Written by orange• July 27, 2025• 3:02 am• Laguna Playhouse, Musical, No Square Theatre, Review, Uncategorized

Bye Bye Birdie @ No Square Theatre – Review

photo credit: Sarah Whitwell

Written by Patrick Chavis

Bye Bye Birdie is playing now at No Square Theatre in Laguna Beach, July 18 – August 3, 2025.

This rib-tickling, bonanza of fun, comedy, and charm, with a winning concept, is creatively executed by Director Karen Rymar and only slightly limited by its performances.

Story:

Move over, Beatles. Conrad Birdie is in town, and he is ready to Rock n Roll, chirp chirp. He will also give one lucky lady the smooch of her life, thank you very much. This show is loosely inspired by real-life events surrounding the former King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Through music and song, and lots of screaming girls, we watch the drama unfold as Kim MacAfee (Katie Baker), a Conrad Birdie super fan from the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio, wins the chance to get a kiss from Conrad on live television. What seems like a simple dream come true for Kim is anything but simple.

They transformed this space into a vintage talk show set from the late 1950s. It features some of the best integrated video I’ve seen in a production this year in Orange County, courtesy of Video/Projection Designer James Tran. Tran is legit! The scene is done so well, I got a little lost in the best possible way—the filming and acting in the live-streamed scene. No notes, it is both funny and awkward, but put together flawlessly within this production.

The blocking, lighting, and especially the dancing, were all done incredibly well, utilizing every angle to their advantage. It’s a great presentation, only brought down in some aspects by inconsistent singing. This does not significantly hinder what makes the show so entertaining.

It is a satirical comedy that offers a deeper critique of the pop star and the circus that surrounds it. Some of these actors lean into the comedy in a significant way.

Acting:

The father, Harry MacAfee (Marc Marger), plays Kim’s angry dad, with a heaping helping of neuroticism in his performance, making his presence on stage constantly engaging and full of character.

Katie Baker (Kim MacAfee), the lead in this production, also brought the laughs by just keeping true to the innocence of the character, and the comedy flowed from there. The moments in the Ice House with Conrad Birdie (Hunter Mills) are among some of the funniest moments in the show. Baker’s talents shined through in tunes like “One Boy” and “What Did I Ever See in Him?”

Ensemble members, with especially strong accompaniment from Gia D’Amelio (Deborah Sue, Ensemble) and Sophie Russ (Alice, Ensemble, Dance Captain), helped balance out many parts in this show.

Live music:

I have always had a good experience with the live music at this theatre, and this was no exception—Music Director Diane King Vann, accompanied by a 6-piece ensemble. I double-checked my playbill, thinking there had to be more players back there.

If we’re talking about vocal and acting consistency, that’s Ron Gutterman (Albert Peterson) throughout the entire production. He sang a wonderful rendition of “Put on a Happy Face.” As well as the closer from Gutterman and Martina Y Sanchez (Rosie), at the end of the show.

If you find yourself in Laguna Beach, this would be a rocking good time.