'High School Musical' a captivating youthful spirit at the new Alhambra
Perhaps it's appropriate that the Alhambra Theatre & Dining's first full-run production since its rebirth is "High School Musical," which is all about defying expectations and breaking from the status quo.
"HSM" certainly isn't the typical production upon which Alhambra made its name. It's based on a Disney Channel movie, features a vibrant young cast and just about blows the doors off the place with its energy. "Brigadoon," this ain't.
It's an age-old story: Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, boy has to decide between his jock friends and his newfound love of musical theater. Young fans are probably familiar with it from the movie, and older fans will likely find themselves drawn into the story, even if they haven't set foot in a high school for decades.The cast is young, but not that young. The two leads, Tyler Ruebensaal and Rosie Mattia, are college graduates and the program notes that at least one of the cast members is a mother. Still, they are convincing enough as high schoolers. It worked for John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in "Grease," and the "HSM" cast is at least that convincing.
There are two "adults" in the cast. Alhambra veteran Lisa Valdini plays overly dramatic drama teacher Ms. Darbus, and interacts well with the students and with Jef Canter, who plays basketball Coach Bolton.
There aren't really any weak voices in the cast, but a few of the ladies in particular are powerhouse vocalists. Mattia, playing brainy Gabriella, can really belt 'em out, and Jacksonville University grad Renee Freeman was dynamite as Taylor McKessie. The play doesn't really give Freeman many spotlight moments, but she makes the most of them.
The plum role in the show is that of high school diva Sharpay Evans, a scheming villain in hot pink and sparkles. Katie Donohue draws some of the biggest laughs of the night when she complains about being named after a wrinkly dog (one of several points where the story diverges from the movie's plotline). The role demands that she be shrill for most of the play, and she plays it just right, but it would be interesting to hear what she really sounds like if she really cuts loose.
If you've been itching to check out the new Alhambra, which has been extensively redecorated since it closed in late summer, what are you waiting for?
Through Sunday, March 7. Call (904) 641-1212 for times and prices.
