For the past three weeks students attending the Grand Theatre’s senior high theater camp have been hard at work preparing for this weekend’s presentation of the Broadway musical “Bye Bye Birdie.”

Morgan McCrary, who co-directs the production with Erin Gunter, said the group has worked to make their version of “Bye Bye Birdie” one to remember.

“Doing a full-scale production like this in three weeks is next to impossible but somehow they make it happen,” McCrary said. “They make this so easy.”

Gunter said it has been exciting to see the students work so hard preparing for show.

“We are thrilled with their positive attitudes and work ethic,” said Gunter. “They’ve really come together. We have incredibly high expectations for them. This crowd has done a great job with getting it done.”

“Bye-Bye Birdie” is the story of music agent, Albert Peterson, who has arranged for his client, rock and roll sensation Conrad Birdie, to give one last kiss to teen fan Kim McAfee, on the Ed Sullivan Show before being drafted into the Army.

They travel to Kim’s hometown Sweetapple Ohio where having a big celebrity in town really shakes up the locals, especially Kim’s steady boyfriend, Hugo.

The PG-rated show is filled with wonderful dancing and music including the hit song “Put on a Happy Face.” Musical direction is by Julie Bearden.

Leading the cast this year are Ryan Tippens as Albert Peterson, Victoria Staley as Rose Alvarez, Kady King as Kim MacAfee, Thomas Gilbert as Hugo, Derrick Chapman as Conrad Birdie, and Noelle Lashley as Mrs. Mae Peterson. In all there are more than 30 cast members.

Show dates are Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

Adult tickets are $10 and student tickets are $7. Tickets are available at the Grand Theatre box office in downtown Cartersville or by calling (770) 386-7343.