Directed by
Nina Stevenson
Musical Direction by Emma White
Choreographed by Kathryn
Jones
Costume design by Kerry Johnstone
Set Design by Nina Stevenson and
Inge Kent
Presented by
Pied Piper Productions
Canberra College
Performing Arts Centre until 1st October 2016
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
Departing
from its usual programming of presenting imaginative productions children
mainly in the 6 to 16 year-old age group, Pied Piper Productions are currently
presenting “Disney High School Musical Jnr” in the Canberra College Performing
Arts Centre. Surely the perfect venue for a musical about putting on a high
school musical.
 |
| Disney HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL Jnr. Company Photo:Jenny Anderson |
Presented
without interval, and lasting just on an hour, “Disney High School Musical Jnr”
is a scaled down version of the original stage
musical, but retains all the best songs and the essential storyline concerning two
high school students from rival cliques.
Troy Bolton
(Pip Carroll), captain of the basketball team and Gabriella Montez (Breanna Macey),
a shy transfer student who excels in mathematics and science, decide to try out
for the lead roles in their high school musical, and as a result, divide the
school.
Their only
rivals for the roles are Sharpay Evans (Sophie Hopkins) and her brother (Lachy
Agett) who attempt to sabotage Troy and Gabriella’s audition. No prizes for
guessing the outcome.
For this
breezy production, the experienced hand of director, Nina Stevenson is evident
in the uncluttered set design which allows the show to flow seamlessly. Colourful
costumes and a succession of cleverly choreographed production numbers devised
by Kathryn Jones, highlight the skill, enthusiasm and commitment of the large
cast.
 |
| Pip Carroll (Troy Bolton) - Breanna Macey (Gabriella Montez) Valeria Arciniega - seated (Kelsi Nielson) Photo: Jenny Anderson |
Pip Carroll
and Breanna Macey give appealing performances in the lead roles as Troy and
Gabriella. Both sing well, and bring unexpected warmth and charm to their
characterisations.
Sophie Hopkins and
Lachy Agett almost steal the show with hilarious performances as the conniving sibling
rivals, Sharpay and Ryan Evans, who sing and dance up a storm while wearing a
succession of look-at-me glitzy costumes.
 |
| Sophie Hopkins (Sharpay Evans) and Lachy Agett (Ryan Evans) Photo: Jenny Anderson |
In the
supporting roles, Lachlan McGinness, Jacob Silvestrini, Annabel Foulds and
Valeria Arciniega, each make strong impression portraying various friends and
supporters, while in the two adult roles Janie Lawson has great fun practically
chewing up the scenery as Ms Darbus, the ditzy director of the school’s
unlikely musical “Juliet and Romeo”, and Brock Nicholson finds just the right
combination of discipline and warmth as Coach Bolton the father of the hero,
Troy Bolton.
Pied Piper
Productions have come up with a winner with this bright and entertaining holiday
show guaranteed to delight every member of the family but particularly the
teenagers.
This review first published in the digital edition of CITY NEWS on 25.09.16
