In 2014, “Bye Bye Birdie” — the classic Broadway musical and film — was a sold-out Staples Players summer production.
This fall, it will be the award-winning high school troupe’s mainstage show.
To get ready, we offer highlights from 12 years ago. Former Staples media teacher Jim Honeycutt — who filmed most of directors David Roth and Kerry Long’s shows — created this “nutshell” reel. Click here or below to see.
Many cast members have gone on to successful careers, on stage and off. They include:
Clay Singer (Albert Peterson) has extensive theater credits, including “Masquerade” in New York, “Fiddler On the Roof.””The Band’s Visit” North American tour, “Next to Normal,” “Man of La Mancha,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Ragtime,” “The Full Monty — and “Into the Woods” in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Elle Duran (Albert Peterson) s a trans and non-binary actor, singer and content creator. She appeared in the film “1660 Vine,” and guest-starred as Alisha in Abbott Elementary. Elle creates queer-affirming, educational social media videos to support the trans community, and co-hosts the “Trans In Love” podcast discussing relationships and trans family dynamics.
Michelle Pauker (Kim Macafee) is a singer and actor. She has appeared in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Idaho Shakespeare Festival), “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (Great Lakes Theatre Company), and “Into The Woods (Forestburgh Playhouse). On Sunday, her band Back to the Garden 1969 performed at the Levitt Pavilion.
Jack Seigenthaler (Conrad Birdie), from Weston, entered Harvard Law School in 2024. He previously spent several years at the ACLU of Tennessee. In Nashville, Jack managed advocacy campaigns and lobbying efforts at the state legislature, before moving to Brooklyn to serve as policy and budget director for a New York City council member.
Caroline Rossi, now McCluskey (Mrs Doris Macafee) works in public relations and marketing. She lives in New York City with her husband.
Will Smith (Mr. Harry Macaque) studied theater and English and Muhlenberg College. He is now an editor at the Empire Design Company, creating trailers for movies and TV shows.
Joe Badion (Hugo Peabody) is a graduate of Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music. He teaches upper school music at the Town School in New York.
Nick Rossi (Randolph Macafee) is a professional singer, actor and musician. He has appeared regionally in “Master Harold … and the Boys,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Pericles,” “La Cage Aux Folles” and “Jersey Boys.”
Bryan Gannon (Mayor) is an actor and producer best known for his roles as Inspector Lestrade in the film “Sherlock Holmes and the Adventure of the Furtive Festivity,” and on “The Deuce” and “Paramount’s Fences.”
Mackenzie Lavoie (Mayor’s Wife) earned a bachelor of science in arts administration, combined arts and a minor in film and media studies at Wagner College. She is a communications and PR professional specializing in strategic storytelling, media relations and brand positioning.
Keanan Pucci (Maude) graduated from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, contributing to virtual production pipelines and visual development for projects like Netflix’s “Escape from Hat.” His film credits include “An Inconsistent Story in Stealing. Click here for a showcase of his interactive and 3D work.
Noa Wind (Nancy) is a vocalist and performer who has appeared as a supporting chorus member and soloist in high-profile concert events with The New York Pops at Carnegie Hall.
Jordan Goodness (Deborah Sue) is a baritone with extensive experience in Voice Over.
Christian Melhuish (Freddie) is a singer, actor and dancer in New York.
After graduating from Temple University with a BFA in musical theater, Christian has performed regionally around the country. Credits include Jesus (“Godspell”), Romeo (“Romeo & Juliet”) and Bob Gaudio (“Jersey Boys”). He has also performed Off-Broadway and in cabarets and staged readings.
Daniel Pauker (Reporter 1) is a New York-based technical animator. He graduated from Syracuse University, and has a passion for 3D software and systems.
Bailey Claffey (Reporter 3) graduated from Wagner College’s Theater and Speech Department. She has performed regionally, and sang the national anthem before a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden.
(If you like these nutshells — or any other “06880” feature — please click here to support our work. Thank you!)
Senior Center director Wendy Petty calls the students “friendly, patient and encouraging with everyone they help. The program bridges the generation gap, and for the students, it all seems to come naturally. They give our participants reassurance and confidence, helping with tasks that can feel frustrating or overwhelming.”
