The Finger Lakes region will see high school continue well into the summer months this year. That is, if patrons come to the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse's 2009 production of “High School Musical.”
Jill Connor / The Citizen
Merry-Go-Round Playhouse actors, from left, Gabriel Mudd, playing Mongo, and Blakely Slaybaugh, playing Ripper, sing “Stick to the Status Quo” in a rehearsal of “High School Musical” Tuesday at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Merry-Go-Round Playhouse actors, from left, Gabriel Mudd, playing Mongo, and Blakely Slaybaugh, playing Ripper, sing “Stick to the Status Quo” in a rehearsal of “High School Musical” Tuesday at Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Following hot on the heels of its production of “The Full Monty,” the theater continues the season with the stage version of the hit Disney film.
“High School Musical” is set at the fictional East High School in Albuquerque, N.M. The plot of the show involves students moving away from their established places in the high school social structure and finding the place where they belong through the school's annual musical. It utilizes the common 'play-within-a-play' premise to illustrate themes of romance and self-discovery.
“When I was younger, the show everyone saw was Grease. When you really think about it, ‘Grease' is about dressing slutty and getting a boyfriend because of it. The message of this show is so much more empowering, not just for young people, but for anyone,” said Kate Swan, director of the Merry-Go-Round's production of “High School Musical.”
This message is brought to life by a large cast of young, talented actors.
“I don't think there's anyone over 30 in the cast,” Swan said.
The performers' ages has nothing to do with their ability, however.
“With such a big cast, it's important to have actors be real; to have that real experience that they can bring with them. They can't just sing and dance, they have to sell the fact that they are in high school, or it will all come off shallow and flippant,” Swan added.
The talent that the cast brings to the show will be spectacular, Swan said: “This is one of the most all-around talented casts I have ever worked with.”
What makes the talent even more intriguing is that, while most of the actors were hired at auditions in New York City, a number were found somewhere not widely known for spawning Broadway-caliber talent.
“We got more of the cast members from auditions in Auburn than usual,” Swan said.
While they are not Auburn natives, the five principle cast members are from areas near by, such as Rochester or, in the case of Arin Lee Dandes, Buffalo.
“I just got out of school, so this is really my first real job. It's only the second professional production I've been part of,” Dandes said.
Dandes' role is that of Kelsi Neilson, a secondary lead played by Olesya Rulin in the films. Being selected to play a part in a show alongside Broadway and off-Broadway actors and actresses has been a “wonderful experience” for Dandes.
Getting such a role so quickly out of school proves, in Dandes' eyes, that dreams of acting on stage are “not impossible at all.” She gave advice to other burgeoning actors and actresses, even if they grow up in more remote areas: “Not everyone is from New York (City) or L.A. Go to all the auditions you can. People are there to help, no matter what you hear. It's easier than you think to find people to help you on your way.”
With only a total of 12 days for rehearsal and set construction before the curtain goes up on June 24, the cast and crew are working hard to pull off the perfect show. Despite the hectic nature of the schedule, there's still time to enjoy the process.
“There's so much freedom in this show to have fun,” said Meegan Midkiff, who plays Sharpay Evans.
Midkiff and Marshal Carolan, who plays Ryan Evans, are enjoying their roles as the villains.
“Our characters are the traditional theater geeks, the divas who fully expect to be the leads in the school musical,” Midkiff explained, “but hopefully we're the lovable villains.”
Carolan added, “It's so much fun, because we can poke fun at what life was like then. There's all the teenage angst, like finding love and trying to fit in.”
Despite the show's origins as a made-for-TV movie by the Disney Channel, the cast and crew insist that there is real substance.
“The music is surprisingly complicated,” Midkiff said.
Carolan also addressed the merits of the production: “This show can help teach your kids that they can be themselves. And anyone can identify with at least one character in the show.”
Hilary Ford, the Merry-Go-Round's marketing associate, feels the message extends beyond younger audiences.
“Parents can bring their kids, but this show actually has something for everyone,” she said.
Carolan added, “Everyone's been to high school, it hasn't really changed.” Director Kate Swan pointed out that “The message is better than a lot of shows out there,” and also commented on the music: “I was surprised at how infectious the score is. I fell madly in love with it.”
Above all else, the people at Merry-Go-Round are preparing to make “High School Musical” a treat for people of all ages, whether they watched the movies avidly or haven't seen a Disney movie in decades.
