Performing Arts Academy's Bye Bye Birdie opens this weekend

The Performing Arts Academy opens its annual spring musical this weekend — and director Tim Holmes says the cast of 48 is ready after eight weeks of intensive rehearsal. Holmes joined Galesburg's Morning News Tuesday with cast members Mallory Fineran, a senior at ROWVA High School playing Rose Alvarez, and Dean McNally, a freshman at Galesburg Junior-Senior High School playing Albert Peterson. [caption id="attachment_699142" align="aligncenter" width="800"] From left: Mallory Fineran, Dean McNally, and Tim Holmes at WGIL on Tuesday, April 28, 2026. (WGIL)[/caption] Topics covered in this interview: The story of Bye Bye Birdie — Conrad Birdie, the army, and the mayhem that follows him to Sweet Apple, Ohio The iconic score — "Put on a Happy Face," "A Lot of Livin' to Do," "Kids," and "The Telephone Hour" The set design inspired by the TV show Laugh-In Mallory Fineran on playing Rose Alvarez — a departure from her usual roles Dean McNally on playing Albert Peterson — a role he's wanted for years The challenge of moving from rehearsal space to the Orpheum stage The Performing Arts Academy — what it is, how it works, and how to register Two daytime shows Friday for elementary students The volunteers who make it all happen   Bye Bye Birdie performance schedule: Friday, May 1 — 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2 — 7 p.m. Sunday, May 3 — 2 p.m.   All performances at the Orpheum Theatre, Galesburg. Tickets available at the Orpheum box office and website at GalesburgOrpheum.org. Registration for the next Performing Arts Academy season opens to the public during this weekend's show run. WATCH ON YOUTUBE: [widget id="custom_html-302"]