Kody Earl and Lauren Holt
Bye Bye Birdie, performed by Town of Webb School drama students on Friday and Saturday, March 15 and 16, drew large crowds with 324 in attendance on Friday and 339 on Saturday
Co-directors Anne DeFilipps and Valerie Gaudin, vocal music instructor at Webb, said they were pleased with the turnout of supporters of the production which featured many young actors new to the stage.
“There are always opening night jitters, especially with so many acting for the first time. Then Saturday night comes and they feel like, ‘We’ve done this. We know what to do. Let’s go for it.’ And they did,” Gaudin said.
In front, Caroline DeFilipps. Back row, Mary Roach, Chloe Brosemer, Alexcia LaFountain, Kalyn Olney, Becky Sessions, Melanie Levi, Megan Greene, Holly Kalil, Westly Lamphear, Maggie Queen, Veronica Manzi, Mara Gaffneym Tiffany Outtrim. Photo by Wende Carr
Gaudin expressed gratitude to the stage crew, who she said did a phenomenal job. She also applauded the spirit of teamwork they shared with the actors.
“It just brings tears to my eyes. I watched those kids taking their final bow and thought, ‘I have to do it again next year,’” she said.
The final curtain call, however, was not the end for the students as they showed up at school at noon on Sunday to tear-down the sets and return the stage and gym to its normal state.
When the job was done they headed to Slickers where owners Jim and Leanne Helmes served pizza, wings and soda in a post-play celebration.
Following the school plays, Gaudin traditionally takes a group of junior and senior chorus and senior band members to New York to see a Broadway play.
This year was no different as 99 students and parents boarded buses at dawn on Wednesday, March 19 enroute to see Newsies and enjoy some time in the city.
