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A CurtainUp Review
By Elyse Sommer
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Barrington Stage Company's Youth Theatre in Pittsfield, MA, is presenting Disney's High School Musical, an international phenomenon of grand proportions. Debuting in the United States on January 20, 2006, the movie has been telecast on every continent, won numerous awards in various categories, spawned a stage production and will be performed on ice at the end of 2007. Almost everyone's high school experiences, regardless of age, are onstage in this enjoyable piece of fluff. This undoubtedly accounts for the great popularity the show has accrued. The original movie was written by Peter Barsocchini with music and lyrics by eleven others. The show is a depiction of teen-age life in a stereotypical high school, but probably not that of an inner-city school. With that caveat, the show has nothing new to offer, but it is entertaining. A take-off on Romeo and Juliet, the protagonists, Troy, the star basketball player, and Gabriella, the shy newly transferred student, are manipulated by Albuquerque's East High School's several cliques including the Jocks, the Brainiacs, and the Drama Club, plus the drama teacher and the basketball coach. The typical adolescent jealousies, egocentrism, and vulnerabilities are all core to the relationships fostered by the competition among the artsy, the jocks and the nerds. Teen-age anxiety is a favorite theme of movies, television, music, books, advertisements, magazines…even Harry Potter questions his relationship with friends, both male and female, while confronting the titanic conflicts thrust at him. In HMS, this angst is made palatable and, of course, everything ends happily. The musical makes a case for understanding and appreciating other people's difference and varying abilities. Troy, for instance, likes to sing, but his teammates and coach, who is also his father, deride that talent. The song “We're All in This Together” serves as the theme as it provides various characters an opportunity to demonstrate their hidden talents, interests and, thereby, their personal lives. This number is the statement the entire show is preaching. For the show to work, the cast has to be energetic and eminently likable, including the villains. Considering that the cast is predominantly young, only two adults are in the cast, youthful vitality possesses the innate ability to cover rough spots and weaknesses in the book. The musical numbers set toes-tapping and plaster smiles on the audience's faces. It is not great music, but it supports the intent and tone of the show, which is to put everything into a Disney-like “It's a small world.” Upon reflection, one should remember that this is a corporate, commercial production. True, adolescence is a very difficult life period, but the glossy and fresh-scrubbed characters in HSM, despite their problems, are not fully indicative of all high school populations. This summer, in particular, the show is sweeping the country in venues from coast to coast. Barrington Stage's production effectively hits all the high notes with vigor and intelligence. The cast is energetic, singing the wide spectrum of songs with insight and flair. The dances staged by director/choreographer Christine O'Grady, especially “Get'cha Head in the Game,” which centers on a basketball practice session, and “We're All in This Together,” are performed with exuberance and assurance. The enthusiasm of the young cast is contagious; one cannot leave this theatre without smiling. DISNEY'S HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Directed and Choreographed by Christine O'Grady Book by David Simpatico Original songs by: Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil; Ray Cham; Greg Cham and Andrew Seeley; Randy Petersen and Kevin Quinn; Andy Dodd and Adam Watts; Bryan Louiselle; David N. Lawrence and Faye Greenberg; Jamie Houston Music Adapted, Arranged and Produced by Bryan Louiselle Based on a Disney channel Original Movie Written by Peter Barsocchini Cast (In alphabetical order): Kathryn Burgner (Cheerleader, Classmate, Performance Art Kid,) Will Carey (Teammate, Kratnoff, Alan, ) Shaina Chappell (Cheerleader, Susan, ) Mitchell Despain (Teammate, Jack Scott) Patience Fairbrother (Cheerleader, Cyndra, Mongo), Mitch Galli (Teammate, James,) Stephanie Hedges (Ms. Darbus,) Bob Herr (Coach Bolton) Christopher Herr (Troy Bolton,) Mark Kenyon (Zeke Baylor) Jessica Kingsdale (Sharpay Evans,) Benjamin Krol (Chad Danforth,) Colin Mackey (Teammate, Performance Art Kid, Ripper,) Tess McHugh (Martha Cox,) Jesse Rothschild (Gabriella Montez,) Anna Shields (Kelsi Neilson) Frances Slote Cheerleader, Classmate, Performance Art Kid,) Jerome Spratling (Teammate,) Tyler Stanton (Ryan Evans,) Alexa Veeder (Taylor McKeesie) Set Design: Eric Broadwater Costume Design: Guy Lee Bailey, and Kristina Sneshkoff Lighting Design: Garrett S. Herzig Sound Design: Daniel A. Little and Sun Hee Kil Music Director: Brian Usifer Running time: 2 hours; one intermission Barrington Stage Company, First Congregational Church, 27 East Street, Pittsfield, MA, 413-236-8888; (south Berkshire county) 413-528-8888; www.barringtonstageco.org 7/18-8/19; opening 7/20/2007 Wed. –Sun. at 7 PM; Thurs., Sat. & Sun. at 2 PM Tickets: $10-$15 Musical Numbers: Act One: Wildcat Cheer/Company Start of Something New/Troy, Gabriella, Company Get'cha Head in the Game/Troy, Jocks Get'cha Head in the Game Playoff/Troy. Jocks Bop to the Top/What I've Been Looking For/Sharpay, Ryan What I've Been Looking For Reprise/Troy/Gabriella Stick to the Status Quo/Company Act Two: Wildcat Cheer Reprise/Cheerleaders Counting on You/Jocks, Brainiacs When There Was Me and You/Troy, Gabriella, Jocks, Brainiacs Start of Something New Reprise/Troy/Gabriella We're All in This Together/Chad, Taylor, Kelsi, Jocks, Brainiacs Bop to the Top/Sharpay, Ryan, Brainiacs, Jocks Breaking Free/Troy, Gabriella, Company We're All In This Together Reprise/Company
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Cast: Sets: Costumes: Lights: Sound: Running Time: Tickets Reviewed by |
Try onlineseats.com for great seats to
Wicked
Jersey Boys
The Little Mermaid
Lion King
Shrek The Musical
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide
At This Theater
Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide
>
Wicked
Jersey Boys
The Little Mermaid
Lion King
Shrek The Musical
Easy-on-the budget super gift for yourself and your musical loving friends. Tons of gorgeous pictures.
Leonard Maltin's 2007 Movie Guide
At This Theater
Leonard Maltin's 2005 Movie Guide
>