State College of Florida to Present "Bye, Bye Birdie"

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF) Music Theatre Ensemble will present the rock-and-roll smash hit, "Bye, Bye Birdie," featuring toe-tapping timeless tunes such as, “Put On a Happy Face,” at 8 p.m., Friday – Saturday, Nov. 4 - 5, and 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6, in Neel Performing Arts Center, SCF Bradenton, 5840 26th Street West. Patrons will be greeted by SCF Collegiate School students in classic 1950s cars one hour prior to each show.

Based on a book by Michael Stewart, the musical, "Bye, Bye Birdie," which includes lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse, is a satire about an Elvis-like superstar, Conrad Birdie. When Birdie receives his draft notice from the U.S. Army, a publicity stunt to send him off with a kiss from one lucky female fan creates hilarious havoc.

Directed by SCF Music Program Director Melodie Dickerson, the production features SCF faculty members and students from the SCF Music Program and the SCF Collegiate School. Members of the creative team include Rex Willis, the musical director of a 12- piece orchestra; Lurray Myers, staffaccompanist; Kelly Burnette, choreographer; Jan Van Wart, set designer; Lorraine Marshall, lighting designer; and Danielle Hartmann, costumer.

General admission is $12. Tickets are $6 for students and SCF employees. For more information, call Neel Performing Arts Center box office at 941-752-5252 or the SCF music department at 941-752-5351. Tickets are on sale beginning Oct. 25. A complete list of music events is available at scf.edu/MusicEvents. Maps and directions are online at scf.edu/maps.