Reviews: High School Musical at Clarksburg High School
by Noah Kirkland of Quince Orchard High School
Lockers slammed in rhythmic bursts as clusters of students filled the stage, jocks dribbling basketballs in sharp unison, thespians gesturing dramatically under fluorescent light, and brainiacs clutching books like armor against expectation. Beneath the buzz of overlapping identities and unspoken rules, Clarksburg High School's High School Musical emerged as a vibrant collision of cliques and courage.
High School Musical follows Troy Bolton, a star athlete, and Gabriella Montez, a reserved academic, as they navigate identity, expectation, and unexpected connection after auditioning for their school musical. Originally released as a Disney Channel film in 2006, the story quickly became a cultural phenomenon, leading to a stage adaptation that has since been widely produced in theaters around the world. With music by Matthew Gerrard and Robbie Nevil, among others, and a book by David Simpatico, the show retains its signature energy while translating its message of individuality and unity to the stage. Its enduring popularity lies in its ability to reflect the pressures of adolescence while celebrating the courage it takes to break free from expectation.
Connor Choi's Troy Bolton anchored the production with emotional sincerity and vocal finesse. His tone was rich and controlled, but it was his vulnerability, especially in moments of indecision, that made his performance compelling. In "Get'cha Head in the Game," Choi delivered precision and power, balancing athletic choreography with clean, expressive vocals. His chemistry with Maggie Heyman's Gabriella felt genuine and grounded, while his dynamic with Vinayak Babu Ganesh's Chad highlighted Troy's internal tug-of-war between loyalty and self-discovery.
Savin Criddle's Sharpay Evans was a masterclass in theatrical extravagance, commanding attention with every calculated gesture and exaggerated expression. Her physicality was bold and intentional, embodying Sharpay's relentless drive and unmistakable flair. In contrast, Evan Barnes's Ryan Evans offered a subtler comedic presence, his understated reactions and timing providing a perfect counterbalance. Together, their rendition of "What I've Been Looking For" sparkled with sibling chemistry, capturing both their polished unity and underlying rivalry with effortless charm.
The lighting team, led by Vick Peterson with Olivia Lee, Brian Valeri, and Noel Haile, transformed the stage into a dynamic emotional landscape through intentional color storytelling. Each hue carried symbolic weight: purple tracing Troy and Gabriella's connection, orange highlighting the pull of basketball, and green underscoring Troy's internal conflict. These choices translated seamlessly in performance, with crisp, clean transitions, especially during "Get'cha Head in the Game," elevating the visual rhythm of the show. The cyc's shifting palette not only clarified narrative tension but also reflected the gradual blend of identities, culminating in a unified red that marked the school's transformation.
Choreographer Halle Eades crafted movement that was as narratively driven as it was electrifying. Drawing from musical theatre, hip-hop, and cheer influences, the choreography emphasized both division and unity, with sharply defined group movements that gradually merged as the story progressed. Numbers like "Stick to the Status Quo" thrived on this contrast, while the cheerleaders delivered particularly high-energy, polished performances that commanded attention. Eades's structured yet adaptive process resulted in choreography that felt cohesive, accessible, and undeniably vibrant.
Clarksburg High School's High School Musical captured the chaos and charm of adolescence with striking authenticity, transforming a familiar story into something immediate and alive. Much like the cliques that first defined its world, the production began in separation, but by the final number, it proved that maybe the real status quo was never meant to be stuck to in the first place.
by Alden Walcott of South Lakes High School
Grab your bedazzled microphones and callback sheet music, because every hallway is a stage at Clarksburg High School's production of High School Musical! With pitch-perfect energy, Clarksburg reminds us that the ultimate power play is finding your own voice.
A stage version of the hit 2006 Disney Channel movie, High School Musical, written by David Simpatico with music adapted by Bryan Louiselle, premiered at Stagedoor Manor theater camp before launching national tours and thousands of high school productions. It follows East High basketball star Troy Bolton as he balances leading his team to the championship with a newfound love interest, science phenom Gabriella, whose love of singing awakens his inner voice, leaving them both questioning which passion to pursue. As reigning theater diva Sharpay defends her spotlight and their busy schedules clash, Troy and Gabriella must decide, do they "stick to the status quo" or let their voices soar?
Maggie Heyman brought an endearing mix of innocence and charisma to her portrayal of Gabriella Montez, as comfortable explaining the Pythagorean Theorem as mastering her smooth, pop-inspired vocal runs. Her purposely awkward demeanor slowly evolved to reveal a warmth that drew in her classmates, culminating in a Y2K-era Renaissance woman who could win a science tournament then turn around and kill her winter musical callback. Heyman's charming Gabriella soared when paired with Connor Choi's earnest, quietly self-assured Troy Bolton. With his buttery-smooth vocals and pop-icon riffs, this basketball player turned leading man conveyed a palpable teenage sweetness in his duets with Gabriella, their voices blending magically as their confidence grew and mutual attraction deepened.
Though Troy and Gabriella were the heroes, the real MVP was pink-clad diva Sharpay Evans (Savin Criddle), who demanded the spotlight with her hilarious hijinks. Stealing scenes with relentlessly high energy and commanding the floor with the controlled growl of her belt and ever-present sparkly crown, Criddle's Sharpay was delightfully over-the-top, whether shamelessly autographing the audition sign-ups or being dragged offstage, kicking her legs in protest. Sharpay's bold sass and signature strut were matched by her twin Ryan Evans (Evan Barnes). Initially content with letting Sharpay shine, the jazz-square loving Ryan displayed a decisive character arc, the audience supporting him as he gradually stood up to his sister, calling out her theatrics and donning his own red-sequined jacket to showcase his dance stylings.
The halls of East High buzzed with an ensemble that was truly all in it together, whether on the stage or the court. The basketball team kept their heads in the game, their syncopated dribbling (right on beat!) drawing cheers for its precision, while even Ms. Darbus would love the cheerleaders' sharp movements and high-flying leaps that made everyone wish they were a Wildcat.
Like a pep rally no one wants to leave, audiences were transported to the best of high school through the creative technical elements. From its realistically-rendered cinderblock walls to the painted murals and built-in lockers, the set design (by Lauren Acker, Sasha Batista, Alexa Davaltova, and Vincent Fonseca) took audiences back to school with all the nostalgia and none of the angst. The choreography, by Halle Eades, had Wildcats everywhere cheering in their seats, blending pom squad precision with hip hop and nonstop energy, drawing inspiration from the Kenny Ortega originals while adding novel flair. The props (by Sara Perez, Kristina Bogojevic, Sofia Rickhoff, and the Props Crew) added a delicious sense of place, from podcast mics to a freshly baked cake for each performance.
Clarksburg High School's production of High School Musical reminds audiences that "we're all in this together" while they're dancing in their seats!