Issue date: 7/18/07 Section: Lifestyles

Media Credit: Steve Berry Recent Edwardsville High School grad Brandon Raab, styles his hair before going on stage in Dunham Hall as "High School Musical's" Troy. Summer Showbiz presents the last run of this production at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 19, through Sunday, July 22.

Pop culture juggernaut "High School Musical" has made its way to SIUE as the latest Summer Showbiz 2007 production.

The play, which was adapted from the 2006 Disney movie, has raked in thousands of dollars at other venues and is now playing in Dunham Hall Theater.

A sea of children in their "High School Musical" merchandise swarmed the theater opening night. The excited children outnumbered adults nearly three to one. Amazingly all went silent as the curtains opened, and stayed that way as they watched in awe as a popular movie came to life in front of them.

Director of Promotions and Marketing for Dunham Theater Lana Hagan said the play recently visited the Scottrade Center in St. Louis. Tickets, she said, were as much as $100 a piece.

"I thought it was expensive," Hagen said. "I decided right then and there that people needed to see this."

Hagan said the faculty of the SIUE Theater Department decided to bring this show to Edwardsville.

"(We wanted) to offer entertainment at a price affordable for parents," Hagen said.

The play is an upbeat, colorful, peppy, clean nod to musicals of the past like "Grease" and "Bye-Bye Birdie." "High School Musical" offers a traditional storyline with fun songs that target a "tween" audience.

The term "tween" refers to those who are not children, but also not teenagers. They are between age classifications.

"High School Musical" director Peter Cocuzza feels the musical has a hip and interesting "Disney" message.

"It is a good piece of family entertainment," Cocuzza said, "it appeals to the community."

"It certainly appeals to the 'tween' generation," Cocuzza said, "everyone under 21 knows of it."

The play's decidedly clean message of challenging the status quo is delivered through catchy pop-style tunes. The young actors, many just out of high school, showcase their abilities from beginning to end.

Last Thursday's opening night went without incident. Sophomore transfer student Zach Paul said the group had been practicing since early May. Paul, who plays Alan in the musical, thought the night went smoothly.

"I thought (opening night) went pretty well," Paul said. "The kids seemed to enjoy it. Hopefully the next show will be as good or better."

The play will run through this weekend. Thursday through Saturday the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, a matinee will start at 2 p.m. followed by a singalong with the cast.

Tickets are $15, $12 for students and senior citizens. Tickets are available at the Fine Arts Box Office. For more information, call the box office at 650-2774.

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