HOMEROOM… Sharpay Evans (played by Amanda Taylor) and Ryan Evans (played by Klayton Gearhart) speak to each other during Scene II: Ms. Darbus’s Homeroom. Later on in the scene, their phones begin to ring which lands them in detention. (PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER, STAFF)
By: Jacob Kessler
East High Wildcats entered into Montpelier this past weekend through the production of “High School Musical”.
Based on a 2006 Disney Channel Original Movie, the story is about a basketball team captain, Troy Bolton (played by Joel Saneholtz), and an academically gifted transfer student, Gabriella Montez (played by Tatum Grime).
The two try out for the lead roles in their schools musical which causes division among the schools cliques.
The two also receive opposition from characters Sharpay Evans (played by Amanda Taylor) who believes she is the only choice for the musical and is used to playing the lead roles, and her brother Ryan Evans (played by Klayton Gearhart).
Through adversity and challenges along the way, the pair in the end win out over the objections of others and compete to win the lead roles in their schools production.
MEET THE WRITER… During Scene VII in the Theater, Troy Bolton (played by Joel Saneholtz) and Gabriella Montez (played by Tatum Grime) are told by the Theater director that auditions have concluded. As the musical’s composer Kelsi Nielsen (played by Lainey Brigle) is leaving she drops her music sheets on the stage. It is then that the pair rush to help her pick up her sheets and are given the chance to sing the song together which ultimately gives them a callback audition.
The musical was originally scheduled to take place on Friday, March 3rd and Saturday, March 4th at 7:00 p.m. with a 3:00 p.m. showing on Sunday, March 5th.
However, due to inclement weather the Friday night performance was rescheduled for Sunday.
The musical itself brought the movie back to life and performances by the students were simply great. Whether they were trying to “Get’cha Head in the Game” or “Stick to the Status Quo”, they were in the end able to “Break Free”and “Bop to the Top” to show everyone that “We’re All In This Together”.
It is a good story that puts forth the idea that, no matter what others think, everyone has the power to break the mold and try something new.
It is an important fact that should not be forgotten, and the Montpelier High School students who performed those nights worked hard to make sure it wasn’t.
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com
