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‘High School Musical’ @ Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THEATER REVIEW. Grade: B.
Go ahead. Call me a freak. I’m a 46-year-old theater critic for a major metropolitan newspaper, and I’m feeling the pure bubble-gum joy of Disney’s “High School Musical.”
In spirit, I’m right up there with the vibrating balcony of cheering tween-agers who rocked the Fox Theatre last night, as Atlanta witnessed the unveiling of the first professional stage treatment of the unstoppable pop phenomenon.
As directed by Jeff Calhoun for Atlanta’s Theater of the Stars, the tale of East High School’s colliding cliques of basketball players, thespians and brainiacs may not be a slam dunk, Broadway-ready, A+ production. (We’ll get to the demerits in just a sec.) But it’s a strongly acted, brightly designed, adrenalin-soaked celebration of the triumph of all things good and true.
And for a story based on such thread-bare plot material, stitched together by so much light-weight musical thread, it’s a surprisingly moving experience.
After Troy Bolton (John Jeffrey Martin) and Gabriella Montez (Arielle Jacobs) have a last-minute karaoke encounter during the final moments of their summer vacation (“Start of Something New”), fate brings them together again when Gabriella’s family moves to Troy’s hometown of Albuquerque. Before you can say “star-crossed lovers,” they find themselves reluctantly trying out for their high-school musical, “Juliet and Romeo.”
The only thing standing in their way are twin drama demons Sharpay (Patti Murin) and Ryan Evans (Bobby List), who have always gotten the lead roles and aren’t about to let these fresh-faced upstarts stand in their way. As the callbacks come down to the wire, Troy gets distracted by a big game, Gabriella gets recruited for a science competition, and arch-villainess Sharpay pulls the strings of drama teacher Ms. Darbus (Alison Fraser) to try to engineer their defeat.
Original writer Peter Barsocchini deserves low marks for the wretched plot. New librettist David Simpatico hasn’t done much to improve it. And with some 60 characters portrayed by 28 actors, a 14-member ensemble of “underclassmen” played by Atlanta youth, a marching band from Marietta’s Pope High School, a couple of Coke ads (the soft-drink giant is official sponsor) and a strained reference to Juliet’s balcony scene, the show is way too busy for it’s own good.
There are times when the stage is so full it takes a while to figure out just who is singing, and it’s a miracle that choreographer Lisa Stevens keeps the action from turning into a series of hit-and-run collisions. (I spotted at least one near-miss.) One major disappointment is that the snappy “Get’cha Head in the Game” fails to match the thumping, bass-driven hook of the movie and concert versions.
But what redeems this effort are the first-rate performances and, believe it or not, sheer catchiness of the pop, rock and soft-core hiphop tunes — written by a compendium of authors and adapted by musical director Bryan Louiselle.
The statuesque Martin is a triple threat: a sweetly likeable actor with a pure reedy tenor voice and, though he doesn’t dance much, a sense of elegant self-possession and grace. Jacobs nails the studiousness and vulnerability of Gabriella, and sings like an angel. The couple’s duet, “What I’ve Been Looking For,” will give you goosebumps. And after a lot of limp hand-holding and less-than-steamy eye contact, they finally get one big heartfelt kiss toward the end. Shocking!
One of the funniest things about “High School Musical” is that everyone has a crush on Troy, including Ryan (delightfully played by List) and Sharpay. New to this telling is an emcee character named Jack Scott (Michael Mahany), who makes up-to-the-minute dispatches over the school’s P.A. system. This velvet-toned “voice of East High” seems a little superfluous, but Mahany’s vivid, bespecacled treatment is imminently fun.
As basketball giant Zeke Baylor, who has a secret passion for baking pastries, Ben Thompson gets good mileage out of his character’s pursuit of the perfect creme brulee — and Sharpay. As Kelsi Neilsen, composer of the musical-within-a-musical “Juliet and Romeo,” Olivia Oguma is another adorably welcome addition.
One slight disappointment here is the way Murin underplays the venomous Sharpay. Murin sings gorgeously, but her demeanor is perhaps a tad too nice. This drippy-sweet show cries out for a little wickedness and outsize camp. On the other hand, Fraser’s wonderfully quirky Ms. Darbus is superb. If Fraser is going for Ruth Gordon, she gets it just right; and that, Diva Darbus, is a major compliment.
