Pittsburgh Tribune-Review: "At East High, school's out for summer.
At 22 middle and high schools, cyber and home schools in Westmoreland County, more than 100 students are sharing the anticipation of their counterparts in Disney's 'High School Musical 2.'"
5 comments:
I can't believe they have created High School Musical 2 into a stage musical. I guess it should be expected since HSM 1 was such a hit as both a movie and a stage show. I think it is a bit ridiculous that they are quadurple casting it, but I guess it is important with children actors to have many understudies.
Just as I have been saying recently that I feel Broadway has been producing too many shows simply because they know that they are going to be successful, this seems to be the case now with all these different versions of High School Musical in the younger theatre community. The instant popularity of this show makes it an easy choice, and not so much its stage-worthiness.
Whenever I hear about a production of High School Musical (or any of its excessive sequels), I'm immediately annoyed because I feel that this show is put on simply to make money. However, after reading this article I've softened a little. The kids involved seem really excited to put on this production, and when kids are as young as the ones cast in this show it's usually about having fun and learning to work as an ensemble. Plus, it gets more kids interested in theater in general, and that can't be bad.
While I'm glad that Disney's High School Musical has attracted many young people to the art of theater, I'm still sort of revolted by it. Its terrible that one of the only ways we as an industry can rival the youth of today to take an interest in such an integral part of our culture.
Oh well, Disney strikes again. I'm sure their making boat loads of money on the rights for this -- perhaps they sold them off to MTI. Either way, I'd like to see a resurgence of real shows being performed in high school, not Disney's imitation of theater.
Triple casting is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Theatre is to create something not feature lots of people. Also the fact that this is a sequel makes me wonder if it will narrow or limit the audiences. Companies may be compelled to put on the complete trilogy in one season. Anyway the approach to this show as a fun after school activity for all the actors is the wrong way to go about this. This just encourages bad theatre to happen even if the writing is fantastic which it isn't.
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