★★★★☆
A sparkling standout production of High School Musical is breaking free at the National Theatre in St Kilda! Live on stage for a limited season, this energetic production, presented by James Terry Collective, captures the fun, friendship and nostalgia of the beloved Disney musical. You will walk out feeling there’s not a star in heaven that you can’t reach.
Taking audiences back to the 2000s, this production, based on the iconic Disney movie, follows the classic boy-meets-girl story. Popular basketball star Troy Bolton (Gabriel Tiller) finds himself falling for book-smart, shy-natured Gabriella Montez (Sophia Kouknas), in a romance sparked by their shared love of singing.
As the students gather to audition for the annual musical, friendships, social groups and expectations cause numerous challenges. With Troy’s ever-growing sporting commitments and Gabriella’s academic ambitions, the pair find themselves facing a growing number of obstacles. Meanwhile, twins Sharpay (Meg Williams) and Ryan (Josh Gates) Evans plot to compete for the spotlight.
Celebrating first love, friendship, individuality and courage, the musical’s message has always been that we don’t need to conform to a single idea of who we are. We should have the freedom to explore our interests, follow our dreams and forge our own path in life. Happiness doesn’t have to come from fitting neatly into a stereotype or choosing just one avenue. We can be many things, pursue many passions and still find our place in the world.
The creative team makes every dance number bop to the top, with colourful choreography, familiar songs and plenty of sparkle. Capturing the highs and lows of teenage life, we are taken through classes, extra-curricular activities, school competitions, first love, friendship and all the gossip that comes with high school. It’s a nostalgic trip back to a time when there was no social media and flip phones were a big thing!
The talented cast brings the production to life with infectious enthusiasm. They look like they are having the time of their lives, throwing themselves into every move and reminding us of those iconic Disney dance steps.
Setting the audience up to visit the hallways of East High, Gabriel Tiller as Troy Bolton oozes charisma and charm with his warm smile and a natural confidence, making him an instant favourite around the East High lockers.
Paired with Sophia Kouknas as Gabriella Montez, the couple’s vocals simply soar. Kouknas brings a warm innocence to Gabriella. Her radiant presence captures the character’s quiet strength as she navigates the pressures of teenage social drama without compromising her self-respect or boundaries.
Meg Williams’ Sharpay Evans is deliciously theatrical as she embraces every dramatic possibility a school production can offer. As her vivacious brother Ryan, Josh Gates brings plenty of glossy charm, and the pair’s impeccable comedic timing makes them a fabulous double act!
Massimo Zuccara as Chad brings an engaging presence to the stage, while Rufaro Zimbudzi as Taylor offers a natural radiance in her performance. Together, the pair add layers of personality to the mix.
Sarah Wood is creatively engaging as Kelsi Nielsen, while Evan Evans is authentic and lovable as Zeke Baylor. Lachie Beck brings plenty of exuberance to Jack Scott, and Ella Spiniello is delightfully quirky as Martha Cox.
The dynamic ensemble is complemented by Chelsea Plumley’s wacky portrayal of Ms Darbus and Adam-Jon Fiorentino’s forthright Coach Bolton. They allow the cast to bounce off each other’s energy, with each character bringing their own individuality to the stage.
Choreographers Callum Marshall and Issy Fox have created a stunning array of dances, executed with a fiercely contagious positive energy. Musical director David Youings keeps the music bright and energetic, allowing the familiar songs to shine. The band is superb, bringing a brightness to every note and sending the audience grooving out the doors.
The costumes are perfectly judged, capturing the look audiences will remember from the movie. They also help define each character while allowing the performers plenty of freedom of movement. Jason Bovaird’s lighting is designed with boldness and amplifies the energy on stage.
There are so many standout moments, including the electrifying opening number, the duet harmonies, the flips and tricks, every moment of Get’cha Head in the Game, Troy’s final goal, and the animals at detention, which has to include a huge shout-out to the earthworm.
As the final curtain came down to a standing ovation, the opening night crowd was full of joy. Words of positivity could be heard throughout the theatre, including “What a wonderful show to introduce kids to musical theatre!” and “It was SO good!”
High School Musical is the yearbook you’ll keep reaching for, bringing back memories of friendship, first love, school days and dreams of what might come next. James Terry’s vision keeps the Wildcats spirit alive, delivering a production that fills the stage with irresistible energy.
High School Musical is presented by James Terry Collective. It runs to 13 September at the National Theatre, 20 Carlisle Street St Kilda Vic 3182.
Tickets: https://nationaltheatre.org.au/disneyshighschoolmusical/
Website: https://www.hsmonstage.com.au/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/highschoolmusicalau/
Photo credits: Ben Fon, Matthew Chen
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