Disney’s High School Musical was a cultural sensation when it premiered on the Disney Channel in 2006 to 7.7 million viewers, a record-breaking number at the time. Disney would go on to release High School Musical 2 in 2007 and High School Musical 3 in 2008.
The Chaska High School theater program presents their stage version of the show this weekend and next.
In the show, basketball team captain Troy Bolton (Braylon Vollbrecht) and super smart Gabriella Montez (Lucia Bakewicz) first meet on vacation while singing karaoke and then they wind up attending the same school. Will they or won’t they try out for the school musical?
Ingrid Esterley, a Chaska senior, is having a lot of fun playing the role of Sharpay Evans. “She’s a big diva. I get to be my diva self, but much bigger.” Esterley has played a number of adult roles in past shows. So what’s it like playing a high school character? “It’s being yourself, but 10 times more.”
Ben Lenius is keeping busy as lead stage manager for the first time. Lenius enjoys organizing the tech staff and making a lot of friends. During showtime he sits in the booth, watches the script for light and sound cues and then gives those cues over the radio to the rest of the crew.
High School Musical presents a technical challenge because there are “way more light cues” than other shows.
“It’s challenging and rewarding,” Lenius says. “It really looks good.”
Disney’s High School Musical is opening this Friday night at the Chaska High School auditorium (545 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, MN 55318). Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online.
(https://gofan.co/event/3850002)
Showtimes for High School Musical:
- November 14, 7 p.m.
- November 15, 7 p.m.
- November 16, 2 p.m.
- November 20, 7 p.m.
- November 21, 7 p.m.
- November 22, 7 p.m.
