DHS Seniors End on a High Note with 'Bye, Bye Birdie'

While their performance may only last a few hours, ’s seniors are working hard to make this spring’s musical part of their lasting legacy. Bye, Bye Birdie opens this weekend and the seniors of the musical theatre department look to make their final production on the DHS stage a memorable one.

Director Lance Norris took time out of the hectic dress rehearsal to express pride in his performers.

“The nice thing is that some of [these] kids have never done theater,” Norris said. “Maybe they’ll make it a profession. There are definitely some trying to hone their craft.”

Music director and live orchestra conductor Scott Abrahamson said that the student performers have been hard at work since winter break in January. He said the kids are nailing their parts with great success in spite of the frequent school closings.

Coming down to the wire in rehearsals, Abrahamson said he left little room for tomfoolery in these last few days before opening night. 

“[There was] huge improvement in the last run,” he said.  “[They’re finally] seeing what it’s all about.” 

Norris echoed Abrahamson’s sentiments.

“From the spot rehearsals to dress rehearsals, [I think] it kind of clicked in,” the director said. “Kids were saying ‘ooh wow.’”

Norris attributed the student’s rapid improvement to the live orchestra and professional step direction. The show’s choreographer, Jay Polite, joined the production just two weeks ago to fill a needed void. Even in the short time with the cast and crew, Polite was impressed with the students’ work ethic.   

“I am enjoying it; the kids work really hard,” Polite said. “They wanted a choreographer. It’s their senior performance, and they wanted to make sure they’d be ready.”

The Dedham High School senior class production of Bye Bye Birdie will take place Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19 at 7 P.M.  

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