'High School Musical'

Jim Thorpe Area High School will present "High School Musical" at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Based on the popular Disney Channel movie, the musical follows the story of Troy, a star athlete, and Gabriella, an academic type, who fall for each other during a karaoke performance over winter break from school. When they return to campus and audition for the school's musical, a jealous classmate conspires to ruin their chances.

Troy and Gabriella have to manage their other obligations and make it to play practice at the same time, and deal with pressure from friends and fellow classmates who see them as a threat to the school's social standings.

"It's so much fun, so much singing and dancing," director Natalie Kmetz said.

"It reminds me of a modern day version of Greece - they meet, they fall in love in the midst of all the confusion, they have a decathlon going on, they have a championship basketball team going on, and they have tryouts for the play."

The team had to come together and ramp up practice efforts lately to make up for missed opportunities during the winter, but Kmetz - who has directed "High School Musical" before - and the players have come through with a promises of a top-notch performance.

"I really liked "Get'cha Head in the Game,"' David Bowen, who plays Troy, said of his favorite song in the show.

"I didn't think I would be very good at it, because I'm not a typical jock in real life. But, I managed to pull it off."

"I just love working with all the kids," Brooke McElmoyle, who plays Gabriella, said.

"It's just really fun working with everyone and building friendships based on what we love to do."

Tickets are $5.

Cast members include David Bowen as Troy, Brooke McElmoyle as Gabriella, Carson Queen as Ryan, Molly Behan as Sharpay, Robert Renode as Chad, Max Pfeiffer as Zeke, Emilio Mercado as Emilio, Brelle Long as Taylor, Sophia Samoleski as Martha, Kellee Jo Kleintop as Ms. Darbus, Siobhan Kleintop as Coach Bolton and Mikaylah Pruitte as Kelsi.

Also, Ashley Hill as Ripper and Cyndra, Stephanie Dykas as Jackie Scott, Lexi Hill as Kathy, Erin Remmel as Jamie, Cassidy Snyder as Susan, Aubrey Bonner as Alana, Hailey Wallace as the moderator, Kate Malay as Ms. Tenny, Nekya Strohl as Mongo, and the Jim Thorpe Area High School cheerleaders.

Natalie Kmetz is the director. Julie Romanisko is the choreography. Music by Barbara Cerimele. Sound by Lori Miller. Lights by Kelly McElmoyle and Matt Mottola. Backstage is managed by Rosie Trice. The stage crew includes Kaitlin Feller, Leticia Mercado, Emilio Mercado, Natalie Merrero, Gabriel Jusino and Alec Lauer.