SCERA's stage version of 'High School Musical' a winner

HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL: SCERA Showhouse, 745 S. State, Orem; through Oct. 1; 225-2569; running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (one 20-minute intermission).

OREM — If you're looking for something upbeat, fun and very musically appealing, "High School Musical" at the SCERA might be for you.

This is a show that works on just about every level.

It's fast-paced, energetic, funny and entertaining — more so even than the Disney after-school special that rocketed to unexpected fame across the nation after it debuted.

It's really quite a feat considering the plot is thin and there are so many songs, but director/choreographer Mindy Young has managed to pull a stageful of teenagers into action.

Everybody stays in character. Everybody sings, dances and manages to avoid knocking over the person next to them.

The set — which looks like a typical high school gymnasium — is great and includes paper signs suggesting students vote for Young for East High queen and music director Jeremy Showgren and CEO Adam Robertson for school office.

There are clever little bits thrown in — like the cell phone tribute and the skateboarding dude — that make it topical.

And the leads carry off their roles superbly.

Veteran SCERA actress Kelly Coombs is an excellent Gabriella with a guileless smile and charm. P.J. Schwartz is a good Troy and tall enough that you can believe he's essential to the basketball team's success. (In the movie, he's a little short for the part.)

Kelly Hennessey pulls off the part of the narcissistic and slightly evil Sharpay Evans with aplomb, and Chase Ramsey is a logical Ryan Evans — he looks the part.

On the other hand, Eric Sackett as Chad Danforth doesn't resemble the Afro-headed Corbin Bleu from the film but brings his own nice touch to the part. Carrie Whiting does a nice job as Taylor.

The standouts in the cast include A.J. Nielsen, who plays the part of Jack Scott/"The Velvet Fog," the school's in-house television personality. He is right on the money with his humor and keeps the bits fresh and delightful.

Laurel Barham as the tunnel-visioned drama teacher, Ms. Darbus, is wonderfully creative and enjoyable to watch. She buys into the part so completely that it's easy to follow her lead.

Katelyn Gallagher as Kelsi is also very good. She's shy without being withdrawn and makes a real person out of her character in the brief moments she has onstage.

This is a remarkable production, one that has you checking your watch at the end to see if it's really been 2 1/2 hours.

The only criticism? The intermission on opening night went on far too long and there were a couple of sound and script glitches.

Go see this if you get the chance. It's a rare treat and clearly a party for all.

---

E-mail: haddoc@desnews.com