Grade: B+
The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse follows up its slightly risque production of “The Full Monty” with the wholesome, child-friendly “High School Musical,” but with the flesh goes some of the fun - for audience members above the age of 15, anyway.
Comprising the romantic center of “High School Musical” is East High basketball star Troy Bolton (Michael Parker Ayers) with pretty math geek Gabriella Montez (Alyssa Herrera), who meet over a karaoke machine during winter break. The sparks fly, in theory, but the chemistry between Ayers and Herrera somehow seems superficial - even for a musical. The show's glossy writing gives the audience little reason to want to see Bolton and Montez get together, aside from the fact that they're two attractive high school students whose hook-up would crumble clique walls.
After Montez transfers to East High at the start of the spring semester, she and Bolton rekindle their romance by auditioning for the loverly leads in the school play. But a few high school hazards threaten their courtship: drama vamp Sharpay Evans' (a superb Meegan MidKiff) insistence on headlining the play, Bolton's commitment to his fellow basketball players and his coach - who's also his father - and Montez's importance to East High's math club.
The show's music remains surprisingly eclectic, from the hip-hop-influenced “Get'cha Head in the Game” to the vaguely jazzy “I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You,” and the skilled cast sings each selection with youthful enthusiasm. But the head of this Playhouse class was the set design department, whose chemistry labs, high school gym and botany club garden are staged in stunning detail.
Having missed the Disney Channel movie that inspired the musical, I readily admit to falling outside of “High School Musical's” target audience. Even then, the show was by no means unpleasant. But this Playhouse production is best enjoyed by those who've yet to actually reach high school.
David Wilcox
253-5311 ext. 245
david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go.
What: “High School
Musical”
When: Through July 18; show times vary
Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Emerson Park, Route 38A, Owasco
Cost: Tickets $33 to $39
Info: Call 255-1785
Comprising the romantic center of “High School Musical” is East High basketball star Troy Bolton (Michael Parker Ayers) with pretty math geek Gabriella Montez (Alyssa Herrera), who meet over a karaoke machine during winter break. The sparks fly, in theory, but the chemistry between Ayers and Herrera somehow seems superficial - even for a musical. The show's glossy writing gives the audience little reason to want to see Bolton and Montez get together, aside from the fact that they're two attractive high school students whose hook-up would crumble clique walls.
After Montez transfers to East High at the start of the spring semester, she and Bolton rekindle their romance by auditioning for the loverly leads in the school play. But a few high school hazards threaten their courtship: drama vamp Sharpay Evans' (a superb Meegan MidKiff) insistence on headlining the play, Bolton's commitment to his fellow basketball players and his coach - who's also his father - and Montez's importance to East High's math club.
The show's music remains surprisingly eclectic, from the hip-hop-influenced “Get'cha Head in the Game” to the vaguely jazzy “I Can't Take My Eyes Off of You,” and the skilled cast sings each selection with youthful enthusiasm. But the head of this Playhouse class was the set design department, whose chemistry labs, high school gym and botany club garden are staged in stunning detail.
Having missed the Disney Channel movie that inspired the musical, I readily admit to falling outside of “High School Musical's” target audience. Even then, the show was by no means unpleasant. But this Playhouse production is best enjoyed by those who've yet to actually reach high school.
David Wilcox
253-5311 ext. 245
david.wilcox@lee.net
If you go.
What: “High School
Musical”
When: Through July 18; show times vary
Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Emerson Park, Route 38A, Owasco
Cost: Tickets $33 to $39
Info: Call 255-1785
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