The show must go on.

There are 42 cast members rehearsing for four performances of Bye Bye Birdie in Kyogle this month.

Fingers crossed, there won’t be a covid case in Kyogle LGA. Or lockdown. Or anything else to stop the performance.

Producer and director Lynette Zito said if there was a postponement because of covid restrictions, tickets would be honoured and the show would be rescheduled.

For now, it’s all systems go and the cast did a full-dress rehearsal on Sunday.

There are 20 children in the Village Hall Players show and it is the first time Lynette has directed a musical.

The youngest cast member is eight years old and the play features guest appearances from three local RSL sub branch members.

“This play means such a lot to me,” said Lynette, who acted in the same play years ago.

Lynette enthused about the help she had been offered with the Kyogle performance. Rex Forwood has volunteered as musical director and Chris Wesely as sound engineer.

When Haylee Holliday heard Lynette needed ballet dancers, she sent over some of her dancers from Ascent Dance Studio in Kyogle.

Casino’s Josh Macdonald plays the character of Elvis. The 16-year-old has already acted in quite a few VHP and DIRT productions with Lynette.

“I’ve been building my repertoire,” Josh said.

Leading man Lucas McKey is from Evans Head. His character Albert is a songwriter and manager to Elvis.

“My singing teacher told me to act,” Lucas, who plays opposite Liesl Pederson, said.

Bye Bye Birdie is the first play he has been in.

The 2½-hour performance is not to be missed. The hall is spacious with room for 80 covid-safe seats. Tickets available at the door.

Bye Bye Birdie is at the Kyogle Memorial Institute Hall this weekend and next – August 14, 15, 21 and 22.

This article appeared in the Richmond River Independent, 11 August 2021.