Roundup: “06880” Comments, Bonnie Raitt, Tennis Court Trees …
The “06880” Comments section has occasionally gone off the rails.
It belongs to all readers — not just a few, who veer off topic or use it to communicate with each other.
Effectively immediately, we’re instituting a few new rules:
A limit of 3 comments (1 initial one, and 2 replies) per thread. This is down from the previous 5. Think before posting: Is this really worth using one of my 3 comments for? (NOTE: This rule can be waived by the executive editor, for truly worthwhile, in-depth and/or serious topics.)
All comments must be directed to all readers. Offer your thoughts to the topic at hand. Do not engage in back-and-forth with 1 or 2 readers. If you do address a specific reader, this is acceptable: “Susie, I’d like to know more about why you think xxxxx. Have you considered yyyy?” Unacceptable: “Sally, were you the person who did xxxx and yyyy?” If you’d like to correspond directly with another commenter, please send me an email. I’ll forward it to that person.
One exception to the above rules: Our Friday Flashback posts are open to unlimited comments, and unmoderated back-and-forth dialogue. Have at it on Fridays at noon! For every other “06880” post: Please use common sense, and common courtesy. Thank you!
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For as long as the Levitt Pavilion has hosted a Big Name for its annual fundraiser, they’ve tried to get Bonnie Raitt.
Last night, they did.
The 13-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member/guitarist whom B.B. King called “the best damn slide player working today” thrilled a sold-out crowd, on a humid but gorgeous evening.
Backed by musicians she’s worked with for decades, the 76-year-old showcased her wide range of guitar and vocal talents, blending rock, blues, country and folk. She even took a turn on keyboard.
The Levitt has welcomed stars like Willie Nelson, John Fogerty, Cyndi Lauper, Smokey Robinson, Chuck Berry, the Tedeschi Trucks Band, and many more.
At last, they’ve added Bonnie Raitt to the list.
Bonnie Raitt, at the Levitt Pavilion. (Photo/Dan Woog)
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A few hours earlier, Westporters took advantage of perfect summer weather to head to Compo.
Longtime beachgoers have noticed an increase in the number of people who actually leave the shore, and go in the water (one of the primary functions of a beach, after all). Sandbars created by recent storms have made it easier to wade out.
This was the mid-afternoon scene. It’s one of the reasons we live here — and love it so much.
(Photo/Dorothy Robertshaw)
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Speaking of Compo: We’ve got a new “06880” header, on our desktop and laptop platforms.
Thanks to William Weiss, for this classic mid-summer view:
(Photo/William Weiss)
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Richard Fogel continues to document the renovation of the Staples High School tennis courts.
Today’s photos show the removal of a number of fir trees, between the parking lot and the courts themselves.
Trees have been removed from between the parking lot (left) and tennis courts (right)
View from the top of the Staples “hill” parking lot. Tennis courts are in foreground; trees that have been removed are center rear. (Photos/Richard Fogel)
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The next Executive Networking Series — set for August 27 (6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nômade), is for the dogs.
The event — bringing business owners, executives, entrepreneurs and local leaders together, while introducing companies to non-profit organizations — highlights the Pet Animal Welfare Society (PAWS0.
The series is a partnership between VTB Financial and Prestige Cabinetry & Design LLC. Click here for tickets, and more information.
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Sure, we understand that registration for Westport Weston Family YMCA programs have already begun.
And yeah, it’s kind of cute that the Y’s promotion includes an orange-clad family, with cute little jack-o-lantern outfits.
But adding a paper pumpkins throughout the building is a bit much.
Dude, it’s August 10th.
(Photo/Dan Woog)
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We’ve gotten a lot of deer photos lately, for our “Westport … Naturally” series.
Sometimes, there are 2 in the shot.
Seeing 3 — including a fawn — is a rarity.
Dalton Delan captured this early morning “breakfast” yesterday, on Spicer Road.
(Photo/Dalton Delan)
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And finally … speaking of the tennis courts (item above):
(Anyone for tennis? How about anyone for clicking here to support “06880,” your hyper-love blog? We’d “love” that. Thank you!)
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Posted in Categories, Entertainment, Environment, Staples HS, YMCA
Tagged "06880" comments, Bonnie Raitt, business networking, Levitt Pavilion, PAWS, Staples High School tennis courts