The Ellinwood High School Vocal Music Department presented “Bye Bye Birdie” for their annual fall musical on Nov. 14 and 15, in the EHS Auditorium beginning at 7:30 p.m..
This marks Ellinwood’s first staging of this classic production about a rock and roll singer who is preparing to be inducted into the army. The singer’s manager devises a plan for his big send off into the Army: the heartthrob will give “one last kiss” to a lucky teen girl during The Ed Sullivan Show.
The musical was directed by vocal music instructor Kyla Pearce, with technical direction by Leon Sobba.
The cast featured seniors Elizabeth Frakes as Kim McAfee and Keaton Goering as Conrad Birdie, junior Avery Pike as Albert Peterson, and sophomore Bailey Baird as Rosie Alvarez. Rounding out the cast are: Bryce Baker, Steven Cortez, Drew Dannar, Rachel Dickson, Kynlee Doll, Rachel Doll, Mikey Hughes, Paige Morgan, Hunter Pemberton, Katelyn Robinson, Haley Schwager, Betsy Snell, Mary Beth Thill, and Quincy Williams.
This Young Performer’s Edition of “Bye Bye Birdie” is produced by special arrangement with Tams-Witmark Music Library, Inc. The house was full both nights. Audiences were open with laughter and giggles during the entire evening.   
“I would like to thank Mike Westerman, Leon Sobba, Sharon Sturgis, Julie Ann Jacobs, Jeri Harder and Shawn Henderson for all their help with costumes, sound, lighting, sets, props, and music.” Pearce said and went on by saying, “All of their help made this show a huge success.”