Students take the stage in High School Musical By BRIANNA LUSK, Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 11:39 PM PST
Gabriela Montez (left, played by Tahnee Cadrez) and Troy Bolton (Simon Canalez) rehearse for the High School Musical at Southwest Performing Arts Theatre in El Centro Monday night.
JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO
JOSELITO/FEB 11, 2008
JOSELITO VILLERO PHOTO
FROM LEFT: Adriann Ramirez, who plays Ryan Evans, and Ashton Lang, who plays Sharpay Evans, rehearse for “High School Musical” at Southwest Performing Arts Theatre in El Centro on Monday.
Simon Canalez can relate to his on-stage persona, Troy Bolton, in more ways than one.
A baseball player turned center-stage star, Simon, 15, is an unlikely fit into the “drama kid” mold.
The character he will portray this weekend, Troy Bolton, is a jock who decides to audition for the high school musical.
“Singing is probably the hardest. I’ve never really done that before,” Simon said. “And I can’t play basketball (Troy is the star b-ball player).”
A cast of more than 50 students will take the stage when the curtain goes up this weekend on the Southwest Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts production of Disney’s wildly popular hit “High School Musical.”
Shows are scheduled for tonight, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Southwest Performing Arts Theatre in El Centro.
Admission is $7 in advance and $9 at the door.
The story follows a group of high school students as they audition for the school’s musical, breaking down barriers of clichés along the way.
Troy’s love interest, Gabriella Montez, is played by 15-year-old Tahnee Cadrez, a sophomore.
Tahnee said her character is shy and brainy, an unlikely match for Troy’s affection.
“She’s the new girl in school. It’s like a new Romeo and Juliet,” Tahnee said.
A “High School Musical” fanatic herself, Tahnee said being cast in the show was thrilling.
“I’ve always loved it,” she said.
Adriann Ramirez, 15, plays one-half of a power duo, Ryan Evans.
Adriann said his character is a twin to the more overbearing and domineering Sharpay Evans, played by Ashton Lang.
“He follows her everywhere but he’s trying to find his own way,” Adriann, a sophomore, said.
Ashton, also a sophomore, said it was fun to play the antagonizing role.
“She likes to be the star,” Ashton said of her character. “But she’s scared because she doesn’t like change. It’s a freak-out for her.”
SAVAPA coordinator Debi Buchanan said the show’s director Carlos Mendoza, artistic director Brian Wells and stage manager Jen Wheeler have contributed the high caliber of the production.
“The students have really gotten a taste of what it’s like to work in a professional production,” Buchanan said.
The high-energy show, she said, is expected to draw in sell-out crowds of families this weekend, she said.
And underneath it all is a universal message, she said, about breaking down barriers and stereotypes.
“Jocks, brainiacs … it doesn’t matter. Everybody can be a part of performing arts,” Buchanan said.
" How old are you people? It was a teenage performance for High School kids and younger, so if it didn't appeal to you, that would only make sense...
and southwest mock trial wins on fairness, not favoritism.
and troy is a hottie. "
alvarado401 wrote on Feb 20, 2008 1:09 PM:
" troy is such a h0ttie "
Lupecito wrote on Feb 17, 2008 6:30 PM:
" Well, I must say that HSM was the best show I've seen at SHS yet. Although some of the cast was sub par, the energy was surprisingly high. Tahnee Cadrez very much impressed me. The one thing I've consistently noticed about SAVAPA shows is that their singers tend to keep it very quiet. Why, I don't know. I would love to hear them reach their full potential. Belt it out, SAVAPA! "
Lupecito wrote on Feb 16, 2008 1:54 PM:
" Thanks chels86. I wonder if SHS has ever seen a Brawley show. And at Brawley for the musicals, they actually use a band. SHS has an orchestra, don't they? Why don't they use a live band? All of the music is karaoke and the singers sound like karaoke quality! "
chels86 wrote on Feb 16, 2008 1:52 PM:
" Lupecito is right! IDK why people don't go to Brawley shows that much! I didn't even know about OFOTCN until the last night, but luckily I got a ticket at the door. It seems like Brawley kids perform more drama. SHS do the same lame happy stuff we've all seen before, like Wizard of Oz last year and HSM. OMG, they aren't even talented! The girl who played Belle in Beauty and the Beast 2 years ago was not very good! "
Lupecito wrote on Feb 16, 2008 1:47 PM:
" I have never understood why people think southwest shows are the best. I mean, they constantly sell out, if not very well, and shows performed by Brawley High struggle to find audiences. The wierd thing is, Brawley shows tend to be much better! They have some really talented kids. And when I watch a southwest show, it's just like the movie version. Brawley shows dare to be different. Oh, and why wasn't there an article on Brawley's production of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest? It was simply brilliant. They got a full house each night, so maybe they didn't need the IV Press.
Oh well... Brawley beat southwest in Mock Trial! "
arrdpr wrote on Feb 15, 2008 12:08 PM:
" I have been attending Southwest's stage performances for the last three years. The professionalism of the students and the caliber of the performances makes this yearly event a must see. I’m sure this years performance will be fantastic. "
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Edrn wrote on Feb 25, 2008 12:01 PM:
and southwest mock trial wins on fairness, not favoritism.
and troy is a hottie. "