew, orchestra musicians, and make-up and hair stylists, said BHS Drama Director Robert Hogan.
Right now, you’ll hear the sound of hammers as the set crew builds an elaborate 1950s town that welcomes the title character, an Elvis-styled crooner who comes to a small town and sets the citizenry aflutter. The dancers are blocking their steps, the actors are learning their lines, and the orchestra crew – a mix of student and professional musicians – are perfecting their notes.
“Theater is all of these beautiful pieces of curriculum all woven together – it’s a comprehensive program. Students are learning math and construction skills on set building, computer and organizational skills on lights and sound, and literature and comprehension through the script,” Hogan said. “They are also learning confidence, teamwork, collaboration and effective communication. They are developing a passion for being part of something that’s larger than themselves, something they can put their stamp on make their community proud of.”
The show will be held May 16-18. Drama boosters are hoping to raise funds to offset the cost of the rights to the script and music, lumber and materials for the set, costumes, lighting, printing and other essesntials for this show. Hogan said that while it’s a big lift, the money raised for the musical actually funds the drama program for the entire year, including the December play, Febfest celebration and the school’s contest play, which this year made the state finals of the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild competition at the Hancock Auditorium in Boston.
“This pays for an entire season of theater – rights, royalties, the set, the lighting, everything,” Hogan said. “We are so lucky that Brockton supports the arts, and we are hopeful that our community will help this year as Bye Bye Birdie is a big production, and one that I think will appeal to generations of theater fans.”
"Bye Bye Birdie" is a 1960 Broadway musical with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Lee Adams, based on a book by Michael Stewart. It's a satirical look at the music industry, set in 1958, and follows teen idol Conrad Birdie as he faces being drafted into the army. The musical explores themes of celebrity, teenage angst, and the changing world of the 1950s.
Hogan chose a classical musical this year after having staged contemporary productions (Mamma Mia! and The Wedding Singer) in 2023 and 2024. It’s important to introduce students to a variety of musical and editorial composition during their high school career, so that they have a flavor of all styles, Hogan said. Additionally, “Birdie” will have a larger orchestra and dance company.
“Bye Bye Birdie has great energy, some really excellent songs and I think our audience is going to be wowed by the set, the technical aspects and of course top notch acting and singing,” Hogan said.
Sponsorship forms are available at the Brockton High School main office, 470 Forest Avenue, or through Drama Club students and parents. Sponsors will be listed in the program; the 2024 production sold out all three shows, so it’s a wonderful advertising opportunity for local businesses.
Tickets are on sale now at the BHS main office and through drama club students and parents.