Smithee gets a big chill at 'High School Musical' on ice

Arts and Culture

Disney's kid-friendly teen musical hits the ice.

"High School Musical: The Ice Tour" is coming to Atlanta's Philips Arena Wednesday. So the AJC sent me -- esteemed Movies & More columnist Alan Smithee -- to Hampton, Va., to check out the show before it gets here. You think maybe Sharpay's in this truck?

That's Mike Lucas and he's doing what Disney does best: selling things people really don't need. Mike's from Pittsburgh. Here's his banter: "You girls are so quiet. Were you just screaming in the van? ... Well, I don't know if you came in a van." Oh, yes, Mike, they did.

The skaters go round and round and round in what minimal ice rink props suggest their high school lunchroom.

Performing the part of Troy, Brad Santor skates alone under a shining spotlight. And I'd say I lucked out in getting a good seat.

You think it odd they're skating with baseball bats? That's nothing. Before the show's over they've skated with cell phones, basketballs, sheet music and a cello.

In case you can't see all the prices: diary, $20; jewelry set, $20; light-up glasses, $15; teddy bear, $22; commemorative dolls, $22; jacket, $45; pink bling T-shirt, $35.

The skaters do their best move ⿿- raising their hands in the air to accept applause. And, no, unfortunately that's not Sharpay.

Told you. Every few seconds they must acknowledge cheers (screams, really) from the mostly very young crowd.

As the show ends (and your wallet contents have been depleted), many of the skaters wave bye-bye.

Here's my sure-to-be Pulitzer-winning photo of a cheery discarded item found nestled in the grass outside Hampton's coliseum.

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"High School Musical: The Ice Tour" is coming to Atlanta's Philips Arena Wednesday. So the AJC sent me -- esteemed Movies & More columnist Alan Smithee -- to Hampton, Va., to check out the show before it gets here. You think maybe Sharpay's in this truck?

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