Also excellent are set designer Kenneth Foy’s bright approximations of the East High facade, locker room, cafeteria, gym, etc. — and Ken Billington’s nicely flattering lighting.
All in all, Theater of the Stars has done a knock-out job of putting this ambitious, overly complicated production into place. Should Disney ever decide to take “High School Musical” to Broadway, it has found a marvelous template. To quote one of the show’s hokey-sounding songs, “it feels so right.”
Now go ahead: Shoot me.
THE VERDICT: Good tween fun.
THE 411: $25-$66. Through Jan. 28. Fox Theatre. 404-817-8700. ticketmaster.com
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Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By MJB
January 15, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
We took our kids to the High School Musical, The Concert version, which featured all the stars from the movie. Although it sounds like the show at the Fox was good, I’m glad we traveled all the way to Columbia SC to see our show. Something about seeing all of the movie’s stars that made it more satisfying, plus they sang many of their newest songs from their perspective albums. Corbin Bleu shined brightest with his Push It song. He’s a star in the making. I would recommend everyone to see that show. Great time!
By Tennessee Sam
January 15, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
We had our 12 year old and 9 year old daughter’s at opening night and they loved every minute of the production. HSM is the new generation’s version of Grease and while the music, the dancing, the performances are very, very well done, we chose to bring out children to the Fabulous Fox as periodic reminders and temporary exposures to the arts, to tradition, and to the role of theatre in our world. Maybe someday we will concern ourselves with Tony nominations, NYT reviews, and other critical analysis, but not right now. If Disney can do for regional theatre what it has done for Broadway proper, the $66 a seat for HSM at the Fox was worth its weight in gold.
By Monica Torres
January 15, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
VERY DESAPOINTING THAT THEY DON’T ADVERTISE THAT THE SHOW IS NOT WITH THE ACTUAL CAST OF THE MOVIE. EVEN THOUG THE SOW WAS OK. IT WAS NOT WHAT WE WERE EXPECTING TO SEE.
By Hello? Monica? It's reality calling...
January 15, 2007 1:08 PM | Link to this
Monica,
If you bought tickets to any other touring Broadway show; would you automatically assume that you would get to see the casts from the movie or the original New York stage version?
For example, take the new stage version of High Fidelity. Would you assume that John and Joan Cusack would be starring in the stage version just because they were in the movie?
Do you expect to see Michael Crawford as the lead when Phantom of the Opera comes to town? Hey, All Shook Up is coming to The Fox. Do you expect to see the real Elvis there?
But perhaps I’m being to harsh. Perhaps if you attended the theatre more often you might have known not to jump to an irrational conclusion.
Grow up, do your research and don’t blame the producers for your stupid assumptions.
It was a great show and my kids had a great time.
By Regular Reader
January 15, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
I never jump in to defend anybody on these things but I probably should note in defense of Monica that there actually is a touring show of HSM going around the country right now that does feature the cast from the movie….Atlanta did not make it on the national schedule so a group decided to launch a local version of it instead.
the columbia sc show, for example, had the original cast from the movie.
By NYC Transplant
January 15, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
Kudos to Mr. Brock for a well written review. Regional productions should be as seriously reviewed as Broadway openings. This shows respect for the cast, the production crew, and the theatre. Regional theatre is vital.
Kudos also for the ‘Ruth Gordon’ reference. She was best known for Harold and Maude, but was also one of the finest and hardest working actresses in NYC. As is Alison Fraser.
By Kennesaw Mom
January 15, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this
I too thought this was the real cast. The cost for two tickets for me and my child was 152.00. The show was great! I didn’t expect not to see the cast. My husband got the ticket for Christmas for our daughter. He thought it was the concert. We enjoyed the show.
By Thrilled by it!
January 15, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this
Yes! it was “pure bubblegum joy” and it was magic. HSM Atlanta’s performance was thrilling, exciting, the balcony rocked, and there was an amazing roar of an applause and appreciation for this cast’s hard work. In live theatre, the first take is the only take, and there is no film crew resetting up for errors. C’mon, these actors pour their hearts and guts into each performance and deserve ALL the adulation at the end! Don’t miss it! Newsflash - a Broadway ticket is now $111 plus handling. Atlant’s HSM ticket is well worth it!
By You spoke, jock.
