08/07/2026
Thank you so much. Very honored.
Opening Night Magic! đźŽâť¤ď¸Ź Bye Bye Birdie Soars at Lyman Hall
What a fantastic way to spend opening night! Last night, Thursday, August 6, the Wallingford Community Theatre transported the audience straight back to 1958 with a joyful, energetic, laugh-out-loud production of Bye Bye Birdie at Lyman Hall High School. From the moment the curtain rose until the audience leapt to its feet for the finale, it was clear this production was a labor of love by an incredibly talented cast, crew, and creative team.
A huge congratulations goes to Mary Ellen Kingsland-Eckels, founder and director of Wallingford Community Theatre, for bringing together a cast that perfectly captured the charm, humor, and heart of this beloved classic. Every scene moved effortlessly, balancing comedy with heartfelt moments.
The choreography by Carolyn Lavelle was outstanding. The large production numbers were lively, polished, and packed with energy, making full use of the enormous cast. Madelyn Bennett deserves tremendous praise for her technical direction and excellent sound and lighting design, while David Stein's set direction and Bob Bender's leadership in set construction created the perfect nostalgic backdrop. Charlie Forte kept the production running smoothly as props and production assistant, and the phenomenal period costumes by Amanda Perrone and Tricia Perrone completed the illusion, making us feel like we'd stepped back into 1958.
Leading the cast, Sal Vernali was absolutely wonderful as Albert Peterson. He truly channeled his inner Dick Van D**e, creating a perfectly lovable Albert that had everyone rooting for him to win the girl... and finally stand up to his overbearing mother!
Laci Mapes was simply stunning as Rose Alvarez. Her professional-caliber voice elevated every musical number, especially her brilliant performances of An English Teacher and Spanish Rose. She brought warmth, humor, and determination to Rose, making her impossible not to love.
Mike Cocchi had all the swagger and charisma needed for Conrad Birdie, effortlessly playing the heartthrob whose arrival turns Sweet Apple upside down. His performance of A Lot of Livin' to Do had the audience smiling from ear to ear.
Perhaps one of the evening's most inspiring performances came from Savannah Gallagher as Kim MacAfee. Despite performing with a broken ankle, she delivered a standout performance filled with grace, charm, and a gorgeous singing voice. Her determination only made her performance more impressive.
Daniel Del Prete brought an endearing sincerity to Hugo Peabody, Kim MacAfee's devoted boyfriend. His earnest performance made Hugo instantly likable, and his interactions with Savannah Gallagher felt genuine and sweet. Daniel balanced the character's youthful awkwardness with plenty of charm, making Hugo an important part of the show's heart.
Real-life husband and wife Joe Passaretti and Jen Passaretti brought wonderful chemistry to Mr. and Mrs. MacAfee. Their comedic timing felt effortless, and their family dynamic was completely believable.
A young performer to watch is Zachary Quinlan as Randolph MacAfee. He displayed remarkable natural talent, confidence, and stage presence that suggest a very bright future ahead.
Laurajean Vaughn was hilarious as Mae Peterson, making Albert's overbearing mother both convincing and delightfully exasperating. Every scene she entered generated laughs.
The supporting cast added tremendous personality throughout the evening. Emma Smith perfectly captured the star-struck excitement of Ursula Merkle, while Ben Matthews earned plenty of laughs with his wonderfully squeaky-voiced Harvey Johnson.
Several smaller roles became unforgettable thanks to outstanding performances. Suzanne Merski was absolutely hilarious as Gloria Rasputin, while Dave Wall brought just the right amount of grouchy charm to Charles R. Maude.
The younger cast members also shined throughout the evening. Madison Perrone was delightful as Alice, the Mayor's Daughter, bringing enthusiasm and bright stage presence to every appearance. Kayleigh Crouch gave a spirited performance as Deborah Sue Merkle, adding to the excitement and energy of Sweet Apple's enthusiastic teenagers. Both young actresses were wonderful contributors to the production's lively ensemble scenes.
Among the adults, Cheryl Jones made the most of her role as the Mayor's Wife, helping bring the quirky (and fainting) citizens of Sweet Apple to life with warmth and personality. Becky Loomis, as Mrs. Merkle, was equally enjoyable, adding another memorable member to the town's colorful cast of characters. Together, they helped create the sense of a close-knit small town that is so essential to the charm of Bye Bye Birdie.
Special recognition also goes to Edward McCarver, whose portrayal of Ed Sullivan was nothing short of phenomenal. His impersonation captured the legendary television host so perfectly that it felt like watching the real thing.
Many cast members skillfully doubled roles throughout the production, including Michael Lepper, Dan Murphy, Edward McCarver, Bob Bender, Charlie Forte, and Jeffrey Necio, all of whom helped create one of the evening's biggest highlights: the unforgettable Shriner's Ballet. It absolutely brought the house down and proved to be one of the audience's favorite moments.
The impressive children's, youth, and adult ensembles filled the stage with incredible energy. Congratulations to Zachary Anastasio, Evelyn Mae Arens, Emberly Conway, Avianna Grace Del Prete, Antonio Joseph Rafael Martinez, Adele Nero, Hailey Nimani, Hadley Oliva, Owen Rivard, Adelyn Ruiz, Romy Thompson, Ellijah Wiedenmann, Isla Winkler, Avery Germond, Eveline Jones, Julia Michalowski, Sami Murphy, Kadence Damato, Emily Slay, Julia Quinlan, Lara Mae Raynis, Amelia Santillo, Caroline Vernali, Joey Gallagher, Carol Forte, Sara Haller, Karen Pepin, and Stephanie Rosentreich for helping create such a vibrant, full production.
The evening ended on the highest possible note as the cast returned after curtain call to perform the fan-favorite "Kids." Before long, the entire audience was on its feet, clapping and singing along—a perfect ending to a wonderful night of community theatre.
Bravo to everyone involved with Wallingford Community Theatre's Bye Bye Birdie! This production is filled with heart, talent, laughter, and nostalgia. If you have the chance to see it this weekend, don't miss it—you'll leave smiling, humming the songs, and feeling like you've spent an evening in 1958. Congratulations to the entire cast, crew, orchestra, and production team on a truly memorable opening night! đź‘ŹđźŽđźŚź
