It’s just so high school
Summer Youth Theatre Institute rocks!
by Christopher Key
It’s somehow fitting that I’m finishing off this current reviewing marathon with a mindless musical where a lot of talented kids get to have some fun and I don’t have to worry about analyzing a complex plot. High School Musical isn’t exactly the pinnacle of American theatre, but it does demonstrate that a dynamic director like Deb Currier and a bunch of actors fueled by Red Bull can make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
The show first crawled out of the swamp as a Disney Channel Original Movie and that should explain a lot. I’d give credit to the writers and composers, but they’d probably just as soon forget their involvement. The fact that the show-within-a-show involves one of Shakespeare’s weaker efforts, Romeo and Juliet, is also somehow fitting. There! I’ve vented my spleen a bit and can get on with the review.
Speaking of snark, the delightful Becca Orlowski gets it on in fine style as Sharpay Evans, the despotic ruler of the Drama Clique. Imagine Sarah Palin in high school and you’ll instantly grasp this character. Sharpay’s reluctant partner in thespic crime is her twin, Ryan. Andy Reinhardt is stunning in this role and has a stage presence reminiscent of the young Joel Grey. I don’t hand out comparisons like that lightly.
Colin Weiss, Rachael Chapman, Becca Orlowski and Andy Reinhardt are among the many stars that make High School Musical rock.
Matt Frye shines as Troy Bolton, the leader of the jock contingent. The hoop star discovers that he may have brains as well as balls and Frye conveys the torture of high school peer pressure convincingly. His love interest is Gabriella Montez, a new kid in school who discovers she may have balls as well as brains. Rachel Chapman plays the character with winsome charm. Both of the star-crossed lovers have good voices, but their duets are a convincing argument for the concept of synergy.
Drama queen…uhh…teacher Mr. Darbus is given a wildly campy interpretation by Mario Orallo-Molinaro and pretty much owns the stage when he is on. His faculty nemesis is Coach Bolton. Jason Huff portrays every nerd’s worst nightmare with a military precision that is frightening for those of us once cowed by this martinet.
The leader of the Brainiacs, Taylor McKessie, is portrayed by Ashley Hanson with typical passion and style. Her second in command, Jack Scott, is also the school’s ultra-cool PA announcer and Truxtun McCoy is perfect in the role. Dale Sharp leads a cheerleading squad that has enough renewable energy to put BP out of business and wouldn’t that be a good thing?
There are a couple of younger actors in this show who have already made an impression on local audiences. It’s gratifying to see the continuing development of Aaron Helms and Daniel Spero.
Director Currier and Becca Orlowski collaborated on the sensational choreography and Costume Designer Allison Dawe deserves a standing O. Musical Director Andy Davison has done an amazing job making these kids sound better than any Disney show deserves.
High School Musical would be nothing without a rockin’ band. This one has the chops to play anywhere and consists of Marcel Ardras, Alex Eby, Scott Davis and Stephanie Straight. Yes, THAT Stephanie Straight. The virtuosic Whatcom Symphony Orchestra percussionist demonstrates that there is much more than classical music in her repertoire.
Performances take place in the black box theatre of Western Washington University’s Performing Arts Building. July 22 – 24, 29 – 31 and August 5 – 7, the curtain goes up at 7:30 p.m. There are matinees on July 25, August 1 and 8 at 2:00 p.m. Call the box office at (360) 650-6146 for tickets.
Oh, c’mon. It’s summer. Time for trashy beach novels and Bellingham’s answer to Beach Blanket Babylon. Check your pretensions at the door.
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