'High School Musical': Little Theatre kicks off new season with cast of 55 youth

SIKESTON -- The new season of the Sikeston Little Theatre opens with a musical production the all-youth cast has grown up with -- Disney's "High School Musical."

Set for 7 p.m. today, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, the Disney Channel's hit movie-musical comes to life on the Little Theatre stage.

Jeremiah Dunmyer said he was "super-pumped" about the Theatre presenting the show and directing it.

"'High School Musical' is a challenge," said Dunmyer who co-directed the Little Theatre's production of "Beauty and the Beast." "There's a lot of pressure to get it right because it's a very popular show. Everybody in the cast grew up watching High School Musical. It's a clean, modern version of 'Grease,'" Their story, their lives, the kids can relate to it."

Little Theatre's production follows the same storyline as the movie and spectators will hear familiar songs, such as "Stick to the Status Quo," according to Dunmyer.

"High School Musical" follows star athlete Troy who falls for brainy Gabriella while singing karaoke on a ski trip during winter break. The two come face to face again when they return to school at East High and end up causing an upheaval when they decide to audition for the high school musical. Although many students resent the threat posed to the "status quo," Troy and Gabriella's alliance eventually opens the door for others to shine as well.

"You see this great story unfold," Dunmyer said. "It's a love story in away and also the great part of it I absolutely love is it's breaking stereotypes."

It's about breaking down barriers, he said.

"It's a wonderful story we all should welcome and embody," Dunmyer said.

Little Theatre used Musical Theatre International's stage adaptation of the musical, which Dunmyer said, was very well done.

"Now you have to take the story written and present it, and one thing we are always trying to get better at is making our shows smoother. We want you to see our show like a movie or a show at the Fox Theatre or Orpheum," Dunmyer said. "We want you to sit down and watch a show and it flow."

Dunmyer, who is directing his seventh SLT production with "High School Musical," said everything has gone great.Serving as assistant director is Cody Smither.

"The biggest challenge was navigating the kids' schedules over the summer," said Dunmyer.

Not complaining at all, but Dunmyer said it proved challenging to schedule rehearsals around camps, family vacations and other activities.

"We just had to balance that and know they would come back and do the show," Dunmyer said.

Leading the cast of 55 youth in sixth through 12th grades are Garret Smith as Troy Bolton, Desiree Hicks as Gabriella Montez, Jenny Duncan as Sharpay Evans, Layne Collier as Ryan Evans, Spencer Raymond as Chad Danforth, Brylie Noe as Taylor McKessie, Drew Rodgers as Karaoke M.C., and Brynna Wiese as Ms. Darbus.

"It is the team that makes a show," Dunmyer said. "Having a team -- a crew -- is so important and I never ever want to have a cast party. It's always a cast and crew party because the crew is so important to the show and the show wouldn't go forward without them. Just like the crew couldn't put the show on without the cast.

The crew includes Jill Stroud, stage manager; Eugene Stroud, set director; Wayne Noe, technical director; Sue Noe, photographer; Brock Thornsbrough, music director; Dunmyer's wife, Jennifer Dunmyer is the director of choreography; and many more.

There are also the actors' parents who help and volunteer with the production, he said.

"It's a complete organization. We're practically working a full-time job but we're working great environment for the kids and adults alike," Dunmyer said.

"Everyone has worked so hard," Dunmyer said.

Other productions slated for this season include the full musical, "The King and I," in November; children's musical with a title to be named for late February; "Nightfall with Edgar Alan Poe" in mid-April; and musical, "Big Fish" in June.

"We want to go with shows that are popular and shows people will love and something that we can put on at a time period that will will them to be more involved," Dunmyer said.

In the meantime, audience members of all ages will enjoy the Little Theatre's season-opener, Dunmyer said.

"It's a clean and tenderhearted story and a little bit of drama and a bit very much a family story," the director said. "It's a rollercoaster ride that keeps going. It never stops."