APRIL 30, 2009 ISSUE
High School Musical 2 On Stage in Blowing Rock Thursday through May 9
Tickets Available for All Nights
The Rocket Players Youth Theatre performed High School Musical at the Hayes Performing Arts Center in 2007.
Disney’s High School Musical franchise has taken the nation’s youth by storm, and beginning Thursday, April 30, the smash hit High School Musical 2 comes to the Hayes Performing Arts Center in Blowing Rock for a “fabulous” stage production. The Blowing Rock Stage Company production presents a unique opportunity to introduce young fans of the hit television movie to the wonders of live theatre.
The Rocket Players Youth Theatre, a student division of the Blowing Rock Stage Company, will perform the play Thursday through Sunday, April 30 to May 3, and Thursday through Saturday, May 7 to 9. Show times are 7:00 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2:00 and 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 2; 2:00 p.m. on Sunday; and 12:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9.
“If [people] like the movie, they’re going to love the show,” said Chris Wright, director of High School Musical 2. Wright starred as Peter in last summer’s Blowing Rock Stage Company production of Peter Pan. The 1.5-hour play features all of the songs from the movie, special effects and more than 100 props.
“There are some differences,” Wright said. “In some ways, it exceeds what I thought the musical could be. Now that I’ve heard the music, I actually like the stage version better. You get a better understanding of who the characters are and where they’re coming from, and you get to interact with them more.”
The sequel to High School Musical is an energetic play about friendship, loyalty and individuality. It’s summer vacation for the East High School gang, and Troy, Gabriella, Chad and Taylor all land jobs at the local country club, Lava Springs. Sharpay, whose family owns Lava Springs, is intent on breaking up Troy and Gabriella’s relationship so she can have Troy all to herself.
The East High basketball players
With the country club’s annual talent show right around the corner, things begin to heat up as Troy agrees to sing with Sharpay. Using her connections, Sharpay arranges for a number of perks for Troy—including a big promotion—to lure him closer to her. As Troy becomes overwhelmed by his new job and practices with a college basketball team, he begins to neglect his old friends, and his relationship with Gabriella is tense. Troy will be forced to decide what he’s willing to sacrifice for the sake of his future, and all questions will be answered on the night of the country club’s talent show.
The production will include the musical numbers “What Time Is It?” “Fabulous,” “Work This Out,” “You Are the Music in Me,” “I Don’t Dance,” and others. The stage version also includes original choreography by Katie Deal, who borrowed from the 1980s dancing styles of Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul and New Kids on the Block.
“All of the choreography is original, high energy and very athletic,” Wright said.
The Rocket Players Youth Theatre cast stars Hannah Fuller as Sharpay, Matt Delaney as Troy, Zach Emerson as Ryan, Jenna Felice Smith as Gabriella, Lyle Sterne as Chad and Catherine Ledford as Taylor. More than two dozen elementary, high school and college students comprise the cast—from ages 12 to 22.
“Casting was really tough,” Wright said. “We had so many great kids that auditioned—so many kids that could have played many parts.”
The East High Wildcat cheerleaders
And despite the age differences, they all get along great, he said.
“When everybody gets into rehearsal hall, everybody becomes a kid—including myself,” he added.
The High School Musical 2 crew also includes stage manager Desiree Ricker, set designer Tim Billman, costume designer Melody Yates, prop designer Jessical Terhaar, lighting designer Jacob Reeves, sound designer Gary Smith and producer Kim Cozort Kay.
High School Musical 2 premiered as a Disney Channel Original Movie written by Peter Barsocchini.
The Rocket Players Youth Theatre performed a sellout production of High School Musical in 2007, so be sure to get your tickets soon. At $14 for adults and $7 for students, tickets to High School Musical 2 are a steal.
The Hayes Performing Arts Center is located at 152 Jamie Fort Road, off Highway 321 in Blowing Rock. For tickets or more information, call 828-295-9627 or click to www.HayesCenter.org.
Want To Go?
Date: Thursday, April 30, through Saturday, May 9
Time: 7:00 p.m. Thursdays & Fridays/2:00 and 7:00 p.m. Saturday, May 2/2:00 p.m. Sunday/12:00 and 5:00 p.m. Saturday, May 9
Location: Hayes Performing Arts Center, Blowing Rock
Cost: $14 adults/$7 students
High School Musical 2 Cast
The cast of the Rocket Players Youth Theatre production of High School Musical 2 includes students from area elementary and high schools and from Appalachian State University.
Sharpay…………..……….HANNAH FULLER
Troy………………………..MATT DELANEY
Ryan……………….……….ZACH EMERSON
Gabriella…………… ..JENNA FELICE SMITH
Kelsi………………….……JULIA O’CONNOR
Chad…………………………..LYLE STERNE
Taylor………………..CATHERINE LEDFORD
Martha…………….………..……..ALI KEIRN
Zeke……………………….………ORY OWEN
Fulton………...…….FREDDY LYNN WILSON
Jack Scott……………...DALTON JACOB HICKS
Peaches………………………KARINA MORAN
Blossom…………….…………KATIE MEBANE
Violet………………….KAITLIN MARIA FELTS
Rosette Shimshank…….…..HEATHER AUSTIN
Theresa Templeton……………...SIDNEY GINN
Billy Flatley……………..HENRY RAYBOULD
Janey Fire………………..ALEXA RAYBOULD
Ensemble
ADDI BERRY, ZACH BROWN, BRIAN GAY, PRISCILLA HOKE, KATELYN LONG, MEGAN MCCARTHY, LAURA MCKINNEY, INDIA ROSEMAN, ISABELLA STOLLENMAIER, MORGAN STORY
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