bare_nakedlady goes to High School... Musical, that is.
bare_nakedlady goes to High School... Musical, that is.
bare_nakedlady
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/05
#1bare_nakedlady goes to High School... Musical, that is.
Posted: 7/4/07 at 3:41pm
Last night I took my 10 year old niece to see the show that she'd been begging me to take her to for months. The same show that I'd been dreading to see. But, since the National tour of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL started in Detroit and we're not too far away I decided to go.
I was not surprised to see the theatre packed the night before a holiday, I was also not surprised that the average age of the audience had dropped from 75 for normal subscription shows to about 12 for this one. What I was surprised about was the quality of the show itself. For the most part the show was your average Disney Theatrical show. Capturing the essence of the Movie that preceeded it and taking the appropriate liberties when necessary. However, underneath it all was a wonderful moral theme to the younger members of the audience that I think they can really take home and put in practice.
I had seen the movie ad nauseum, but this was a completely different experience. Sure most of the songs are the same, but the young cast is different. The sets are simple but effective and visually stunning since the school colors are Red and White. Several simple set pieces made of Lockers are dragged, spun, and adjusted every which way to create multiple locations. The spinning panels in the background that go from Lockers to Wildcats Logos are equally employed for multiple set usage. Just when you think you know the show, there are surprises around the corner.
Ellen Harvey plays Ms. Darbus your stereotypical Drama teacher. I loved her when I saw her as Tonya in Mamma Mia, and she truly gives the tour-de-force performance that a grande dame should give in this show. Her delivery was flawless and she made the show easy to watch.
Ron Bohmer was almost equally as good as Basketball Coach Bolton. I was enamoured with him in The Woman in White, however the script doesn't really give him a chance to do anything but one-sided one-liner coach "stuff".
The young cast led by Arielle Jacobs and John Jeffrey Martin, as Gabriella and Troy, was stunning. The sound at this particular venue was the worst sound I had ever heard there so I hope they clean it up at their next stop. But I'm sure the cast was well suited vocally. Arielle Jacobs is by far the best voice of the young cast. John Jeffrey Martin could take a lesson from her when he starts to growl and think he's Bon Jovi. Leave that to Adam Pascal in the RENT movie.
Shaullanda Lacombe and Shakiem Evans as Chad and Taylor deserve to be mentioned. They had most of the new material and handled it quite well. Ben Thompson as the "Jock who likes to cook" gets a lot of laughs as well and is a joy in this production.
The Earthworm is the best part of the show and will bring the house down. Congrats to the unnamed cast member who pulled off such a feat of physical comedy.
If you liked the movie, you'll have a great time at this show, If you hated the movie it is still worth a look. The first act was only about 45 minutes and the second act felt shorter. Even though my niece plays the CD and Movie constantly, I never once felt like looking at my watch during the show. It was quite an enjoyable evening at the theatre with a "Young New Audience" who were all having a great time. While I can't see this show on Broadway, I think it is well suited for Middle America and should do well there.
No souvenier programs just yet, as they took the pictures on Friday. Also, when I spoke to the cast they hadn't heard yet if they will make a Cast Recording or not, although they certainly hope too.
If you go... As with all things Disney they always have allusions to their other shows. Look for Flounder and Listen for Buzz Lightyear's famous line. Perhaps even you will come out singing as the two-year girl who was using a stall in the men's room did.
"It's like children's theatre for 40-year old gay people!" - XANADU THE MUSICAL
Updated On: 7/5/07 at 03:41 PM
#2re: bare_nakedlady goes to High School... Musical, that is.
Posted: 7/4/07 at 3:54pm
"The Earthworm is the best part of the show and will bring the house down. Congrats to the unnamed cast member who pulled off such a feat of physical comedy."
I played it in a local production. Such a challenging part.
"I saw Pavarotti play Rodolfo on stage and with his girth I thought he was about to eat the whole table at the Cafe Momus." - Dollypop
#2re: bare_nakedlady goes to High School... Musical, that is.
Posted: 7/4/07 at 3:56pm
Glad you enjoyed it! I saw it in Pittsburgh in early June (CLO production, but it is the same cast, set, costumes, etc. for the tour) and I liked it. True, when I looked at my cell at the start of Intermission, the first act had only been 58 minutes or so, but it was still good. Better than the film, and it actually has a cast in it that don't sound like dying mice.
And yes, the earthworm was the most hilarious part. Along with Ms. Darbus' "Bueller" line.
Also, when Darbus was talking about Juliet & Romeo, did she end up saying they (Juliet and Romeo) move to Detroit. Because when I saw it in Pittsburgh, she said that they move to Pittsburgh.
Updated On: 7/4/07 at 03:56 PM
bare_nakedlady
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/05
#2re: bare_nakedlady goes to High School... Musical, that is.
Posted: 7/4/07 at 4:04pm
"Also, when Darbus was talking about Juliet & Romeo, did she end up saying they (Juliet and Romeo) move to Detroit. Because when I saw it in Pittsburgh, she said that they move to Pittsburgh."
She sure did and the audience loved it, as I expect that they will in every town.
"It's like children's theatre for 40-year old gay people!" - XANADU THE MUSICAL
#3re: bare_nakedlady goes to High School... Musical, that is.
Posted: 7/4/07 at 4:07pm
Thanks for answering 
bare_nakedlady
Broadway Star Joined: 5/9/05
#4re: bare_nakedlady goes to High School... Musical, that is.
Posted: 7/5/07 at 9:46am
"It's like children's theatre for 40-year old gay people!" - XANADU THE MUSICAL
#5re: bare_nakedlady goes to High School... Musical, that is.
Posted: 7/5/07 at 9:57am
Thanks for the review!
I'll be packing up the nieces and nephews for the tour when it comes her in September.
You've put my mind at ease!
"To love another person is to see the face of God!"
