LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Disney’s “High School Musical Jr.” is 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 21-22 at the Paris Center of Fine Arts. Tickets are available at the door on the nights of the performances.
Directed by Jessica Hendrickson and Dandi Mansfield, the production is based on the highly popular movie musical of the same name. The cast of 35 sixth, seventh and eighth graders dance their way through the typical problems teenagers face — love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extracurricular activities.
The songs are upbeat, and the dancing obviously enjoyed by the cast.
It’s the first day after winter break at East High. The Jocks, Brainiacs, Thespians and Skater Dudes all find their cliques. Basketball team captain and resident jock, Troy Borton, played by Harrison Hays, discovers the brainy Gabriella Montez, played by London Pruiett, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. The couple cause an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical.
Although many students resent the threat posed to the status quo, Troy and Gabriella’s alliance might just open the door for others to shine as well.
This family show is a little more than an hour long but will keep everyone entertained with toe-tapping music and fun dancing.
Sophia Young comes into her own in their production as the president of the drama club, Sharpay Evans while Eli Mason plays her brother, Ryan. Chris Gann is jock Chad Danforth while Max Hays portrays fellow jock Zeke Baylor.
Other cast members include Shae Payne, Kelsi Nielsen; Aliya Doran, Taylor McKessie, Mariah Hale, Martha Cox; Miranda Hogan, Ms. Darbus; Masyn Perry, Coach Bolton; Kameron Morrison, Jack Scott; Mylee Strow, Ms. Kenny/Kratnoff; Olivia Gale, moderator; Selena Delacruz, James; Alexis Landsaw, Susan; Emily Melton, Cathy and Gracie Wilson, Cyndra.
Ensemble members are Hellie Barrett, Amelia Bennett, Annalee Blair, Gareth Blair, Marley Breneman, Carleigh Castaneda, Grayson Craffets, Izzabella Givens, Khloe Griffin, Sara Littlejohn, Trinity McKenzie, Anna Muchow, Amelia Oakes, Skylar Paquette, Evey Ray, Sarah Walls, Alexis Walton, Gracie Whitezel and Ella York.