January 15, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this
I though that this production was absolutely brilliant! (Although my husband and I thought it was the movie cast) This cast was way better! The show is obviously made for the stage, and works better in this medium. IT KNOCKED MY SOCKS OFF! I mean…..Where are my socks? My kids and I waited by the stage door after the show to meet the cast, and they were all SO SWEET! I’ve never seen such a good-looking bunch of kids! HIP-HOP HOORAY!
By Kim
January 16, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
My 9 year-old daughter and her friend absolutely loved the show! She is the biggest HSM fan around. We knew to check to see that “Zak Efron” was not going to be there, so she would not be disappointed.
She thought the new actors were great- the singing and dancing & the show was even better than the movie!!! She want’s them to add the funny stuff to HSM #2. Great Job.
By ATLvstr
January 16, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this
This “reluctant” review is interesting…
It almost seemed like Wendell was desperate to find something to complain about, sandwiched between reluctant enjoyment of the experience. I was there opening night and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Like many other adults, I came in with the expectation of Disney schlock meant for tweens, and left with a big smile on my face, tapping my feet, humming the tunes, and a bit ashamed of my own closed mindedness.
Go and enjoy…the cast is amazing!
By Musical regular
January 16, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
I see many of the musicals that come through the Fox and I will tell you that this show was one of the most uplifting. I am a volunteer and when I arrived before the show I was wondering if an adult would really enjoy it. I knew nothing about it except for the fact that “Dancing with the Stars” Monique Coleman was in the original cast. That still told me nothing. As the show unfolded it did sweep you into its positive folds. I found myself smiling and really enjoying the talent up on the stage. As the AJC critic indicated, the plot and stage were a bit muddled, but that is also part of what made it entertaining, trying to figure out what was going on where. There is fun in that! It’s also a nice addition to have local Atlantans in the cast. I commend this wonderful heartwarming cast of talent. I recommend this to those familiar with “High School Musical” in other forms, and to those of us who are not but just want to feel our spirits warmed and lifted and to be reminded of our own High School days. Adults and children alike should have a blast.
By panda
January 16, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
ATLvstr has really got it right.
It’s fun to savor those rare moments when a critic enjoys a production he’s not “supposed” to enjoy, and lets his conflicts play out in print. You can almost see Wendell biting his lip as he realizes that in good conscience he must give “High School Musical” a positive review, while at the same time worrying that his fellow critics might laugh him out of the club if he does.
And so, he picks a few miscellaneous nits, but finally throws in the towel and goes for the gusto.
Not to worry, Wendell. You got it right in the end. We won’t call you a freak. Besides, the real critics this time are those packed houses who are rockin’ the Fox to its very substantial foundations. If the gang at the New York Times asks, we’ll all tell them you panned it. We’ve got your back, baby.
By Wendell Brock
January 17, 2007 8:37 AM | Link to this
Why, Panda, that is very sweet. Thank you. I am making a very rare blog comment to tell everyone how much I appreciate the feedback. And a special note to Kim: Zak Efron WAS there, as a special guest of Theater of the Stars and the Disney Channel. He was on about Row E, center orchestra section, and Theater of the Stars producer Nick Manos was spotted whisking him backstage at intermission to greet the cast. Just thought you would want to know the dish. Take care, everyone.
By Leslie
January 17, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
We were at Sun show with 1300 kids from National Junior Theater Festival-that was us in the balcony! We were treated to a special visit by Zac Ephron early Sunday afternoon. He answered questions and gave out autographed pictures. Thanks Music Theatre International, iTheatrics, and Disney.
By Jonathan
January 17, 2007 1:24 PM | Link to this
To correct the lady who wrote that there is a tour, it’s not a musical version, it’s a concert version. The Fox show is full designed by Broadway veterans with added scenes and songs. Theatre of the Stars has done an outstanding job.
By Terri
January 17, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
I took my 7 and 19 year old daughters to the show last night, and the three of us thoroughly enjoyed it! My 7 year old, who has seen the DVD a billion times, loved it and thought it was funnier than the original. My 19 year old loved the set changes (as did I - what energy!) and the over the top Ryan. The cast was great and the musical numbers such fun! Great performances, great music, great energy!
