Ages 6 to 12 put on a fabulous rendition of Disney’s High School Musical.  The set design was simple yet very effective.  The sound was great as was the lighting.  Although the costuming may sound simple for 60 high school students, it was elaborate and done with precision to make each child in the play look the part of a high school student.  Layered clothing, hats, different socks etc. gave each actor his or her own style for their character.  The choreographer, Jenna Thomas, really helped pull the group together with simple touches to each song even in the background of the duets.  The song Status Quo was choreographed to show each side of the lunch room “talking” back and forth with the music and words. 

There are many stars in this production and the entire ensemble is very important all the way through the play.  The setting: East High where Troy and Gabriella meet up for a second time and find that their differences may upset their friends, the Drama twins and the entire school, but will only make their romance and friendship grow.  In their duets, Troy (Stuart Coulston) and Gabriella’s (Grace Haase) voices blend very nicely together.  Troy has a strong and very pleasant voice and Gabriella has a sweet voice that gets better and better throughout the play. In their duet Breaking Free they rung out strong and clear and perfectly pitched, and their dancing was superb. 

Ryan (Alec Nieusma-Gano) and his thespian sister Sharpay (Toni Priebe) make a perfect pair with their dancing, singing, and interplay.  Ryan has a wonderful smile, his dancing is fluid, and his singing is absolutely the tops.  Sharpay walks with overconfidence as she rules the campus, and her exaggerated gestures and emotions make her a perfect thespian leader.  

Ms Darbus (Audrey Ballard) and Coach Bolton (Mitch Conrad) make wonderful adults in this play.  Ms. Darbus is mesmerizing with her costume of a long skirt and her prominent and graceful hand movements as she talks about the theater that she loves so much.  Coach Bolton plays an excellent hard-nosed coach and father.  His fights with “Darbus the deranged” are funny and make for the interchange between the two teachers a “Joy” to watch. 

The poise in every single main actor and the ensemble cast is evident, showing just how hard each of these kids worked.  Chad (Jalen Alexander) smiled during all the dancing making his steps and rhythm look effortless.  He also has a very marvelous singing voice.  Zeke (Sam McIntosh), another basketball player, also has a pleasant voice and he stayed in character whenever he was onstage whether or not he had any major part in the scene.  This was true for many of the students.  Jack (Patrick Hill) does a splendid job with his “Peeps” talks that take place between many of the scenes.  Kelsi (Sunny Gathright) shows her talents all during the play as her character grows and changes.  

The entire ensemble cast of the Junior Troupers from Kids On Stage really made a believer out of me that they were not 6-to-12 years old but, 15-and-above high school students in all the different cliques that you see on a high school campus anywhere in the U.S.  Overall the acting, dancing, directing, sets and everything it takes to put together such a major production was brilliantly done and deserved a standing ovation.

Performed March 10 -11, 2007.

Roshelle Hall