Custodian's voice has been known to sweep audiences off their feet
School district employee starring in Moorpark musical
By Eliav Appelbaum Acorn Staff Writer

DUAL ROLES- Simi Valley resident Paul Bartlett plays the lead role of Albert Peterson in the musical production of "Bye Bye Birdie," playing now at the High Street Arts Center in Moorpark. When he's not lighting up the stage, Bartlett is serving the community's students as a plant custodian for the Simi Valley Unified School District.

Call Paul Bartlett the singing custodian.

Since the 39-year-old Bartlett was 5, he's enjoyed performing on stage, a passion he still pursues when he's not fulfilling his duties as a plant custodian for the Simi Valley Unified School District.

Bartlett is currently playing a lead role in the musical "Bye Bye Birdie" at the High Street Arts Center in Moorpark. The musical will end its run Sunday, Sept. 16 with a matinee at 2 p.m.

"I just have a great time doing it," Bartlett said. "I enjoy being with the cast members and being a part of the team. It's an awesome experience to create a story for the audience."

For the school district, Bartlett handles building maintenance, doing anything from stocking supplies to programing alarm codes. In "Bye Bye Birdie," Bartlett plays music agent Albert Peterson, a character played by Dick Van Dyke in the original 1960 Broadway production.

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"Albert Peterson's caught up in the music industry trying to promote Conrad (Birdie). Albert doesn't see the hints thrown at him from his secretary, Rosie," Bartlett said.

"The evolution of the show is when Albert comes to the realization of who really loves him and the whole drama with his mom, who's really protective of him. It's about him finally letting go of being a momma's boy and getting into a serious relationship. . . . It's basically a love story."

It's a slightly different premise from his very first role as one of the three wise men in his kindergarten's production of the story of Christmas. But performing and singing on stage has always been a labor of love.

"It's a gift given to you, and it's a matter of expanding on it," said Bartlett, who also enjoys hiking, mountain biking and trout fishing around Heber City, Utah. "You have a choice to capitalize on it or ignore it as a little kid. I just went for it."

L.J. Stevens, the general manager of the High Street Arts Center for just over a year, thinks Bartlett has contributed immensely to the production of "Bye Bye Birdie." Stevens is also the producer of the musical.

"From a producer's standpoint, he has a beautiful voice," Stevens said. "He's consistent both in his performance and his commitment. He gets along very well with the rest of the cast. He takes his artistic commitments very seriously, and he's very talented. He has a gorgeous voice. . . . He's also friendly and outgoing, sweet and charming."

Stevens said Bartlett's range can be heard in the song "Talk to Me."

"He hits a beautiful high note and then immediately follows that with a gorgeous low note," the producer said. "He's got a terrific vocal range. That particular number really shows it off."

Born in California, Bartlett was raised in Grantham, Pa. After serving in the military, he found his way back to Simi Valley and has been working for the school district for 13 years.

Bartlett studied for 10 years with Simi Valley voice teacher Dean Thompson, who passed away about two years ago. He's currently without a voice teacher.

Bartlett estimates he's performed in 25 to 30 productions, and there are still certain roles that he'd especially like to tackle. One such character would be Robert Louis Stevenson's conflicted Dr. Jekyll.

Bartlett is currently rehearsing for "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," a comedic musical based on an unfinished novel by Charles Dickens. "The Mystery of Edwin Drood" will run at the Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center from Sept. 8 through Oct. 14.

Bartlett hopes to continue performing for now, but might choose a different path in the future.

"At this point, I want to continue to perform," Bartlett said. "Someday, I would like to teach. I've studied classically for many, many years. I know how hard it is to find a good voice teacher with good technique. Someone with bad technique can ruin somebody. I would like to pass my knowledge on."