Not much happens in the town of La Porte, Ind.. Some of the biggest events are the county fair and the local high school’s football games. Other than that, the only thing that it’s known for is its corn. This year, the local theatre is hoping to change that.

Called the La Porte Little Theatre Club for its relatively small size, the board decided to develop a production of the classic musical Bye Bye Birdie to celebrate its 92nd year of function. This play is shooting to kick off the season with a bang, with plans of standout characters and strong performances in order to breathe life into the otherwise quiet town.

With a colorful cast of characters, Bye Bye Birdie mixes a nostalgic feel for the 50’s with a modern dilemma. Katy Gartland, director of Bye Bye Birdie and president of the LaPorte Little Theatre Club, said the main plot involves a famous (and infamous) teenage rock singer by the name of Conrad Birdie being drafted into the Army. To make him go out with a bang, his label manager decides to televise a musical performance in the small town of Sweet Apple, Ohio and holds a contest for one lucky girl to give Conrad a farewell kiss before he is shipped out. The winner of the contest is a local small town girl, who gleefully accepts as she is a loyal fan of Conrad. However, hilarity ensues as her jealous boyfriend gets involved and afterwards everything spirals out of control. Not unlike similar situations known today, this play pokes fun at the idea of rabid fanbases and what some people will go through just for a chance of meeting a superstar.

Gartland describes the show as “colorful and vivacious.” She said she’s been passionate about theatre since her first memories of the art at age 12, and was in the show choir throughout her schooling years. Now, Gartland has been with the La Porte Little Theatre Club for the past five years, working with its many patrons and actors to spread that love of theatre to the surrounding area.

“I love the energy theatre brings out.” she said. “[It’s] very inspiring.”

Her main source of joy comes from the songs that the cast sings during productions, with her favorites being “Put on a Happy Face,” “Healthy, Normal, American Boy” and “Spanish Rose,” in which the lead actress rants about her mother-in-law’s racist attitudes towards her Spanish heritage.

“Always go to shows.” Gartland said in regards to those interested in joining. “You’ll never know what you’ll get out of it, but you’ll get something and you’ll pick things up.”

Bye Bye Birdie has currently gone through its first few shows, but can still be seen Oct. 7, Oct. 8 and Oct. 9, with the Friday and Saturday evening shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee starting at 2:00 p.m. The show can be seen at the La Porte Little Theatre Club, located on 218 A Street in La Porte, Ind.. Tickets are $15 per person or $12 with a valid student ID.