Pine-Richland High School Musical Students Are All in This Together
as They Present 'High School Musical'
It’s been quite a year as we all navigated a pandemic and still found ways to do some of the things we love. Pine-Richland High School musical students and their directing team are no exception. They have worked diligently for months to follow safety protocols and still make this year’s musical a reality.
The energetic group of performers is bringing the Disney stage adaptation of High School Musical to a screen near everyone. The virtual performance was filmed over several weeks and edited for a viewing experience like the PR community has never seen before.
“Watching these kids for months working so hard to stay safe and still perform at their absolute best has been heartwarming,” said Producer Kathy Morrissey. “We were all in unchartered waters, and every day was a new challenge for the students and staff. And they all came together to create such an amazing performance of a family-friendly show that so many people love.”
High School Musical is the story of two high school juniors – Troy Bolton, played by junior Logan Krushinski, and Gabriella Montez, played by junior Maggie Allwein. Troy’s the East High Wildcats basketball team captain, and Gabriella’s a shy new student on the Scholastic Decathlon team. Together, this unlikely theater duo try out for the lead parts in their high school musical, which causes division among some of their friends and other cast members.
The battle is especially intense with high school diva Sharpay Evans, played by junior Trisha Holmes, and her twin brother Ryan, played by senior Jake Romeo. Sharpay and Ryan seek to sabotage the friendship and romance between Troy and Gabriella and gain the leads in the musical.
“This is an upbeat and spirited show about friendship, first love, and breaking out of stereotypical high school social groups,” said Director Sarah McGraw. “It’s full of energy and humor, and it also serves as an inspiration to other kids to not worry about sticking to the status quo.”
Keeping students safe while producing a full musical left the directing team brainstorming for ways to make it work. Senior and aspiring filmmaker Hailey Rihn was the answer.
Using several cameras, lenses, and tripods and a computer, Rihn filmed and edited the entire show. She and the all-student stage crew also transformed different parts of PR High School into their East High set. They take the audience from the classroom and gym to the auditorium and rooftop, as students combine their voices and dance moves for a sure sing-along experience.
The performance includes hits from the 2006 original movie, including, “We’re all in this Together,” “Start of Something New,” “Get’cha Head in the Game,” “Bop to the Top,” and “Breaking Free.”
The High School Musical cast has 64 Pine-Richland High School students, including seniors Caroline Dawson as Martha, Evan Jackson as Zeke, Daniel Martinez as Coach Bolton, Olivia Scullion as Taylor, Abbie Turner as Ms. Darbus, and Victor Williams as Chad. Junior Katarina Hudock plays Kelsi, and senior Jayden Jones and junior Delaney Rich are dance captains.
“This has been a rewarding experience, and we are thrilled we could make this happen for the kids who have had such a challenging year,” Morrissey said. “We hope everyone has the chance to buy a ticket and enjoy the show right in their homes.”
To purchase tickets to stream High School Musical on your computer, TV, tablet, or phone, check back soon!
