Whether it’s a young orphan searching for her birth parents, or a nun turned nanny, Broadway musicals continue to be an important part of our history.
That’s why Oxford resident Martine Boni has dedicated the last 32 years as an actress for the Ridgedale Players in Troy.
In March, she and another Oxford resident, Abagail Brown, will be performing in the 75-year-old company’s production of ‘Bye Bye Birdie,? even though acting couldn’t be further from their day jobs.
By day, Boni is a special ed paraprofessional at Lakeville Elementary and Brown is a freshman at Oxford High School. By night, they’re both singing and acting under the hot stage lights.
Boni landed the lead female role of secretary Rosie Alvarez, while Brown will play chorus girl Deborah Sue in the cast of 32.
Set in the late 1950s, ‘Bye Bye Birdie? is a lighthearted story reflecting the Elvis revolution and follows Albert Peterson, the manager of rock star Conrad Birdie, who is sweeping through the town of Sweet Apple on a publicity stunt surrounding his being drafted into the Army. Meanwhile, Albert’s faithful but exasperated secretary, played by Boni, hopes he will give up show business to settle down with her and become a respectable English teacher.
Boni said she has been involved in theater her whole life, whether it was putting on shows for the neighborhood or plays in high school.
She snagged many lead roles in her time at Ridgedale, but her favorite was playing Annie Oakley in ‘Annie Get Your Gun.?
‘When I did that show, those were songs that my mom used to sing to me,? she said. ‘It was my first big musical lead.?
In a sort of full-circle moment, Boni was happy to learn her classmate in high school, who played Conrad Birdie, Tracy Altman, would be directing the Ridgedale performance.
‘This is kind of fun to revisit it again,? she said. ‘It’s a part I’ve always wanted to do.?
Like Boni, Brown said she’s been interested in musical theater for a long time and decided to try out for ‘Birdie? as a way to get her foot in the door.
The soprano will be singing in the teen chorus of 10 girls, which she said is the easiest part.
‘It’s easy to sing in a group like this because the girls who are in my range as a soprano, you get more support from,? she said.
The hardest part is getting into character and having two left feet.
‘Having to have the right attitude when you’re saying a line and choreography is hard,? she said.
Being a part of a community theater program can not only be a creative way for kids and adults to spend their time, according to Boni, but as an alternative to paying ‘outrageous? prices for professional theater productions.
‘Who could afford to do that all the time?? she asked.
Boni said she hopes Oxford may one day be home to a community theater where children, teens and adults can help save what she calls a ‘lost art form.?
‘It’s role playing and a great way to express yourself in some ways you just can’t,? she said. ‘I get up there and I just have a ball.?
‘Bye Bye Birdie? will be playing March 2-18 (Fri-Sun) at 8 p.m. Tickets are $16. The theater is located at
205 W. Long Lake Rd. in Troy.