SHOW STOPPER: Arielle Jacobs, left, stars as Gabriella Montez in High School Musical On Tour, which comes to Starlight Ampitheatre this week. Jacobs and many other cast members have performed the show more than 400 times.
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Disney’s musical brings kids in droves to theater
By: Kurt Kloeblen, Staff writer
To say Disney’s “High School Musical” has become a pop culture phenomenon might be a grave understatement.
The franchise, which started as made-for-television movies and will transition to the big screen in October, has captured the attention of kids throughout the country.
Kansas City kids and their families can now get an up-close glimpse of “High School Musical,” which opened yesterday at Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, and runs through Sunday.
The Broadway-style production will follow the same general plot as the first movie, with a few variations. Arielle Jacobs plays Gabrielle Montez, one of two lead characters.
Jacobs said she did not realize the popularity of “High School Musical” before joining the production.
“I didn’t know it that much,” Jacobs said. “In touring, I have just seen how much it is a phenomenon.”
Deena Moore has seen the craze firsthand with her daughter, Hannah, and the Overland Park Girl Scouts Troop 3069 she leads.
Nine girls in the troop will attend the musical Thursday, along with several mothers.
Mason said the franchise has plenty of draws for both kids and adults.
“It’s not only for the music, but how it relates to kids and what they have to deal with,” Mason said. “It deals with peer pressure, and if you are good at one thing, why can’t you do two? And it’s done in a way that is entertaining. The music draws you in. I know a couple of our girls know all the words to the entire musical.”
Mason’s troop will be among the more than 2,000 Girl Scouts who will sit in the audience during the show’s run at Starlight. The Girl Scouts will also set up an information booth at the theater. Those attending will get a special Disney badge.
Jacobs said she got the role of Gabriella after an unsuccessful tryout for the Broadway production of “Finding Nemo.”
“They said, ‘you’re not really right for this, but you should come back and audition for High School Musical,’” Jacobs said.
The current edition of the “High School Musical” tour has completed more than 400 performances. Kansas City marks its second-to-last stop on the tour before the tour finishes in Salt Lake City, where all three “High School Musical” movies have been filmed.
Jacobs said the live production will give even the most avid “High School Musical” fans some new things to chew on.
“It’s just a different experience because it’s live,” Jacobs said. “You have the whole orchestra and 35 cast members. There are also two new songs that you’ve never heard before. On top of the new songs, there is different choreography, different scenes and even a new character.”
In the production, Gabriella meets Troy Bolton while on winter vacation. A week later, she finds out the town she just moved to is the same town where Troy lives. The two go to the same East High School.
Jacobs said she feels a strong connection to Gabriella.
“In personality, in general, I’m a lot like her,” Jacobs said. “We’re both very naive and very innocent. I went through the same experience. I went to a new high school. My family moved across the country before I started high school and I didn’t know anyone else. I really like science class, I really like choir and singing shows. Like her, I had to figure out what I wanted to focus on.”
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The franchise, which started as made-for-television movies and will transition to the big screen in October, has captured the attention of kids throughout the country.
Kansas City kids and their families can now get an up-close glimpse of “High School Musical,” which opened yesterday at Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, and runs through Sunday.
The Broadway-style production will follow the same general plot as the first movie, with a few variations. Arielle Jacobs plays Gabrielle Montez, one of two lead characters.
Jacobs said she did not realize the popularity of “High School Musical” before joining the production.
“I didn’t know it that much,” Jacobs said. “In touring, I have just seen how much it is a phenomenon.”
Deena Moore has seen the craze firsthand with her daughter, Hannah, and the Overland Park Girl Scouts Troop 3069 she leads.
Nine girls in the troop will attend the musical Thursday, along with several mothers.
Mason said the franchise has plenty of draws for both kids and adults.
“It’s not only for the music, but how it relates to kids and what they have to deal with,” Mason said. “It deals with peer pressure, and if you are good at one thing, why can’t you do two? And it’s done in a way that is entertaining. The music draws you in. I know a couple of our girls know all the words to the entire musical.”
Mason’s troop will be among the more than 2,000 Girl Scouts who will sit in the audience during the show’s run at Starlight. The Girl Scouts will also set up an information booth at the theater. Those attending will get a special Disney badge.
Jacobs said she got the role of Gabriella after an unsuccessful tryout for the Broadway production of “Finding Nemo.”
“They said, ‘you’re not really right for this, but you should come back and audition for High School Musical,’” Jacobs said.
The current edition of the “High School Musical” tour has completed more than 400 performances. Kansas City marks its second-to-last stop on the tour before the tour finishes in Salt Lake City, where all three “High School Musical” movies have been filmed.
Jacobs said the live production will give even the most avid “High School Musical” fans some new things to chew on.
“It’s just a different experience because it’s live,” Jacobs said. “You have the whole orchestra and 35 cast members. There are also two new songs that you’ve never heard before. On top of the new songs, there is different choreography, different scenes and even a new character.”
In the production, Gabriella meets Troy Bolton while on winter vacation. A week later, she finds out the town she just moved to is the same town where Troy lives. The two go to the same East High School.
Jacobs said she feels a strong connection to Gabriella.
“In personality, in general, I’m a lot like her,” Jacobs said. “We’re both very naive and very innocent. I went through the same experience. I went to a new high school. My family moved across the country before I started high school and I didn’t know anyone else. I really like science class, I really like choir and singing shows. Like her, I had to figure out what I wanted to focus on.”