Newtown Stage Co (NSC) recently wrapped up its summer production of Bye Bye Birdie Youth Edition. Concurrently, another cast and crew have been preparing for the second of two full productions the local company will present this season.

Marking the company’s fourth summer of bringing stellar theatrical productions to Newtown and its neighbors, the energy-packed Bye Bye Birdie, with a run time of one hour and ten minutes, delighted audiences of all ages during its July 17-19 run at Edmond Town Hall Theatre.

The production showcased a talented cast of young actors and crew in grades three through eight. Performers hailed from Newtown as well as numerous neighboring towns including Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield, Monroe, Southbury, Trumbull, Redding, Bridgewater, Woodbury, and beyond.

Bye Bye Birdie Youth Edition is an adaptation of the classic Broadway smash hit. Set in the nostalgic 1950s, the story follows Elvis-inspired rock-and-roll superstar Conrad Birdie (played by Devin Macey of Danbury) as he is drafted into the US Army. To give him one final, epic send-off, his stressed agent, Albert Peterson (Noah Napolitano of Newtown) and Albert's brilliant secretary, Rosie Alvarez (Lydia Field of Newtown), concoct a publicity stunt: Conrad will travel to Sweet Apple, Ohio, to give “One Last Kiss” to a lucky teenage fan club member, Kim MacAfee (Carolina Romano of Bridgewater), on The Ed Sullivan Show, much to the chagrin of her parents Harry and Doris MacAfee (Dylan Loucks of Newtown and Alexandra Pustola of Woodbury) — all while Albert’s controlling mother Mae Peterson (Leah Carias of Newtown) keeps Rosie on her toes and the audience laughing.

Complete with timeless, beloved songs like "Put on a Happy Face," "Kids," “The Telephone Hour,” and "A Lot of Livin' to Do," NSC’s production captured the humor, charm, and pure fun of the 1950s.

The show was directed by Katie Bloom (Monroe), with music direction by Kelly Burger (Newtown) and choreography by Erin Loucks (Newtown). Additional crew included Stage Manager Cassidy Bloom (Monroe), Costume Designer Gwendolyn Niles (Easton), Assistant Director Dawn Field (Newtown), and Assistant Music Director Ryan Loucks (Newtown), along with the support of dozens of staff and volunteers from Newtown and surrounding communities.

‘Footloose’ Opens July 31

Now, Newtown Stage Co is gearing up for the final stretch of its summer season with the full length production of Footloose: The Musical.

Performances will again be on the stage of Edmond Town Hall Theatre, 45 Main Street in Newtown.

Curtain is Friday and Saturday, July 31-August 1, at 7 pm; and Saturday and Sunday, August 1-2, at 1 pm.

Based on the 1984 film, Footloose follows Ren (Dennell Sidney, Monroe) and his mother, Ethel (Elizabeth Collins, Newtown), as they relocate from Chicago to the small, rural town of Bomont. Ren is shocked to learn that dancing and rock music have been outlawed by the strict Reverend Shaw Moore (Richard Bierut, Monroe) due to a tragic accident years prior that claimed the lives of four local youths.

Along with his new friend Willard (Kevin Gray, Newtown) and the Reverend’s rebellious daughter, Ariel (Audrey Collins, Monroe) and her friends Urleen (Ellie Harrington, Newtown), Rusty (Amelia Nash, Newtown) and Wendy Jo (Angelina Soto, Newtown), Ren challenges the law.

Despite opposition from Ariel’s controlling boyfriend Chuck (Jake Goelesky, Newtown) and the town council, Ren rallies his new friends to defy the ban, heal the community's grieving spirit, and help the Reverend let go of his grief so the teenagers can finally hold their senior prom and dance freely.

The stage adaptation brings the beloved film to life with high-octane choreography and classic '80s hits, including the title song, “Let's Hear It for the Boy," "Holding Out for a Hero," "Almost Paradise," and others.

This production is being directed by Ryan Loucks, with music direction by Megan Kirk (Newtown), choreography by Erin Loucks and Angelina D’Albero (an actor based out of New York and Connecticut), and stage management by Leah Crebbin (Newtown).

The show features costume design by Kristin Castaldi (Newtown), assistant direction by Dawn Field, and assistant music direction by Jules Kessler (Newtown). The show is co-produced by Erin Loucks and Katie Bloom.

Footloose: The Musical is two and a half hours long, which includes a 15 minute intermission.

Tickets are $20 and available at newtownstageco.com.