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CAPE FEAR MEMORIAL BRIDGE: Updates, resources, and context

Communique: The Birds Attack! | Hitchcock Horror Adapted For Stage Hilarity (Cast Photos)

James Bowling
(L-R) Grant Hedrick, Kenny Rosander, Craig Myers, and Woody Stefl

Credit James Bowling
Steve Vernon, Artistic Director of Big Dawg Productions & director of The Birds Attack

Wilmington theater director Steve Vernon often has something unusual or unheard of for audiences; his current endeavor is par for the course. The show is The Birds Attack, an unauthorized parody of Hitchcock's classic film, The Birds. Notably, all the human characters in this show are played by men- men in drag for the female characters, while the birds are played by 4 women. All the scenes (and many lines) from the movie are included. As the Artistic Director of Big Dawg Productions, Vernon discovered this play while searching for a companion piece for another Hitchcock adaption the company staged this season (The 39 Steps). This Wilmington premier is only the 3rd time the show has been produced.

Vernon classifies this comic take on The Birds as a mixture of Monty Python, Mel Brooks, and Rocky Horror Picture Show -absurd, silly, and bawdy (plus cross-dressing). He says the show is fast-paced with equal parts wit and physical comedy, with some hectic chase scenes. The show is recommended for adult audiences. Listen to Vernon talk about the show above. Interviewer Gina Gambony is playing a bird in this show. 

The Birds Attack, adapted by Jimmy Janowski, directed by Steve Vernon. Thursday, Friday 10/27 & 28 @ 8:00. Saturday 10/29 @ *5:00. Sunday 10/30 @ 3:00. Thursday, Friday, Saturday 11/3-5 @ 8:00. Sunday 11/6 @ 3:00. *Note special showtime on 10/29.

The Birds Attack runs for two more weekends at Cape Fear Playhouse on Castle Street. Tickets are available onlineor at the door; reservations can be made by email or telephone 910-367-5237. Three of the four shows opening weekend were sold-out. 

Credit James Bowling
Addison Happer plays Cathy Brenner

Credit James Bowling
Charles Calhoun (left) and Lee Lowrimore play various roles in the show

Credit James Bowling
Kenny Rosander plays Melanie Daniels, the role that launched the career of Tippi Hedron

Credit James Bowling
Grant Hedrick plays Annie Hayworth, Suzanne Pleshette's role in the film
Credit James Bowling
Craig Myers plays mother Lydia
Credit James Bowling
The birds are played by Jaimie Harwood, Erin Miller Stevens, Gina Gambony, Shawn Sproatt