By Angry
January 18, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
It would have been nice to know when purchasing the tickets that the cast in this show are not the people who most of us were expecting to see. A bunch of no names, My daughter was very disappointed and so was I!
By disappointed momma!
January 18, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this
I totally agree with Angry. I feel like we should have been given the right information from ticketmaster when we ordered tickets. Not one place noted the change in cast. I wouldn’t have spent $250 for the four of us to see it if I knew that! I really feel like the energy level on Tuesday night’s show was so low due to the crowd’s disappointment with the cast. We prepared our children with the Zac Efron change, but didn’t know about the whole entire cast until they opened the curtain and we read the program. They did a good job, don’t get me wrong. I saw on the news (channel 2) today that a lot of parents are complaining about the way it was marketed. Ticketmaster erroneously wrote that the stars of the show would perform on their website. So, how is the public supposed to know what they are getting if they are led to believe it’s the real deal? Let’s stay on them and hopefully somebody will make it right!
By Loved it!
January 18, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this
To Angry, and Dissapointed Momma. I’m sorry you felt you were deceived. I didn’t see the Ticketmaster ad, but I do know that Playbill, Good Morning Atlanta and others interviewed the cast, and even had them sing. We saw last night’s performance and the house was rockin. As for being “no names”, take a look at this http://www.highschoolmusicalblog.com. Its a blog chronicling the creation of the stage show. Its a great inside look at what it takes to put on a show like this. My kids have been following it and writing to them. Yes, they actually wrote back. You should get to “know their names”. Some day you’ll say “we saw them at the Fox!”
By Annoyed
January 19, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
I thought the show was fun with the execption of a set of PARENTS in row BB who talked through the whole thing. The children were better behaved than they were.
By Erica
January 19, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
FYI When a production is put on by “Theater of the Stars” It is usually actors you’ve never seen before. When they say “Broadway” those are the real actors. I really enjoyed Theater of the Stars verson and my jock of a boy friend who hates musicals really enjoyed it too. So Good Job Theater of the stars!!!
By Jessalyn Anglin
January 19, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
I don’t understand the uproar for those who incorrectly assumed that the stars of the movie would be performing in HSM at the Fox. It was pretty easy to find this out before purchasing the tickets. Fox’s website clearly indicated that this performance was by Theatre of the Stars with a link to the Theatre of the Stars site. The Theatre of the Stars site had information about auditioning for the parts of HSM on their site (at the time tickets were going on sale), so it was very clear to me that it would not be the Disney stars preforming in it. Anyone should really take the time to research the production before spending $60 a ticket.
By SB
January 19, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
I absolutely loved the show. My cousin was one of the basketball players and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing him perform. The energy those actors portrayed were wonderful. Kudos to the cast. Job Well Done!!!!!
By Thrilled by it, take 2
January 19, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this
Anyone who was the least dissapointed just don’t understand; the movie cast is doing a “concert”. They aren’t acting out the movie’s story in a musical format. I doubt they have that level of skill or training. It takes much more professional training to pull off a LIVE musical every night. Read the program, the principals all have BROADWAY in their resume. They ARE PROFESSIONALS, and Disney wanted their high caliber for this show.
By panda
January 19, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this
Thrilled by it, take 2 has got it exactly right. The Atlanta cast, by any objective standard, has far more talent than the movie cast. The principals are all seasoned stage performers, and it is very unlikely that the kids in the movie have the talent or skill to pull off a top-to-bottom stage performance. Some of them, ahem, may not even be able to sing, if you know what I mean. There are many stage actors who are well-known on Broadway and throughout the “legit” theatrical world, and calling these seasoned professionals “no names” is discourteous and ill-informed. Just because you don’t know an actor doesn’t mean they’re not well known. And, isn’t it interesting that those who complained that they didn’t get to see the movie cast didn’t find fault with the performances that were turned in by this fine cast. In any event, the cast list and the creative team have been posted on the show’s website for weeks. All you complainers had to do was look.
By Reverie
January 20, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
I went with my wife (her birthday) my 9 year old daughter and 6 year old son and we all enjoyed it. In defense of the person that wished they had known the show did not have the original actors, I think it is possible this person had never been to a play before and they made an error. I think the vitriol in a couple of responses was pretty smug and childish and not worthy.
