High School Musical Set to perform in San Bernardino Ca
HighSchool Musical Set to perform in San Bernardino Ca
The stage is set for a production that sparkles with sweetness and high energy.
A show seasoned with sugar and spice, high school friendships and amazing music.
Could it be “Grease?”
“It is a modern-day `Grease,’ said the show’s director, Geri Marquez, who has assembled a cast of 34 performers for the production - Disney’s “High School Musical,” opening Feb. 8 in Yucaipa.
The Yucaipa Little Theatre production marks the debut of the Disney musical in the Inland Empire, Marquez said.
“The girl is a brainiac, the boy is a basketball star, and they get together when they are forced into a karaoke performance,” said Marquez, who has been a teacher for 16 years. “They really click, their voices match, they discover their joy for singing.”
The cast, ages 12 to 40-something, is from all over Southern California, Marquez said.
The lead is played by Michael Hjortinez of Anaheim, a Disney performer who has appeared at the Disneyland Resort and in parades.
Marquez, a performing arts teacher at Terrace View Elementary School in Grand Terrace, said she loves working with kids because it’s such a rewarding job.
“Kids of all ages came out in droves to audition
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because the musical has become so hugely popular,” she said.
Some kids had to be turned away because they were too young.
“It’s amazing how many talented young people there are - the auditions were great. Because of the `High School Musical’ movie, some kids came in with a good understanding of what was expected of them,” Marquez said.
The show is designed to combat the power of peer pressure.
“The musical has a lot to say about respect, caring, friendship and the importance of being your own person. It teaches the value of following your own dream and that kids from different cliques can become friends and work together.”
The show also teaches many lessons about taking chances, breaking out of stereotypical cliques and the power of perseverance, according to Marquez.
The musical needed a large, talented cast to keep pace with the choreography, said Marquez, who also serves as choreographer.
“The music is the same as in the movie, with two additional songs,” said the veteran director. “We’re keeping the choreography true to the movie.”
The show will feature members of a local high school pep squad; members of the Arrowhead Christian Academy Drum Line are being featured in a pep-rally scene.
“We asked ourselves,” said, ” `What else can we do to give the audience a more exciting and unique experience?’ ”
By designing multi-level sets, the production team has almost created a theater-in-the-round, said Marquez, who directed the theater’s “Cats” production in September and the “Peter Pan” production in February.
“It’s definitely more visually appealing,” she said.
The characters are warm, funny and are realistically portrayed with some of the struggles faced by kids in high school and life.
“This production is sure to be highly entertaining with musical performances that are high energy and catchy,” Marquez said.
