Bye Bye Birdie is returning to the Shadbolt

Lively City column by Dan Hilborn
Published Oct. 30, 2004


The smash 1950s era rock and roll story of Bye Bye Birdie is coming to the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts next month.

The Footlight Theatre production tells the coming-of-age story of rock and roll star Conrad Birdie, who stages a publicity stunt before heading off to join the army during the Second World War.

First produced more than 45 years ago, Bye Bye Birdie is loosely based on a chapter in the real-life story of Elvis Presley. The play is full of clever humour and great music and includes such familiar tunes as Put on a Happy Face and A Lot of Living To Do.

Footlights director/choreographer Peter Jorgensen said he was attracted to this play because it allowed him to bring together a large chorus of teenaged actors and singers.

"I've worked with a lot of exceptional teenagers," Jorgensen said. "I knew the big, energetic teen chorus would be tons of fun."

Designer Rene Schindel has created costumes that are both nostalgic and fun to remind audiences of the 1950s setting of the play, while Lance Cardinal and Jeff Cox designed sets that reflect the vibrancy of the era.

Jorgensen and musical director Christopher King are delighted with the choice of actors.

Dane Szohner plays Conrad Birdie, Alexander Ferguson is his manager and Laura Cowan plays the love interest. Amber-Grae Coe is the target of Birdie's last kiss, while Brett Trach plays her 'long-suffering boyfriend.'

Bye Bye Birdie runs from Nov. 12 to 27 with shows Wednesday to Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m. Tickets are $12 to $25, with $5 discounts on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Call the Shadbolt box office at 604-205-3000.

FULCRUM PROJECT

An art project that hopes to shed light on the issues of poverty is getting a helping hand from a retired Burnaby computer lover.

Alan James is one of the founders of the Fulcrum Project, a loose coalition of artists and activists, who hope to tell the personal stories of people living in poverty across B.C.

"This whole issue of poverty is a taboo subject," James said this week. "People who are in poverty are typically ashamed or afraid to discuss it, and those on the other side - like the supporters of the Safe Streets Act - just want to sweep it under the carpet.

"So, we're planning an art show in April with any kind of public space we can get. Unfortunately, we have no funds whatsoever."

The Fulcrum Project hosted a one-day art show on Oct. 17, the United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, at the site of a former provincial welfare office. Now, they're looking for help to get their spring show off the ground.

The group is seeking professional and amateur artists willing to discuss their personal experiences with poverty, plus a sponsor who can donate gallery space.

Organizers also hope to take their show around the province, and have been in discussions with groups in the Queen Charlottes, Lillooet, the Sunshine Coast and Victoria.

James said he is involved in the Fulcrum Project because he believes that most people have a basic misunderstanding about the causes and effects of poverty.

"I'm semi-retired with a reasonably comfortable pension and I feel I am very, very lucky," he said. "Believe me, the people in rural India are just as smart and just as hardworking as we are. The only difference is they had their start in a different situation.

"The same is true if you're born a First Nation's child on a poor reserve. You simply won't have the same chances as someone who is born in West Point Grey."

Artists or others interested in helping out The Fulcrum Project can contact James through the website www.thefulcrum project.org or by calling 604-420-0771.

CRAFTY CHRISTMAS

Burnaby's own Lotus Miyashita will be among more than 200 artisans who will have tables at the 31st annual Circle Craft Christmas Craft Market, taking place from Nov. 10 to 14 at the Vancouver Trade and Convention Centre.

Miyashita is a graduate of Emily Carr who has had shows on Granville Island, at the Powell Street Festival and the East Vancouver Farmers' Market.

Other artists will exhibit all kinds of handmade crafts ranging from weaving to woodworking, puppetry to jam-making. The 31st annual Circle Craft Christmas Craft Market costs $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors, $12 for a full pass, and kids under 12 are free.