Broadway arrives in the North Boroughs this week, with the staging of two standards of American musical theater at local high schools.

Northgate students will take audiences back to the era of Elvis and the earliest days of rock 'n roll with its production of "Bye Bye Birdie," while Avonworth students will drop back a few years more, to the Roaring ‘20s, with its presentation of "Mame."

Although Northgate director Karen Klicker did not know it when she cast the show, "Birdie" opened in New York 50 years ago this week. The musical became a staple for high school and community players and enjoyed a Broadway revival this past year. And even though many audience members may never have seen the Ed Sullivan Show or can remember much about Elvis, they can identify with the themes of rebellious kids and frustrated parents.

"It's such a good show for students. They can have fun doing it and it brings out some wonderful performances. I cast my shows with an independent panel of judges who pick what they think will be the best show for us to do. Everyone agreed that ‘Birdie’ was the best show for our talent."

The production brings together over 75 students on stage and behind the scenes on stage crew and in technical positions.

Show dates are April 10, 16 and 17, with a 7:30 p.m. curtain. Tickets cost $8 for adults, $5 for students.

Also dating back to shows that first opened in the 1960s, "Mame" presents student performers with "…the challenge of mature language, Roaring ‘20s character types and myriad dance numbers of all flavors," according to director Deborah Frauenholz.

Nearly 70 students from grades 6-12, performing as well as working crew and tech, bring to the stage the story of Mame Dennis, an eccentric socialite whose lifestyle is suddenly altered when a man "…walks into her life" one day -- her young nephew, who is sent to live with her following the death of his father.

"We've had great fun recreating the by-gone era of speakeasies and nightclubs, socialites and sophisticates. The audience is in for a toe-tapping, side-splitting, laugh-a-minute extravaganza!" Frauenholz said.

The show runs April 14, 15, 16, 17 at 7:30 p.m.. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for students, and may be reserved at avonworthtickets@comcast.net or purchased at the door.