“It's a good, entertaining show,” said Carolan. “You can come and forget about your problems for a couple hours.”
Dandes added, “Everyone who comes to this show is in for a treat. They're going to walk out feeling wonderful.”
If you go
What: “High School Musical”
When: June 24 through July 18; show times vary
Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Emerson Park, Route 38A, Owasco
Cost: Tickets $33 to $39
Info: Call 255-1785
“High School Musical” is set at the fictional East High School in Albuquerque, N.M. The plot of the show involves students moving away from their established places in the high school social structure and finding the place where they belong through the school's annual musical. It utilizes the common 'play-within-a-play' premise to illustrate themes of romance and self-discovery.
“When I was younger, the show everyone saw was Grease. When you really think about it, ‘Grease' is about dressing slutty and getting a boyfriend because of it. The message of this show is so much more empowering, not just for young people, but for anyone,” said Kate Swan, director of the Merry-Go-Round's production of “High School Musical.”
This message is brought to life by a large cast of young, talented actors.
“I don't think there's anyone over 30 in the cast,” Swan said.
The performers' ages has nothing to do with their ability, however.
“With such a big cast, it's important to have actors be real; to have that real experience that they can bring with them. They can't just sing and dance, they have to sell the fact that they are in high school, or it will all come off shallow and flippant,” Swan added.
The talent that the cast brings to the show will be spectacular, Swan said: “This is one of the most all-around talented casts I have ever worked with.”
What makes the talent even more intriguing is that, while most of the actors were hired at auditions in New York City, a number were found somewhere not widely known for spawning Broadway-caliber talent.
“We got more of the cast members from auditions in Auburn than usual,” Swan said.
While they are not Auburn natives, the five principle cast members are from areas near by, such as Rochester or, in the case of Arin Lee Dandes, Buffalo.
“I just got out of school, so this is really my first real job. It's only the second professional production I've been part of,” Dandes said.
Dandes' role is that of Kelsi Neilson, a secondary lead played by Olesya Rulin in the films. Being selected to play a part in a show alongside Broadway and off-Broadway actors and actresses has been a “wonderful experience” for Dandes.
Getting such a role so quickly out of school proves, in Dandes' eyes, that dreams of acting on stage are “not impossible at all.” She gave advice to other burgeoning actors and actresses, even if they grow up in more remote areas: “Not everyone is from New York (City) or L.A. Go to all the auditions you can. People are there to help, no matter what you hear. It's easier than you think to find people to help you on your way.”
With only a total of 12 days for rehearsal and set construction before the curtain goes up on June 24, the cast and crew are working hard to pull off the perfect show. Despite the hectic nature of the schedule, there's still time to enjoy the process.
“There's so much freedom in this show to have fun,” said Meegan Midkiff, who plays Sharpay Evans.
Midkiff and Marshal Carolan, who plays Ryan Evans, are enjoying their roles as the villains.
“Our characters are the traditional theater geeks, the divas who fully expect to be the leads in the school musical,” Midkiff explained, “but hopefully we're the lovable villains.”
Carolan added, “It's so much fun, because we can poke fun at what life was like then. There's all the teenage angst, like finding love and trying to fit in.”
Despite the show's origins as a made-for-TV movie by the Disney Channel, the cast and crew insist that there is real substance.
“The music is surprisingly complicated,” Midkiff said.
Carolan also addressed the merits of the production: “This show can help teach your kids that they can be themselves. And anyone can identify with at least one character in the show.”
Hilary Ford, the Merry-Go-Round's marketing associate, feels the message extends beyond younger audiences.
“Parents can bring their kids, but this show actually has something for everyone,” she said.
Carolan added, “Everyone's been to high school, it hasn't really changed.” Director Kate Swan pointed out that “The message is better than a lot of shows out there,” and also commented on the music: “I was surprised at how infectious the score is. I fell madly in love with it.”
Above all else, the people at Merry-Go-Round are preparing to make “High School Musical” a treat for people of all ages, whether they watched the movies avidly or haven't seen a Disney movie in decades.
“It's a good, entertaining show,” said Carolan. “You can come and forget about your problems for a couple hours.”
Dandes added, “Everyone who comes to this show is in for a treat. They're going to walk out feeling wonderful.”
If you go
What: “High School Musical”
When: June 24 through July 18; show times vary
Where: Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Emerson Park, Route 38A, Owasco
Cost: Tickets $33 to $39
Info: Call 255-1785
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