THEATER REVIEW

Look, I know a review of the stage version of "High School Musical" is totally unnecessary. Kids want to see it and they will, no matter how good, bad or indifferent a production is.

But here is some happy news.

The production of "High School Musical" that opened Thursday at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre is a knockout.

Great choreography, a terrific cast and smart direction all make the show a real delight. You don't have to be immersed in the Disney phenomenon to enjoy this production.

In case you live under a rock — or in a house without kids — here's the story:

Gabriella (Virginia Cavaliere) is the new kid at East High. A brainiac, she settles in quickly with the math and science crowd.

But earlier, during winter break, Gabriella met a cute boy named Troy Bolton (Nic Bryan) in a singing contest at the ski resort where they were both staying.

Turns out that Troy is the star of the basketball team, which is coached by his tough dad (Jeffrey Rice).

He wants to start things up with  Gabriella, whom he likes, but he's afraid to tell his jock friends that he sings.

Without even trying, Gabriella and Troy end up auditioning for the school play, which causes all kinds of problems.

Her friends and his friends don't like the idea at all. Everyone should know their place.

And when the theater stars, Sharpay (Ashley Stults) and her twin brother Ryan (Brad Broman), discover they have competition, things get a little nasty.

Sharpay will do whatever it takes to keep Gabriella from getting the lead in the show, including lying to the drama teacher, Ms. Darbus (Stacie Johnsen).

But Gabriella and Troy have liberated East High. Suddenly, classmates are singing about their secret interests, like playing the cello, baking and becoming a hip hop artist.

In the energetic production number "Stick to the Status Quo," which ends the first act, the whole school stages a revolution to free themselves from their limited roles in life.

Will Sharpay succeed in destroying Gabriella and Troy's theatrical career before it even begins? Will Gabriella and Troy's friends understand that they can do more than one thing?

Will Mrs. Darbus and Coach Bolton come to live the theme song of the show, "We're All in This Together?"

I wouldn't dare ruin the non-surprises.

Director Seth Reines stages the show with a lot of energy and cleverness. His cast gets laughs and shows plenty of heart.

Amy Marie McCleary's choreography is spot on and lifts the musical numbers way up. She's got a young cast of strong dancers and she takes clear advantage of it.

And the cast does a nice job with the sweet and gentle story. Standouts include Johnsen, who is very funny as Ms. Darbus; Brad Broman, who makes the most out of Ryan, probably the funniest character in the show, and Stults, whose Sharpay is just nasty enough to be a lot of fun.

I liked Erich DiCenzo as Jack Scott, who announced all the school events; Megan Kip as the mousy composer of the school musical; Anita Welch as  Gabriella's brainiac friend, Taylor;  David Heard as Zeke, who loves to bake, and Danielle Arci, who has a secret passion for hip hop.

And Bryan and Cavaliere make a sweet Troy and Gabriella, and both have terrific voices.

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"High School Musical" runs through May 30 at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre.


Staff writer Jane Holahan can be reached at jholahan@LNPnews.com or 481-6016.