Those of a certain age will have recognized Disney’s High School Musical – as staged by the drama students of Bow Valley High School last week – for the live version of the raucous and wildly successful film that it is.
Those of another era may have thought the classic 1980s TV series Saved By the Bell had come to life at the Cochrane RancheHouse.
Whatever memories it evoked for the audience, Bow Valley sold out the house for most of its four performances last week, and the almost two-hour production moved along at a galloping pace, with entertaining and well-executed choreography and 16 musical numbers that gave most singers in the cast a chance to show off their pipes.
Leads Ben Gofton and Alex Smith took on the task of transforming Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez – the basketball star and the brainiac – and they moved the audience through the tangled web of teenage love, as well as the musical’s main message: find the strength to stand up for what you believe in, challenge the status quo and follow your own passion.
Gofton brought a brave gentleness to his jock character that felt genuine and made those watching root for him to do what’s right and win the day, while Smith’s singing captivated the crowd and gave her the perfect platform to share her own character’s raison d’etre.
Darby Thorogood delivered a sassy performance as Sharpay Evans, the school’s ultra-thespian who is desperate for attention from both Troy and the student body as a whole. She used her physicality well – hair flips and foot stomps added to the fun of Sharpay’s already-lively personality. Thorogood dressed the part, too, which rewarded the audience with a full character experience from top to bottom.
Thorogood’s breakout moment came in Act Two, when she grounded Sharpay with a vulnerable and raw scene between her and her brother Ryan, played by Bradley Mitchell. These two actors had a natural chemistry that brought truth to their relationship, and Mitchell wowed with his own commanding voice and emotional openness.
The supporting cast also offered up a number of bright lights – namely Griffin Evans, whose humorous interpretation of basketball player-slash-baker was fresh and fun, and Brynn Anderson as Coach Bolton, who embodied her role with enthusiasm and energy. Brandon Polischuk also felt just right as Bolton’s sidekick Chad Danforth, and he played his character with authenticity and heart.
Overall, the students of Bow Valley brought their own funk and flavour to a well-known coming-of-age story – delivering an entertaining afternoon of theatre, and an important message of self-worth that resonated with an audience from five to 65 years old.
