High School Musical Jr
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23 to 25 June 2017
Disney Channel's smash hit movie musical came to life in our production of Disney’s High School Musical JR. Troy, Gabriella and the students of East High dealt with issues of love, friends and family while balancing their classes and extra curricular activities. The show’s infectious, danceable songs certainly engaged performers and audiences alike. Our story started on 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, discovers that the brainy Gabriella, a girl he met singing karaoke on his ski trip, has just enrolled at East High. The couple causes 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. |
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Review of this show by Tessa Davies
Director & Choreographer – Emma Jane Sweeney
Musical Director – Ian Southgate
Performed at Ingatestone & Fryerning Centre on Friday 23 June 2017 at 7.30pm
I always enjoy watching youth groups perform and Young Expressions always deliver. The company has lost a lot its older performers but it’s nice to see the younger ones developing their skills and improving.
James Ravenscroft (Troy) and Rose Whitwam (Gabriella) were both good. They made a nice pairing and performed well. Ella Fowle (Sharpay) was good, with just the right amount of arrogance. Jorji Mersey played Sharpay’s sidekick Ryan and he got the character just right. Peter Angeli (Chad) and George Knight (Zeke) were excellent, George, in particular, is a joy to watch as he lives every moment of the script. Elena Noguchi was very good as Ms Darbus, suitably histrionic. Grant Clark (Coach Bolton) and Lexie Foley (Ms Tenny) both gave convincing performances.
Unfortunately, I cannot mention everyone by name but all the cast did well. I would like to have seen a bit more energy from the cheerleaders. Some of them were fine, but others need to remember that their job (as cheerleaders) is to motivate the team so more energy is vital.
The scenery was right for the show and the costumes were fine. I would, however, comment on the use of shiny makeup. Given that they were supposed to be school girls I felt this was unnecessary. Perhaps for Sharpay, although I don’t think it worked as the shiny, glitter, effect did not work well under stage lighting. Also, I have commented before about performers constantly pushing their hair back, off their face, because it was not secured. Rose did this constantly and it became a focus of my attention which it should not!
Overall, though, a good show which the audience and the cast clearly enjoyed.
Tessa Davies
Director & Choreographer – Emma Jane Sweeney
Musical Director – Ian Southgate
Performed at Ingatestone & Fryerning Centre on Friday 23 June 2017 at 7.30pm
I always enjoy watching youth groups perform and Young Expressions always deliver. The company has lost a lot its older performers but it’s nice to see the younger ones developing their skills and improving.
James Ravenscroft (Troy) and Rose Whitwam (Gabriella) were both good. They made a nice pairing and performed well. Ella Fowle (Sharpay) was good, with just the right amount of arrogance. Jorji Mersey played Sharpay’s sidekick Ryan and he got the character just right. Peter Angeli (Chad) and George Knight (Zeke) were excellent, George, in particular, is a joy to watch as he lives every moment of the script. Elena Noguchi was very good as Ms Darbus, suitably histrionic. Grant Clark (Coach Bolton) and Lexie Foley (Ms Tenny) both gave convincing performances.
Unfortunately, I cannot mention everyone by name but all the cast did well. I would like to have seen a bit more energy from the cheerleaders. Some of them were fine, but others need to remember that their job (as cheerleaders) is to motivate the team so more energy is vital.
The scenery was right for the show and the costumes were fine. I would, however, comment on the use of shiny makeup. Given that they were supposed to be school girls I felt this was unnecessary. Perhaps for Sharpay, although I don’t think it worked as the shiny, glitter, effect did not work well under stage lighting. Also, I have commented before about performers constantly pushing their hair back, off their face, because it was not secured. Rose did this constantly and it became a focus of my attention which it should not!
Overall, though, a good show which the audience and the cast clearly enjoyed.
Tessa Davies