As for the show, I thought the play was fun and not as trecely as I expected. I sat next to my daughter and she whispered a running commentary pointing out differences between the movie (which I think she has memorized) and this production. She seemed to overwhelmingly enjoy it, praised some of the differences, screamed when the leads kissed and generally had herself a whale of a good time. My six year old son enjoyed it but the time of night caught up with him and he wound up asleep. I would encourage people to take their kids or just be prepared for a nice little morality play with catchy songs, not really tight dance numbers and a sweet message.
By Mike
January 21, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this
I play in the pit orchestra for this musical. I’ve seen them do this performance over a dozen times now, (and I’m not including all the non-public run-throughs) and they absolutely knock it out of the park.
Every. Single. Night.
Their pitch is dead-smack on the money, whether it’s solo, duet, or ensemble singing. You have no idea how difficult it is to do that, night after night, if you haven’t performed in a musical. In “Get Your Head In the Game” the passes, bounces and dribbles are all in time to the music. Again, this is extremely difficult, and they pull it off every performance.
Go see it, and take your kids. Explain to them that it’s a different cast than the film, but they’ll still really enjoy it.
By LaurieG
January 21, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
I was most disappointed that Atlanta was skipped for the concert tour. My 8 y.o. daughter (and 11 y.o. son) have enjoyed the movie. When I saw advertisements for High School Musical coming to Atlanta at the Fox, I was suspicious…Why would what is effectively a rock show be at the Fox? Why not at the Dome? Then I began digging further - and discovered that this was not the concert. It was something different. Before buying tickets, I explained what it was (and was not) to the kids and asked them if they wanted to go - my son said yes, but daughter said no. Because she’s truly the bigger fan, we’re not going. I’m still sort of frustrated that the concert is not coming to Atlanta.
By Ashley
January 21, 2007 6:20 PM | Link to this
I too am disappointed that it is not the original cast. Very disappointed.
By Dave
January 21, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Laurie G, Do you have any clue on what kind of shows are held at the Fox and the Georgia Dome? The Fox holds sevreal rock concerts every year and I don’t think the Georgia Dome has held a rock concert since Philips Area has been built.
Anyone who thought it was going to be the cast from the movie needs to wake up and join the rest of us in 2007!
By Lori
January 21, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
I LOVED it! I saw it with my 9 yr old daughter and I think I enjoyed it even more than she did. We knew it was not the concert - when we got our tickets it stated clearly that this was the “theatrical production”. Other choices for tickets in other cities clearly stated “concert tour”. It was not difficult to realize that the Fox production was not the concert, but I was surprised at how many people were confused and expected to see the movie stars. I was blown away by these talented young stars - Arielle Jacobs, John Jeffrey Martin, Patti Murin, Alison Fraser - the whole cast was excellent. I wish I could see it again and again, it is just such a feel-good show. My daughter was so excited that she was able to get the autographs of many of the cast members after the show, and we will look forward to following their careers. It was a wonderful theatre experience and a fun afternoon with my daughter - for a little while, you’d never know that 40 years separate us. I would definitely choose this theatrical production over the concert. My daughter of course wants this AND the concert!
By danielle
January 26, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
The show was good! We were sad it was not the original cast, however I knew it was going to be a different cast! Gabriella looked great and sang great! Troy was a major disappointment! The other basketball stars sang better than him. How did he get such a lead role? Dancing was excellent! T-shirts overrated and over priced. I was also sad no cameras.
By Andrea
January 27, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this
I think that the show is awesome. i agree that this troy is not as cute ( pointed out to me many times by my 11 and 13 year old nieces.) He did sing ok though, especially when singing with gabrella. I am also glad to see that the reviewer got goose bumps during their duet, I was starting to feel like a dork for getting goose bumps at a “Tween” show.
I enjoyed it. My almost 4 year old was so excited. And my nieces loved it. These kids are amazingly tallented, and it was so much fun to see the “underclassmen” what they call the “atlanta” kids. Those kids were going for broke, and they were so much fun to watch. The show pumps you up, I would see it again!
By out of towner
January 27, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this
I saw the show twice and Troy was my favorite actor. He’s adorable and his voice is amazing. I also saw the two Troys standing side by side, and up close, John Jeffrey Martin is the cuter one! Congratulations to the entire cast and production team for putting on such a great show, and casting it to perfection.
By esra
January 27, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this
high school musical is very cooooooooooool