Theater Review:

Gotta sing, gotta dance - 'High School Musical' rocks Chico Theater Company
By VERDA MACKAY - The Buzz

Amanda Raynor (center, with microphone), leads part of the cast of Chico Theater Company's "High School Musical" in a song.(Jason Halley/The Buzz)

The floor shook and the air thundered on opening night when Chico Theater Company brought Disney's smash hit, "High School Musical," to its stage. It's a "gotta sing, gotta dance" kind of show full of color, flash and energy, featuring the hottest talent with 40 cast members.

When he greeted the full-house audience, the theater's managing and artistic director, Marc Edson, declared, "This is the biggest opening night in the history of CTC!"

"High School Musical" is a typical song, dance and romance show. Boy meets girl, and there are conflicts and misunderstandings, all set to music. Both attend East High School in Albuquerque, N.M., where Troy Bolton (Bryant Jarrard) is captain of the Wildcats basketball team. New student Gabriella Montez (Emily Peitz) is the beautiful and brainy academic club member. They break all the rules when they secretly audition for leads in the school's winter musical.

Twins Sharpay Evans (Grace Corley) and Ryan Evans (Tyler Davis) are thwarted in their bids for lead roles and plan devious ways to stop the competition.

Through it all, everyone learns about teamwork, acceptance and being themselves. The theme is, "I'm gonna be who I am -- who I want to be -- not what other people think."

This musical is an ambitious production with admirable results. Guiding the youthful talent in fun tunes and cool dance moves are Edson, choreographer Joe Garrow and musical directors Phil Morgan and Carol Lane.

Songs range from softly romantic to pop, rock, jam and jazz. Among them are, "Start of Something New," "Getcha Head in the Game," "Breaking Free" and a rousing finale of "We're All in This Together."
Leads Jarrard and Peitz have voices that please in solos, and as a duet they rock. Other leads, Corley and Davis, are terrific. She is the spoiled school star and he is her willing accomplice.

Supporting roles are smoothly portrayed. Jenny Sies as Kelsi Neilson, the musical's playwright, plays her part with amusing action. Casey McDaniel gets a lot of laughs as Jack Scott, The Velvet Fog of East High, who broadcasts confusing notices over the school's sound system.

Then there is the battle between the histrionic drama teacher Ms. Darbus (Tanya Fogleman) and basketball coach Bolton (Michael Fogleman). She strikes her gong and he blows his whistle in a complete standoff.

Michael Fogleman (as the basketball coach, center) gives a pep talk to his team in Chico Theater Company's next play, "High School Musical." (Jason Halley/The Buzz)

With this high-spirited large troupe of outstanding performers, it is impossible to name them all. It takes tremendous stamina to sing and dance such energetic routines. They are all to be commended.

Chico Theater Company presents "High School Musical," 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays through May 4, with 2 p.m. shows Sunday as well as April 29 at the playhouse, 166 Eaton Road. Tickets are $15 on Thursdays and $20 Fridays through Sundays. Add $2 at the door. Call 894-3282 or visit www.chicotheatercompany.com.