‘Bye Bye Birdie’ puts on a happy face

A local sixth-grader is getting a big debut in a well-known musical.

Madison Rysavy of Austin will perform in the Broadway show “Bye Bye Birdie” at the Rochesterfest celebration in June with the Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota.

The show follows a rock and roll star, Conrad Birdie, who is drafted into the army and a plot is hatched by his agent to sell his new song, “One Last Kiss.” Birdie lands a farewell performance on the Ed Sullivan Show, where he will kiss a lucky fan (Miss Kim MacAfee) on live television as a symbolic goodbye to his fan club. The good citizens and local teenagers in Sweet Apple, Ohio, take center stage as Birdie arrives in town and the plan begins to unravel.

“Bye Bye Birdie” is a four-time Tony Award winner, including Best Musical in 1961, featuring tunes like “Put On a Happy Face” and “A Lot of Livin’ To Do,” plus comedic action, dancing and a good musical score. The show is the third musical Madison has done with Honors Choirs (2013 – Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; 2014 – The Music Man). She has also sung with Honors Choirs during our regular season for the past three years.

The cast includes over 75 singers, actors, dancers and musicians of all ages. The fully-staged production includes a full-pit orchestra. Director Luke Davidson will lead his first Honors Choirs summer musical and will be joined by Pat Anderson as musical director and Katie Cook as choreographer. This is Honors Choirs’ eighth musical production.

Four performances will take place: June 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m., June 27 at 8 p.m. and June 28 at 2:30 p.m. – all at Autumn Ridge Church in Rochester (3611 Salem Road SW).

Seat prices range $10 to $25, and there are group discounts for 15 or more — all seats are assigned. Tickets for the shows are available from Honors Choirs: www.HonorsChoirs.org or 507-252-0505.

SportsPlus

Mower County

A new reason to run: After diagnosis, Austin grad is looking to raise funds to fight MS

Mower County

SWCD board chair to serve as VP for state group

Mower County

Minnesota DNR: Enjoy the ice over the holidays, but check it often

Education

Education Briefs

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

Convictions: Dec. 9-16

Crime, Courts & Emergencies

G. Meadow man sentenced for drug charges, challenges pre-investigation in 2nd case

Mower County

Eastbound I-90 lane, ramps reopen in Austin as Cedar River bridge completed

News

A Place for Romantics: New downtown bookstore for romance is a dream for its owner

Agriculture

Voigts honored for conservation farming practices

Business

Austin realtor honored with Realtor Emeritus Award

Agriculture

Grant available to aid in weather resilience

Mower County

In Your Community: Asian Student Union donate 30 blankets to Mayo Clinic

Mower County

In Your Community: Austin Youth Hockey Peewee B shops for family

Brownsdale

In Your Community: Brownsdale Study Club

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge

Mower County

In Your Community: Mower County Senior Center

News

Minnesota House tie in peril after judge rules DFL lawmaker can’t be sworn in

News

Unwelcome holiday guests: RSV, flu and COVID-19 on the rise

News

Minnesota deputies saw 250 animals suffering at purported rescue. Weeks later, only 70 were left

News

Federal Reserve cuts its key rate by a quarter-point but envisions fewer reductions next year

Education

Riverland Community College celebrates remarkable enrollment growth

Mower County

Photos: Singing the song of the season

Mower County

Driver in crash that injured Wyatt Hamlin arrested in Tennessee

Mower County

UPDATE: Thursday brings another chance for snow, winter weather advisory issued