Theatre eXceptional To Present 'Bye Bye Birdie' Sept. 13-16

LARGO, FL – Theatre eXceptional introduces its fourth season of theatre arts and education performances for adults with disabilities with the production of the Michael Stewart’s musical "Bye Bye Birdie" at the Central Park Performing Arts Center in Largo. Following a sold-out Spring Showcase and a production of Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, the cast will again consist of a blend of bay area professional actors and actors with disabilities in this full-length musical production.

Bye Bye Birdie follows the story of rock star heartthrob Conrad Birdie, played by TheatreX newcomer Cameron Patterson, who travels to the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, for a final television performance before being drafted into the U.S. Army. Tensions rise and gossip flies when it’s announced that Birdie will pick one lucky fan to kiss during the final show. Birdie’s manager Albert Peterson, played by Michael Johnson, and assistant Rosie Alvarez, played by Kylee Simon, they soon realize that the residents of Sweet Apple are filled with strict parents, jealous boyfriends, and hoards of squealing superfans that stir chaos wherever they go.

Bye Bye Birdie! is a benefit performance to support Theatre eXceptional, a Blue Butterfly Production. Theatre eXceptional is a nonprofit organization that uses the performing arts to raise awareness, break stigmas, and provide professional education and performance opportunities for adults with disabilities. Through theatre classes held in the fall and spring, Theatre eXceptional provides comprehensive theatre education to students with varying disabilities who have proven year after year that they are capable attaining performance opportunities in a professional theatre setting.

Directed by Theatre eXceptional’s Creative Director Brianna Larson, the musical will run September 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. with Sunday matinee September 16 at 2 p.m. in the Tonne Playhouse at the Central Park Performing Arts Center. This performance is made possible in partnership with The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation and the City of Largo.

Theatre eXceptional presents:

Bye Bye Birdie
By: Michael Stewart
with lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse.
Directed by: Brianna Larson

When: September 13-16, 2018

Opening night: September 13, 7:30 p.m.
Friday & Saturday 7:30 p.m.
Matinees: September 16, 2 p.m.

Central Park Performing Arts Center
105 Central Park Dr.
Largo, FL 33771

Tickets: $20.50 presale, $18 for groups of 10+

Box Office: (727)587-6793 or www.largoarts.com

About Blue Butterfly Productions:

Founded in the summer of 2015, Blue Butterfly Productions is a nonprofit arts organization based in Largo, Florida. Blue Butterfly Productions builds inclusive communities using the power of the arts to connect people and change lives through high-quality educational experiences and performances. Blue Butterfly consists of several organizations including Porch Stories, Theatre eXceptional, and the 4x6 Fest. Blue Butterfly Productions endeavors to be inclusive and diverse; maintain quality and sustainability; embrace risk and provide support; encourage boundary expansion; model dignity, respect, and integrity; be provocative and empowering; provide education and enlightenment; promote acceptance and accessibility; and demonstrate fiscal responsibility. Blue Butterfly Productions serves the community and supports local artists in the pursuit of powerful, meaningful work for cultural enrichment and the betterment of society. www.BlueButterflyProductions.org