Theatre Review
Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007
Perpetual high school motion"Disney's High School Musical" just keeps on going. BY BOB CURTRIGHTThe Wichita Eagle
If we can find a way to tap into the energy displayed opening night Wednesday of "Disney's High School Musical," Wichita could keep thoroughly powered up for the 21st century.
The show has a happy enthusiasm, a good heart, a hip sense of humor and perfectly serviceable tunes that keep you bubbling right along from the charming opening to an exhaustive finale that just refuses to end. The show features an age-appropriate cast of 77 Kansas teens from 23 high schools.
Guest director-choreographer Roger Castellano from California, back for his sixth summer, fills the show -- and the stage -- with so many people and so much movement that you barely have a chance to catch your breath. He and assistant Lauren Masiello have created dance steps that showcase the entire cast, not just a select few. It's a little simpler than usual, but it's joyous.
To be sure, there are some cleverly complex moments, such as when the boys basketball team pump themselves up with "Get'cha Head in the Game" while incorporating bouncing balls in slick Harlem Globetrotter-like steps. The huge cafeteria scene where all the different school cliques stress "Stick to the Status Quo" was also a colorful display of movement up, over and around tables in shifting patterns.
And the finale, which features a megamix recap of all the show's songs, seemed headed for perpetual motion as it continued to build minute after minute, with cast members running through the audience. They say the show isn't supposed to be over until the fat lady sings, but here it wasn't until the drum corps hit the stage. Your eardrums will never be the same.
To read the whole article, please go to http://www.musictheatreofwichita.org/Reviews_2007.cfm?content=hsm1
Posted on Friday, June 15, 2007
Perpetual high school motion"Disney's High School Musical" just keeps on going. BY BOB CURTRIGHTThe Wichita Eagle
If we can find a way to tap into the energy displayed opening night Wednesday of "Disney's High School Musical," Wichita could keep thoroughly powered up for the 21st century.
The show has a happy enthusiasm, a good heart, a hip sense of humor and perfectly serviceable tunes that keep you bubbling right along from the charming opening to an exhaustive finale that just refuses to end. The show features an age-appropriate cast of 77 Kansas teens from 23 high schools.
Guest director-choreographer Roger Castellano from California, back for his sixth summer, fills the show -- and the stage -- with so many people and so much movement that you barely have a chance to catch your breath. He and assistant Lauren Masiello have created dance steps that showcase the entire cast, not just a select few. It's a little simpler than usual, but it's joyous.
To be sure, there are some cleverly complex moments, such as when the boys basketball team pump themselves up with "Get'cha Head in the Game" while incorporating bouncing balls in slick Harlem Globetrotter-like steps. The huge cafeteria scene where all the different school cliques stress "Stick to the Status Quo" was also a colorful display of movement up, over and around tables in shifting patterns.
And the finale, which features a megamix recap of all the show's songs, seemed headed for perpetual motion as it continued to build minute after minute, with cast members running through the audience. They say the show isn't supposed to be over until the fat lady sings, but here it wasn't until the drum corps hit the stage. Your eardrums will never be the same.
To read the whole article, please go to http://www.musictheatreofwichita.org/Reviews_2007.cfm?content=hsm1
