Performing iconic numbers from “Bop to the Top” to “Start of Something New,” the cast of CenterStages’ “High School Musical the Musical” (HSMTM) took the stage this past weekend. Starring Liam Curry as Troy Bolton, Channing Rivera as Gabriella Montez, Kennedy Julian as Sharpay Evans, Noah Crase as Ryan Evans and many other fantastic youth actors, HSMTM sold out on March 2.
Aspiring actors Curry, 16, and Rivera, 15, had the opportunity to depict high schoolers falling in love not only with each other, but with theater as well. The cast is a community bonded together at the hip, always supporting and having fun with one another. Rehearsing created and strengthened new and old friendships.
This show has “open[ed] [her] up to a lot of new people,” Willow Fox-Young, who plays Martha Cox, said.
From potlucks to eight-hour tech days, CenterStage has and will continue to provide a community for all ages while also delivering stellar performances.
The collaborative aspect also contributes to the overall success of the show. Whether performers were dancing, singing or acting, the cast was constantly in harmony. The vocals of the actors and ensemble consistently surprised and amazed us. The dancing was always in sync, while also providing a humorous physical-comedy aspect to the show.
Many of the young actors are playing parts which are different from their personality. For example, contrasting to Curry’s musical theater background, this role required him to step into the sports environment.
“Anytime I get the ball in the basket, that’s always a highlight,” Curry said.
Julian, 16, explained how this role required her to play “a mean role” with “sass and spunk,” unlike other acting experiences that she’s had.
Overall, the performance of High School Musical the Musical was an amazing way to spend the chilly Sunday afternoon, providing laughter and joy to the many audience members. CenterStage offers many other shows this season surrounding the theme “belonging.” They have three more performances of “HSMTM” this coming weekend and another show, “9 to 5,” coming up in May.
“To whoever is reading this, come see High School Musical for our closing week, and buy those tickets baby,” Crase, 17, exclaimed.
