Laura La Chapelle is directing a Town of Wasaga Beach Performing Arts Youth Theatre production of High School Musical based on the 2006 Disney movie.
Attracting participants from the region – Barrie, Clearview, Collingwood, and Meaford – the 22-member cast has been running lines, rehearsing songs and learning choreography over the past four months. With the exception of two adult roles, the cast ranges in age from 12-16.
LaChapelle said High School Musical seemed like a great fit for the teenage cast, many of whom have come up through the theatre program.
The story is set at East High where two teenagers struggle to break from stereotypes to pursue their shared love of music. Troy (played by Zac Efron in the movie), is the star basketball player, under pressure by his father who is also the team’s coach. Being a math whiz, Gabriella is pursued to join the academic decathlon. After a chance meeting while on a ski trip, teenagers Troy and Gabriella feel a spark during a spontaneous karaoke session and meet up again unexpectedly when Gabriella transfers to Troy’s school, where they eventually audition for the high school musical, to the chagrin of the school’s prima donna and her brother who are used to sharing the spotlight.
LaChapelle said it’s really a story about the trappings of cliques and what happens when you want to break free and be yourself.
“It really is an uplifting show,” she said, “and the music is so much fun. It makes you want to clap, wiggle in your seat. It makes you want to dance.”
She said it’s a great production to bring children to, to introduce them to musical theatre.
For the most part it is true to the movie, complete with basketball dance number.
LaChapelle, who started out as a young actor in Creemore, loves working with youth in order to provide them the opportunity to be creative and points out that it offers affordable entertainment for the community. (Each actor will have their own microphone so they will be heard from all points on stage.)
Performances take place at the RecPlex in Wasaga Beach. Opening night is Friday, May 24 and the run continues with a 2 p.m. matinee at 7 p.m. show on Saturday, May 25, and a Sunday matinee on May 26. Tickets cost $25 and are available at town-of- wasaga-beach.ticketleap.com.