Congregation Har Shalom Performs 'Bye Bye Birdie'

If laughter and camaraderie is the basis of a community theater group, Congregation Har Shalom Players' next production will shine as an example of comedy and family.

The ensemble cast has been working diligently to give audiences a light-hearted revival of "Bye Bye Birdie," to show Feb. 25 -26.

"It’s Sweet Apple, Ohio, circa 1958 and the whole town is abuzz. Before
rock and roll star Conrad Birdie heads off to serve in the U.S. Army, he’ll bestow a final kiss on one lucky teenaged fan. Get ready for zaniness, scorned lovers, songs, dance and hilarity," HSP promises.

A Tony Award-winning success, "Bye Bye Birdie" is a satire set in the late 1950s that pokes fun at America's obsession with rock 'n' roll rivals Elvis Presley and Conway Twitty. The story is loosely based on the media circus surrounding Elvis Presley's 1958 draft into World War Two, and his promise to grant "one last kiss" to a member of the Women's Army Corps.

"It's cute," said HSP director Shelly Horn. "People know the songs and it's enjoyable. Other shows have had a more intense message, but this is just about being happy and enjoying life."

The Har Shalom Players is made up of congregants and community members from around the area, starring a cast spanning multiple generations coming together over a love of performance. "Bye Bye Birdie" is the congregation's seventh production, and over the years the ensemble has grown to just over 75 people, ages ranging from 8 to 80, according to co-producer Stewart Remer.  Typically HSP casts 40 to 55 people in its musical productions.

"There's a real sense of community," Horn said. "It's supportive, it's generations working together. It's a family."

Remer, who has performed in each of HSP's productions since its beginning in 2006, says it is that sense of community that keeps him coming back.

"Without a doubt, it's the camaraderie and friendships that have developed within the Har Shalom Players community," Remer said. "We throughly enjoy supporting and encouraging one another, and we also are very welcoming to new members of the community." 

Performances take place Saturday, Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 26 at
3 p.m. General Admission tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for children under age 13. Patron tickets, which include reserved upfront seating and parking, are $75 for adults and $36 for children.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.harshalom.org or at www.tinyurl.com/BirdieTix. For information on group sales, email play@harshalom.org or call 301-299-7087, Ext. 302.

Ticket pick up and check-in begins one hour prior to the show.