Houghton Lake Bye Bye Birdie a Delight

The audience filed into the auditorium waiting breathlessly for the start of the school play. A special treat. Backstage, last minute touches were applied to the stage props and costumes. The actors nervously rehearsed their lines one last time before the curtain went up. Showtime. The play went off flawlessly without a hitch and finished to a standing ovation of the 300+ students and parents. That was 1973 and the only school play I ever acted in. It was glorious.

The Houghton Lake High School production of Bye Bye Birdie went off smoothly if not flawlessly. There were some apparent jitters as some of the lines seemed a bit hurried at times. And one or two momentary pauses as though lines had been temporarily forgotten. Such is opening night.

The opening night gremlins were also present and up to their old tricks. The audio system filled with static several times during the first act, possibly the result of static electricity due to the inclement weather and the costume sweaters. And numerous times the microphones cut out. Through all of this the company maintained professionalism and continued on as if nothing happened.

My hat's off to all the cast members for a fine performance. And to the performers who sang the solo numbers a job well done. I know that it's difficult to be onstage in front of friends and family but that it a hundred times harder to sing (unless you've been drinking in a karaoke bar). Overall the evening was delightful and the cast and crew appeared to have fun. Kudos to the orchestra who also played very well.

If your going to either the Friday or Saturday performance and don't already have your tickets, I suggest getting there a little early as the seats are assigned and it takes a while to get though the line at the box office.

Until tomorrow then. Good night.

Ken