Auditions for Big Summer Musical!

Riverbank Community Theater takes steps to further establish a tradition of the fun time summertime musical as it announces auditions for “Bye-Bye Birdie" on May 3 at 9 a.m. in Escalon.

Last summer RCT re-opened the Del Rio Theater with a rendition of “Oklahoma!" that had the city talking. Five of the six August shows were sold out and numerous people were turned away as word of the outstanding singing, dancing and pageantry spread.

“Bye-Bye Birdie" should be much the same. Set in classy, yet campy 1958, the musical features a bevy of teens, stressed-out parents, an Elvis-like teen idol, and plenty of memorable tunes.

“This show is full of familiar songs that a lot of people don’t realize come from “Bye Bye Birdie," Director Robin Bjerke said.

Indeed, among the musical offerings are the songs “One Boy" (“One boy, one special boy…"), “Put on a Happy Face" (“Gray skies are gonna clear up, put on a happy face…"), and “Kids" (“What’s the matter with kids today…").

The show will be performed the first two weekends of August and in order to bring this Tony Award winning musical comedy to its full glory, RCT is going to plenty of singers, dancers and actors.

Auditions will begin at 9 a.m. in the room behind Arthur Sipma Insurance at 1700 Main St. in Escalon. Everyone should have one song prepared that may be sung a cappella or with CD accompaniment. A dance routine will be taught at the audition.

Hopefuls should also contact RCT to express their interest beforehand. Visiting the RCT web site at www.rctheater.org will give actors the chance to fill out a cast bio form and look at a list of available parts.

The same experienced leadership team from “Oklahoma!" returns with Bjerke to produce this show. Deb Dooley will once again direct the music, and Ros Elliott will be the stage manager. All, along with production assistant Dave Weltner, have been hard at work since February.

Reflecting back on last year’s success, Bjerke pondered what an effort like this means to the people who are involved.

“A group of people will come together—many of whom don’t know each other—and when they work together as a team and create something that hundreds of people are going to enjoy, they will have an experience that will last forever," Bjerke said.

Part of the experience will include an orchestra, so musicians can contact Bjerke at 480-2601 or e-mail RCT at auditions@rctheater.org. Musicians will not be needed at the Saturday auditions.