Events
Disney hit | Cresson Lake Playhouse to stage 'High School Musical 2
By TOM LAVIS
TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM
If a person could bottle the energy in a production of “High School Musical 2,” fuel shortages would be a thing of the past.
Cresson Lake Playhouse audiences will get a high-octane boost as the popular show will be presented from June 25 through July 11 at the theater, 279 Shapiro Road, Loretto.
The musical is based on the made-for-television Disney hit of the same name.
Gregg Brandt of Altoona, a Broadway performer who appeared in “Tale of Two Cities” and had a six-year run in “Les Miserable,” is directing the show.
Because of the youthful nature of the musical, Brandt said his biggest challenge was getting the cast together to rehearse.
“Of the 28 cast members, literally 27 of them are high school- and college-age students who had real-life academic schedules that we had to work around,” Brandt said.
But he is fortunate to have a young, yet veteran cast.
Brandt made his Cresson Lake directing debut last season with the original “High School Musical,” and he is pleased to have at least 90 percent of that cast returning for this performance.
“Despite its title, the high school is only in the first scene and switches to a country-club setting,” Brandt said.
Brandt said many people have seen the television version and are familiar with the characters.
The story line begins as school is out and Troy, Gabriella and the rest of the Wildcats are spending the summer working at the Lava Springs Country Club, which was founded by Ryan and Sharpay’s family.
As Sharpay introduces East High’s primo boy to the most important people in the city, Troy learns being friends with the Evans family offers big rewards, such as a college scholarship and chilling with college basketball hotshots. The question of whether he will give up the Wildcats and Gabriella will be answered.
With the club’s annual talent show right around the corner, things begin to heat up as Troy agrees to sing with Sharpay.
Will Troy and Gabriella realize that they’re meant to be?
Or is it already too late for them to sing one last song together?
The show is filled with new songs and dancing.
It’s a time the Wildcats will remember forever.
Returning for encored performances are Eddie Brandt (Troy Bolton) of Altoona; Meghan McCabe (Gabriella Montez) of Loretto; Jessica Fox (Sharpay Evans) of Hollidaysburg; Jason Mackel (Ryan Evans) of Johnstown; Josh Devett (Chad Danforth) of Johnstown; and Claire Houser (Taylor McKessie) of Ebensburg.
Other leads are portrayed by Chris Vella (Zeke Baylor) of Ebensburg; Kelsey Ingold (Kelsi Neilson) of Cresson, the father and son team of Andrew Kilpatrick (Jack Scott) and his dad, Stephen Kilpatrick (Fulton), both of Johnstown; Emily Morris (Blossom) of Altoona; and making her debut at Cresson Lake is Tiffany Springer (Martha) of Carrolltown.
“The fast-paced show is good family fun,” Brandt said.
“The dances by our choreographer, Kelly Wheeler of Charlene’s School of Dance in Cresson, are fresh in a hip-hop style that will keep the audience rocking.”
Curtain times are 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets are $17 for adults and $10 for children younger than 12.
Tickets may be obtained by calling 472-4333 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or at the door.
Popular show
What: “High School Musical 2.”
When: June 25 through July 11.
Where: Cresson Lake Playhouse, 279 Shapiro Road, Loretto.
Tickets: 472-4333 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or at the door.
Cost: $17 for adults and $10 for children younger than 12.
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