We're All in this Together (JCC CenterStage)

Feb 23

2 min read

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Disney's High School Musical Book by David Simpatico Music and Lyrics by Matthew Gerrard, Robbie Nevil, Ray and Greg Cham, Drew Seeley, Randy Petersen, Kevin Quinn, Andy Dodd, Adam Watts, Bryan Louiselle, David N. Lawrence, Faye Greenberg and Jamie Houston

Directed by Erin Silliman

A review by Brian Kennedy

Straight from the movies to the stage, Centerstage at the Trager Family JCC presented a superb production of Disney’s High School Musical.

The show, which Erin Sillivan directed, is based on the Disney Channel movie of the same name and features new student Gabriella Montez (Channing Rivera) and basketball star Tony Bolton (Liam Curry) auditioning for a new musical at their school. This fact alone sends the school’s cliques into a frenzy and causes drama club president Sharpay Evans (Kennedy Julian) to see Gabriella as a threat to her leading woman throne.

Once inside Centerstage, it was obvious this would be a Disney-like performance thanks to classic Disney songs playing as pre-show music, including "Beauty and the Beast" and "When You Wish Upon a Star." When the curtains opened, the audience was immediately transported to East High thanks to the “EH” banners, the Wildcat cheerleaders, and the brick-like stairwell that could be the front of any school building.

The show’s strength partially lies in the singing of Tony and Gabriella. From the moment the two harmonized on a karaoke night in a ski lodge (Start of Something New), there’s magic. Curry and Rivera’s vocals were warm, smooth, and complementary of each other. It was a joy to listen to them the entire musical.

Meanwhile, Julien gave a delightfully devious performance as Sharpay, doing whatever she could to derail Gabriella’s path to the auditions. She was not above manipulating her brother Ryan (Noah Crase) or convincing Ms. Darbus (The Alexis) to change the audition time, and it was all entertaining to see.

Speaking of Ms. Darbus, Alexis gave a wonderful, over-the-top performance as the theater director. Her dislike of cell phones and her sarcastic interactions with Coach Bolton (Seth Brewer) were of particular hilarious interest.

The ensemble as a whole was pretty good, making their way through the sometimes difficult movement and dance numbers adequately, especially "Get ‘cha Head in the Game." If anything, the cast could be a little more confident, and as a result, looser, during these numbers. That’ll probably happen as the show gets further into its run.

Disney’s High School Musical is ultimately a good production, one that should entertain its target audience of preteens and high schoolers.

Disney's High School Musical CenterStage at the Trager Family JCC February 23 & 27, 2025 March 1, 2, 6, 8 & 9, 2025 3600 Dutchmans Ln Louisville, KY 40205