Hudson Park High School is bringing the enduring magic of cult classic, High School Music to the local stage for the first time ever next week Tuesday even though, when the movie came out in 2006, most of the Hudson Park High School cast members weren’t born yet.
Director, choreographer and vocal coach Nasine van Rensburg Boltt, said the cast was working hard to put on a great show. The cast are aged 14-18, which means the oldest cast member was born the year the movie came out.
“It’s quite funny, because our musical director and I are both 35 and 36, so we were in high school when it came out. I was elated when it was confirmed we were doing HSM. All three movies were so special, and I still watch them.
“These children have worked so hard and are all so amazing. They bring me to tears when I watch them,” Van Rensburg Boltt said.
The cast consists of 35 pupils and a production team of 20 people, including tech and crew. Hudson Park’s teachers also assisted behind the scenes.
The story will remain the same, but Van Rensburg Boltt said there’s one big difference to the movie.
“The stage version follows the exact same plot line, with the same characters that we all know and love.
“The only difference is that there are additional songs, which makes it a ‘fuller’ musical and add more depth into the plot line. Disney adapted High School Musical for the stage and that is where all the changes were made. We didn’t make any changes ourselves as they are super strict with that when it comes to licensing the material.
“Audiences can expect brilliant voices and harmonies, energetic choreography, with dazzling costumes, backed by an all-star band conducted by our head of music, Wesley Wong.”
Hlabelela Booi, the grade 10 pupil, who will play the role of Troy Bolton, said: “I was scared about auditioning, but thanks to my vocal teacher and director Mrs Van Rensburg for encouraging me to audition. Without her, I wouldn’t be East High’s very own Troy Bolton,” Booi said.
Lisolethu Mandleni, who will play Gabriella Montez, said this experience helped her step out of her comfort zone.
“The best way to describe it is ‘the start of something new’.”
The show will run from Tuesday August 6 to Saturday August 10 at the Gibson Kente Theatre at Hudson Park High School. Tickets are available at the school office, ranging from R80-R100.
