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  • 1.  Bye Bye Birdie vs Anything Goes for middle school - pros/cons

    Posted 09-15-2023 11:59

    We've narrowed it down to 3 shows and I'd love to hear your pros/cons on two of them. The third is Newsies which I know really well. The two I'd like feedback on are Bye Bye Birdie and Anything Goes - I'm not as familiar with the shows and I'm curious  about what worked, what presented a challenge, what surprised you, the students' reactions, etc. Anything you can share as we sit down to choose the show. For reference, we're a 6th-8th grade middle school with a handful of strong female voices and 2-3 strong male voices (not including any new students who may join us this year). We generally have 60 kids in our productions and a small but healthy budget. Thanks!



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    Carla
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  • 2.  RE: Bye Bye Birdie vs Anything Goes for middle school - pros/cons

    Posted 09-16-2023 09:11

    Anything Goes has a lot of tap dancing, and requires really strong dancers. It's fun.

    Bye-Bye Birdie is also a lot of fun and probably easier for younger students to handle in terms of the dance requirements. 

    I have stage managed Birdie in a youth theatre and with adults. I've only stage managed Anything Goes with adults so my experience is limited.

    Cheers, Linda



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    Linda Apperson
    Stage Manager and Mentor
    Milwaukie, OR
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  • 3.  RE: Bye Bye Birdie vs Anything Goes for middle school - pros/cons

    Posted 09-17-2023 20:42

    This is helpful, Linda, thanks so much!



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    Carla
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Bye Bye Birdie vs Anything Goes for middle school - pros/cons

    Posted 09-18-2023 11:55

    I think the subject matter of Bye Bye Birdie! is much more appropriate for middle school.  And the dancing can be very simple.

    I directed it twice in high school, and I can imagine middle school students having great fun with the show.  Plus, the company is expandable:  "students," reporters, townspeople, background singers on Ed Sullivan, etc. 

    I set it in 1958, which is when Elvis went into the Army.  Poodle skirts are fun, and so easy to make!   



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    CJ Breland
    Retired Theatre Arts Educator
    NC
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