Actor finds 'Birdie' a moving experience
When Robert Saoud was cast as Mr. McAfee in the North Shore Music Theatre production of "Bye Bye Birdie," which opens Tuesday, he was thrilled to have the chance to sing the show-stopping number "Kids." But on the first day of rehearsal, he was handed some script changes, including a "dance break" in the middle of "Kids."
"I'm not a dancer," says Saoud, who is familiar to Boston audiences for his recent roles in SpeakEasy's "Some Men," the Lyric Stage Company's "Man of La Mancha," and New Repertory Theatre's "Ragtime." "I'm a character actor, and I usually do what they call 'staged movement.' But everyone keeps telling me I'm perfect for the role, so we'll see what happens."
Set in 1960, "Bye Bye Birdie" follows the chaos that ensues in a small town when a teen idol (based on Elvis Presley) is drafted into the army and his agent creates a publicity stunt in which the idol promises one last kiss to a member of his fan club before he goes. Saoud plays the father of the prizewinner, a man who can't understand his teenage daughter's enthusiasm.
Actor Paul Lynde put his stamp on the role both on Broadway and in the 1963 film, but Saoud says there are lots of other possibilities for the character.
"I don't look for the path of least resistance," Saoud says. "He's gruff, he's probably Republican, but I don't want him to be loud or bombastic. I think deep down, he loves his children and he's trying to take care of them. Any parent would go nuts if he thought his daughter was going to run off with the equivalent of Sid Vicious."
Tuesday through Aug. 12. Tickets: $40-$77. 978-232-7200, nsmt.org.
Notes
"According to Tip," the one-man show about longtime Speaker of the House Thomas P. O'Neill, is extending its run at the Arsenal Center for the Arts through July 17. The New Repertory Theatre production stars Tony Award winner Ken Howard. Tickets: $35-$55. 617-923-8487, newrep.org. . . . Image Theatre's production of "Kerouac's Last Call" will play Boston Playwrights' Theatre Thursday-July 26. The play, which stars Image Theatre artistic director Jerry Bisantz as Kerouac, is written by Newsday reporter Patrick Fenton. Tickets: $20. 866-811-4111, theatermania.com. . . . Company One has delayed the opening of John Kuntz's "After School Special" until July 18. The late-night programming will begin at 10:30 p.m. after performances of "Assassins" at the Boston Center for the Arts' Plaza Theatre. Tickets for "After School Special": $17. 617-933-8600, bostontheatrescene.com.
